TEHRAN — Sefid Kuh, a protected area in Lorestan province, is severely being threatened by mining activities, the chief of local Department of Environment in Lorestan, Mehrdad Fat’hi Beiranvand, said on Thursday.

Using traditional mining methods have brought severe environmental destruction in Sefid Kuh region, the Mehr news agency quoted Beiranvand as saying.

“It is vital to reconsider mine exploitation methods and use most recent technologies of European countries by employing methods which cause minimum or even zero damages and changes to the environment without explosions ripping through mountains,” he added.

Those who have mining license always greedily use everything to their advantage regardless of the harms they might cause to the nature and environment and they never bother to at least compensate the loss they have inflicted upon nature, he regretted.

Beiranvand explained that “the region has a great potential for mining which is to our benefit financially too, but we keep monitoring any mining activities watchfully to minimize any further damage.”

Another challenge that this region is facing with are the poachers who hunt various species such as wild goats. This and mining and farming activities along with the growth of urban sprawl has gravely challenged the wildlife in Sefid Kuh.

Sefid Kuh is a protected area stretching 69,500 hectares and has a mild climate and mighty rivers such as Kashkan which have turned it into an appropriate habitat for animals such as wild goats, brown bears, leopards and etc. that are unfortunately being threatened for some years now.
It is also a habitat to precious plants such as oak trees which are of great importance to the natural environment of the region.

MQ