TEHRAN The Environmental Desert Swallow Society (EDSS) based in Meibod (smallest city in Yazd Province with a population of 60,000) was established only last year.

There has been a boom in recent years in the number of nongovernmental organizations (NGO) operating in the province although they are late in entering the scene of the nation's NGOs.

Recently the edss was appointed as the official representative of the nation's entire network of environmental organizations which comprise roughly 200.

The 1,200-member organization's main objective, as its name suggests, is environmental protection, which covers programs to attract greater public participation in its activities, raise greater public awareness on the dangers of pollution and the need to preserve natural resources as well as maintain a balanced coexistance with nature.

Local residents of meibod from all strata of society, including women, professionals and students, as well as residents of neighboring cities are encouraged to join the society.

Edss's secretary, Fatemeh Mossaddeq, said: "Active participation of people within the framework of ngo activities keeps them informed of ongoing events."

She added that the boom in the number of ngos in all areas of endeavor, particularly those dealing with environmental issues, underlines the role and influence the public can exert in determining the direction of administrative affairs.

Meibod is located on the fringes of Iran's Central Desert and, therefore, has no protected areas. Vegetation and livestock are scant and major industrial enterprises such as tile and steel-manufacturing plants are often threatened by sandstorms.

Moving desert sands also pose an environmental risk to business operations.

Recently, the society initiated a program aimed at keeping the public aware of existing environmental dangers and encouraging them to be personally involved in protecting the environment by participating in the posting of neceesary reminders all over the city.

The program includes handing out brochures to the public, screening educational films, holding conferences and exhibitions, arranging short-term training classes, excursions as well as research activities and encouraging the cultivation of trees. The activities are aimed not only at keeping the public informed but getting them personally involved in efforts to protect the environment.

The results of a recent public opinion poll conducted on environmental issues in meibod showed that the inhabitants have become more sensitive to environmental issues, a fact which suggests that the ngos behind environmental protection have succeeded in cultivating a culture of environmental protection in the locality.

"Since the public has been sensitized to environmental concerns, it is believed they can now rally support for their objectives among higher governmental bodies," officers of the society quipped.

The desert swallows that have reappeared provide concrete proof of the success of the ngo program.