Iranian desert to play host to environment-friendly car rally

TEHRAN – The barren, scorching Maranjab Desert, situated in central Iran, will be hosting tens of 4WD cars for a rally scheduled to be held on October 1 and 2.

By Faranak Bakhtiari

Quenching thirst of arid plains or jeopardizing nature?

TEHRAN – Transferring water from a basin to drought-ridden areas over varying distances is among the plans in Iran to quench the thirst of some provinces, while construction of such tunnels is inherently risky and can result in unpredicted events or irreparable environmental issue.

Coronavirus: Clean Cave Day to be observed under strict health protocols

TEHRAN – The Iranian Cave and Speleology Association has requested nature lovers and ordinary people not to enter caves on the Clean Cave Day, September 23, saying, this year the occasion will be observed under strict health protocols by experienced cavers.

Iran to try building homegrown capsule hotels

TEHRAN – Iran will be trying to domestically make sophisticated capsule hotels to promote cheap and basic overnight accommodation for travelers.

Tehran to hold virtual workshop on geotourism

TEHRAN – Tehran province’s department of cultural heritage, tourism, and handicrafts is scheduled to hold a virtual workshop on geotourism today.

International environment exhibition to be held in Tehran

TEHRAN – The 19th International Exhibition on the Environment will be held in Tehran on March 4-7, IRNA news agency reported on Wednesday.

Cloudburst closes UNESCO-tagged geopark in Iran’s Qeshm

TEHRAN – Severe rainstorms over the past few days have led to the temporarily closure of Qeshm Geopark in the Persian Gulf, aiming to safeguard eco-travelers and visitors to the UNESCO-registered site.

Birdwatching can propel tourism growth in Caspian Sea island

TEHRAN – Ashuradeh, Iran’s sole island in the Caspian Sea, and its surrounding wetlands constitute a rich ecological haven for many migratory birds. However, birdwatching has remained somehow an untapped potential for tourism growth in the coastal region.

By Afshin Majlesi

Tribal tourism gives chance to discover another face of Iran

For both domestic and foreign travelers, tribal tourism is all about opening eyes to new places, traditions, cuisines, beliefs, and ways of life.

President Rouhani invited to Hyrcanian Forest World Heritage celebration

TEHRAN – President Hassan Rouhani has been invited to attend a ceremony to celebrate registration of Hyrcanian Forest as a UNESCO World Heritage.

Some 2,000 old trees identified so far in Iran

TEHRAN – Some 2,000 old trees have so far been identified across Iran, which are deemed as reliable sources for proving history of the ancient land in terms of climate change, environment and geology.

Iranian on round-the-globe camelback journey hoping to save the animal from extinction

TEHRAN – Mohammad Amiri-Roudan, an Iranian traveler and athlete, who has commenced a journey across the globe on camelback, aims to draw worldwide attention to the Iranian Bactrian camel, which he says, is on the verge of extinction.

By Afshin Majlesi 

Iranian adventurer tells of journey to the North Pole  

The North Pole is one of the most remote, yet inaccessible places on Earth. However, it is possible to reach there particularly in June and July when the ice is thinner.  

Over 9,000 Tehrani children attend “The city I love” competition

TEHRAN – Some 9,400 children in Tehran have participated in a painting contest called “The city I love” on issues related to life in the metropolis, including environment and green spaces, transportation and traffic, urban services, cultural and social issues, recreational facilities, sports, and entertainment.

By Faranak Bakhtiari

Father of nature: a lifetime dedicated to environmental protection

TEHRAN – Gholam-Ali Beski, physician and environmentalist who dedicated a lifetime protecting the environment and promoting public awareness on climate change, passed away on Wednesday, leaving the nature to the people hoping for tougher measures to preserve the remaining natural resources.

By Faranak Bakhtiari

Does economic growth worth degrading the environment?

TEHRAN – Although environmental consequences of economic growth bring about numerous reactions of economists and environmentalists, there is still doubt that environment protection rules and regulations hinder economic growth, or future development has dire consequences on the environment which does not worth it.

Tehran sets record high for wildfires within 2 months

TEHRAN – The highest number of wildfires occurred in the capital during the past two months, as some 15 wildfires were reported in southern part of the city, Jamshid Mohabbat Khani, head of the Department of Environment’s protection unit has stated.

Iran observes national environment week

TEHRAN – The national environment week is being observed in the country from June 9-15, a few days after World Environment Day held annually on June 5, Mehr news agency reported on Saturday.

Action plans to tackle sand and dust storms to be completed by yearend

TEHRAN — There are some 20 million hectares of sand and dust storm hotspots in the country and some are in a critical condition, so the action plans to fight the storms will be completed by the yearend (March 19, 2020), deputy environment chief Masoud Tajrishi has said.

Iran’s DOE to launch rapid response programs in fire-prone areas

TEHRAN — With the onset of the warm season Iran’s Department of Environment (DOE) has ordered initiating rapid response programs in fire-prone areas across the country.

25% of waste produced in Iran recyclable: environment official

TEHRAN — Approximately 25% of the waste generated in Iran is recyclable, director general of Tehran province department of environment has said.

Iran, Turkey to boost co-op in environmental issues, waste management

TEHRAN – Iran’s Department of Environment (DOE) chief, Issa Kalantari, and Turkey’s Deputy Minister of the Environment and Urban Development, Fatma Varank, discussed increased cooperation on environmental issues and waste management during a meeting held on Wednesday.

Iran’s Human Rights Council slams UK crackdown on climate protesters

The top Iranian government watchdog on human rights has issued a statement condemning Britain’s ongoing crackdown on people protesting against its environment policies.

Leader plants trees on national tree planting day

TEHRAN — Concurrent with National Tree Planting Day, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei planted two fruit tree saplings on Wednesday.

By Mina Izadi

Land subsidence threatening the capital

TEHRAN - Sinkholes and fissures opening up the earth are gradually encircling Iran's capital city, threatening local infrastructure and people's homes.

‘Environmental education must be acquired at earlier ages’

TEHRAN – Environmental education has been included in the country’s school curriculum to prepare students for natural resources and environment protection, while it needs to be more efficient and acquired at earlier ages to make favorable cognitive and behavioral changes in the students, Mehr news agency reported on Sunday.

Majlis to assess Department of Environment performance 

TEHRAN—The agriculture committee of Majlis (Iranian parliament) will assess performance of the Department of Environment (DOE) since 2013, Tasnim news agency reported on Monday. 

Plan to combat SDSs in Tehran submitted to DOE 

TEHRAN— The plan to combat sand and dust storms (SDSs) in the province of Tehran is submitted the Department of Environment (DOE), an official with the provincial department of environment has said.