Tehran DOE shuts down 22 polluting businesses

TEHRAN – While the provincial department of environment of Tehran issued warnings to over a hundred polluting business units in the first four months of the current Iranian calendar year (starting on March 21), 22 polluting units which violated the rules have been closed down, ISNA reported on Tuesday.

Cheetah cub wounded in car crash suffers irreversible spinal cord injury

TEHRAN — An Asiatic cheetah cub which had been wounded on August 7 in a car accident on Abbasabad-Mayami road, north-central Semnan province, has suffered irreversible spinal cord injury, IRNA reported on Tuesday.

Telling people the truth about water problem a must: DOE chief

TEHRAN – The chief of the Department of Environment Issa Kalantari has said that the government must tell the people the truth about water shortage as a serious challenge the country is facing.

Iranian ranger shot dead in armed conflict with poachers

TEHRAN – Iranian ranger, Ali Khajavi, lost his life after getting shot in an armed conflict with poachers in the southeastern province of Kerman, the chief of provincial department of environment announced on Monday.

Plan approved to fight SDSs in Tehran province

TEHRAN — A plan to tackle sand and dust storms (SDSs) hitting Tehran province has been approved, said the provincial department of environment’s (DOE) deputy director for technical affairs.

Tehran’s DOE to investigate reasons for ozone pollution

TEHRAN – Tehran province’s department of environment will hold a meeting to address the effects of temperature rise in increased ozone gas index (O3), the DOE’s deputy director for monitoring pollutants has said.

Ovine rinderpest in southeastern Iran under control

TEHRAN – Ovine rinderpest outbreak which had occurred in the southeastern province of Kerman, has been controlled to some extent, said the head of Kerman province department of environment.

Poor environmental policies lead to degradation of wetlands in Iran

TEHRAN – Poor policies currently being carried out in Iran are the main reason behind the degradation of many wetlands in the country, an environmental official has said.

‘Rangelands on the verge of degradation in Iran’

TEHRAN – In recent years, soil erosion, climate change, drought spells, overexploitation as well as over-grazing have led to the degradation of many rangelands in Iran, an official with the Department of Environment has said.

Iran to launch 100-day water and wetland scheme

TEHRAN – A 100-day environmental schemewith the theme of "water and wetlands" will be launched in Iran, an official at Department of Environment (DOE) said on Sunday.

MP proposes water, environment, natural resources ministry

TEHRAN — MP Abbas Papizadeh has proposed creation of a new ministry for water, environment, and natural resources aiming to supervise the current trend of environmental predicaments the country is facing.

Climate change takes center stage: 42% of islands in southern Iran could be underwater in 50 years

TEHRAN — Climate change is threatening to swamp some 42 percent of the islands in the Persian Gulf, southern Iran, in as little as 50 years, Parvin Farshchi, the deputy head of the Department of Environment (DOE) for marine affairs has said.

Majlis to hammer out bill against animal cruelty

TEHRAN – Bill against animal cruelty is being discussed in Majlis, deputy environment chief for natural environment Hamid Zohrabi has said.

By Maryam Qarehgozlou

Is Iran pulling out of Paris Agreement?

TEHRAN — While the cabinet of ministers and the Majlis (parliament) have approved the Paris Climate Agreement, the Guardian Council, that constitutionally holds veto power over all legislations approved by the Majlis, has not ratified the deal.

Neurergus crocatus spotted in Iran

TEHRAN — Neurergus crocatus, also known as Lake Urmia Newt and Azerbaijan Newt, has been spotted for the first time in Oshnavieh, a small town in West Azarbaijan province.

Euro 4 diesel in all Iranian roads in a month

TEHRAN – All the gas stations situated on the roads across the country will be provided with Euro 4 diesel from May 22, Mehr reported on Sunday.

Deadline for halting production of Euro 3 motorcycles extended

TEHRAN – Lack of required infrastructure both in the production lines and also in testing equipment of the Department of Environment (DOE) led to a 10-month extension of the deadline for stopping manufacturing of Euro 3 motorcycles.

Iran in pursuit of karst water resources

TEHRAN – Iranian authorities are going to study some regions across the country which have high potentials for having karst aquifers and determine the possibility of exploiting such groundwater resources.

Tehran, Sofia eye increased environmental co-op

TEHRAN – Iranian and Bulgarian officials held in meeting in Tehran on Tuesday, discussing ways to boost bilateral cooperation on environmental issues.

Wetlands destruction the main threat to curlews

TEHRAN – Destruction of wetlands, especially in Asia, is the main threat to curlews’ lives, said director general for aquatic wildlife office of the Department of Environment.

Iran may approve regulation to curb plastic bags consumption

TEHRAN – The Iranian administration will take the final decision by late June on approving a previously drafted regulations which aim to decrease the use of plastic bags in the country, an official with the Department of Environment has said.

Waste management, bane of life for Tehraners

TEHRAN — Waste management has set alarm bells ringing for the residents of the Iranian capital, Tehran, the head of Tehran province’s department of environment said on Friday.