National plan for safeguarding Caspian seal drafted

TEHRAN – The Department of Environment (DOE) is preparing a national action plan on preserving the relict species of Caspian seal in cooperation with the responsible organizations, Mehr reported on Saturday.

No water transfer from enclosed bodies of water: MP

TEHRAN – According to the national budget bill for the next Iranian calendar year (starting on March 21, 2019), no water will be transferred from enclosed bodies of water regarding its probable environmental consequences, MP Nour Mohammad Torbatinejad has said.

By Jamshid Parchizadeh

What are the potential strategies to mitigate cheetah mortalities on Iran’s roads?

Collisions with vehicles are known to be a source of cheetah mortality in countries such as Iran. In Iran, the critically endangered Asiatic cheetah, with fewer than 50 individuals left in the wild, is particularly susceptible to this threat.

SDSs hit 120 villages in southeastern Iran

TEHRAN – Intense sand and dust storms (SDSs) left 120 villages surrounded by sandy soil in Rigan county located in the southeastern province of Kerman, the region’s governor, Amin Baqeri, said on Monday.

Expert predicts Iran to meet period of wet spells

TEHRAN – Statistics show that Iran’s weather patterns are changing toward entering a period of consecutive rainy days, but given the country’s climate characteristic constantly experiencing intense wet and dry spells, it is necessary to prevent high water consumption, faculty member of the Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands has said.

$215m to be earmarked for Anzali wetland nano bioremediation

TEHRAN – A total budget of 9 trillion rials (nearly $215 million) will be allocated to implement a scheme on restoration of the endangered Anzali wetland in northern province of Gilan by removing contaminants using domestic bioremediation nano-technology, ISNA reported on Wednesday.

Bike sharing program to develop in Tehran: mayor 

TEHRAN — Bicycle sharing program will be developed in the capital city of Tehran in a bid to reduce air pollution, Tehran Mayor Pirouz Hanachi said on Tuesday. 

Green standards to be set for retrofitting schools

TEHRAN – Green standards for retrofitting schools in line with environmental sustainability are being developed in an initiative between the organization for renovation, development and equipment of schools and Shiraz University, the organization’s deputy director has said.

Expert predicts 10-day ‘cold spell’ as of Jan. 5 in Iran

TEHRAN – Eminent meteorologist professor Hossein Ardakani told Tasnim news agency that a cold spell will hit the country and heavy snow will start, leaving freezing weather for 10 days on January 5-15.

E-waste segregation, recycling site opens in Tehran 

TEHRAN — An electronic waste (e-waste) segregation and recycling site was inaugurated in district 22 of Tehran on Monday, ISNA news agency reported. 

Migratory birds wintering in Iran increased by 26.5%

TERHAN – The total population of migratory birds took flight to spend the cold season in the country increased by 26.5 percent last winter compared to a year earlier, head of aquatic animals and wildlife affairs at the Department of Environment (DOE) has said.

‘Diesel particulate filter best option to cut PM 2.5’

TEHRAN — Installation of diesel particulate filter on vehicles is one of the best and cost-efficient measures to reduce small particulate matter of 2.5 microns or less in diameter (PM2.5) in metropolises, Masoud Zandi, head of the national center for air quality and climate change, has said.

Shahr-e Sokhta yields rare 4000-year-old relics

TEHRAN – Iran’s UNESCO-registered Shahr-e Sokhta has yielded tens of rare relics which date back to over 4000 years ago, IRNA reported on Tuesday.

Clunker cars cause 65% of air pollution in Tehran

TEHRAN – Clunker vehicles being responsible for 65 percent of the air pollution hitting the metropolis of Tehran, remain the largest source of emissions Tehraners breathe, member of the Majlis agriculture committee has said.

‘Climate change impact on Iran doubles world average’

TEHRAN – The effects of climate change on Iran has more than doubled on average compared to other parts of the world, while southern provinces of the country are more likely to bear the consequences, secretary of environmental policy at the center for strategic studies affiliated to the presidential office has said.

Gestational surrogacy an option for Asiatic cheetah breeding

TEHRAN – The Department of Environment (DOE) has considered using gestational surrogacy as an option to breed the endangered species of Asiatic cheetah, deputy environment chief for natural environment and biodiversity directorate has said.

Rain and wind to the rescue: Tehran air quality markedly improved in autumn 

TEHRAN — As per the data released by Iran’s Meteorological Organization as well as National Drought Warning and Monitoring Center with increased precipitation in Tehran air quality have noticeably enhanced in the capital. 

Annual dusty days up day-and-a-half in Khuzestan over 3 decades 

TEHRAN — The number of dusty days in southern province of Khuzestan have increased by day-and-a-half over a 30-year period per annum on average, the provincial meteorological organization director has said.

Rainfalls bring back life to Bamdej wetland, southwestern Iran

TEHRAN – Bamdej Wetland, located 40 kilometers northwest of Ahvaz, Khuzestan province, has been filled with water after autumn rainfalls, while suffering a significant drop in water level during summer, deputy director of Khuzestan province’s environment department general said.

International Mountain Day: Mountains are vital for our lives

TEHRAN — Almost one billion people live in mountain areas, and over half the human population depends on mountains for water, food and clean energy. However, according to the United Nations, mountains are under threat from climate change, land degradation, over exploitation and natural disasters, with potentially far-reaching and devastating consequences, both for mountain communities and the rest of the world.

Agricultural water use fallen by 40% in Lake Urmia basin

TEHRAN — Implementation of the Lake Urmia restoration programs applying sustainable agricultural techniques and water-saving measures, has led to 35-40 percent drop in agricultural water consumption in the catchment basin of the Lake, head of the Conservation of Iranian Wetlands Project (CIWP) has said.

Whooper swans come to northern Iran two weeks earlier

TEHRAN – Whooper swans, the last group of migratory birds spending winter in northern Iran, landed in Miankaleh wetland in eastern part of Mazandaran province two weeks earlier, deputy director for the provincial department of environment (DOE) has said.

‘Iran falling short of 5,300 rangers’

TEHRAN — Iran is facing shortage of 5,300 rangers, as there should be 8,500 rangers protecting the country’s natural resources and environment, however, there are 3,200 rangers working in the country.

Pollutants hit unhealthy levels in Tehran

TEHRAN – Tehran’s air quality index (AQI), exceeding 150 microgram per cubic meter, has been unhealthy at nine meteorological stations across the city, spokeswoman for Tehran Air Quality Control Company has said.

Green taxes not used for environmental development’

TEHRAN – While the Municipality of Tehran receives green taxes paid by pollutant industries, the money is not used for developing the environment or improving the industries, Ali Moridi, head of department of environment’s (DOE) soil and water office has said.

Blame-shifting keeps air pollution continuing: councilor

TEHRAN – Different bodies and organizations constantly try to shift the blame for the country’s severe air pollution to each other, keeping the current situation of air pollution alive, Tehran city councilor has said.

Siberian crane ‘Omid’ returns to Iran, brings hope 

TEHRAN — While there were growing speculations among environmental lovers as to whether the Siberian crane ‘Omid’ will wing his way back to Iran or not, the crane returned to spend the winter in Fereydunkenar, northern province of Mazandaran, once again 10 days ago. 

Winter precipitation to hit normal levels: IMO

TEHRAN — Iran’s Meteorological Organization (IMO) has projected normal precipitation amounts on average for the winter across the country.

Iran seeking possible inclusion of Aq-Qeshlaq wetland on Ramsar List

TEHRAN – Iran is seeking to register Aq-Qeshlaq wetland in the northeastern North Khorasan province on the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat, the provincial department of environment chief has said.

Air pollution leading contributor to NCDs

TEHRAN – Air pollution is the second most common cause of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) which has a high correlation with heart and brain stroke, diabetes and many respiratory diseases, deputy Health Minister has said.