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.

Iran, France discuss enhanced environmental co-op

TEHRAN – Iran’s Department of Environment (DOE) chief, Issa Kalantari, and France’s ambassador to Iran, Philippe Thiebaud, discussed increased cooperation on environmental issues during a meeting held in Tehran on Monday.

Viral 10-year challenge reveals effects on Iran’s environment

TEHRAN – Environmentalists took up the 10-year challenge on social media, posting photos of the lakes and wetlands drying up across the country, to raise awareness about the devastating impact of climate change on the environment, Mehr reported on Saturday.

Court suspends charges of espionage against environmentalist

TEHRAN – The attorney for environmentalist Sam Rajabi has said a court’s order has been issued for suspension of the persecution of his client, with regard to his charges of spying and participation in espionage.

Celebrities, green activists demand Rouhani to cast light on case of detained environmentalists

TEHRAN — More than 700 Iranian celebrities and environmentalists have signed a letter calling on President Hassan Rouhani to legally shed light on the case of 13 environmental activists arrested on espionage charges some 90 days ago.

Environmentalists question protected areas downgrading, downsizing

TEHRAN — A group of environmental activists affiliated with an NGO has made a statement questioning the directive from the Supreme Council of Environment on revision of national protected areas.

By Maryam Qarehgozlou

Deteriorating environment is waiting for the right decisions

TEHRAN — Did you know if you’re 41 or younger you’ve never experienced a normal climate, not even once? This was shared on Years of Living Dangerously, an American documentary television series focusing on global warming, Instagram page on March 6.

Goldfish on Haft Seen, to be or not to be?

Goldfish in fish bowl is more than alternative on Haft Seen, an arrangement of seven symbolic items traditionally displayed during the Iranian New Year holidays, Noruz, starting March 21.

Growing sabzeh, an eco-friendly tradition or not

TEHRAN -- Sabzeh, as one of the items of Haft Seen, an arrangement of seven symbolic items traditionally displayed at the Iranian celebration of the New Year, Noruz, is a symbol of livelihood.

The need to clarify speculations about death of environmentalist

TEHRAN — Following the death of Kavous Seyed Emami, an environmentalist, in prison on February 10, the hashtag #freeIranianConservationist has gone viral in social media in Iran.

By Maryam Qarehgozlou

Air pollution from a different viewpoint: ‘Cars need clean air’

Air pollution is a knotty problem of the metropolises of Iran. Currently seeing the azure sky is a dream that seldom comes true.

New environment chief warns of ‘disastrous’ water scarcity

TEHRAN — Water scarcity is Iran’s major concern and the situation is ‘disastrous’, the newly-appointed environment chief Isa Kalantari said on Monday.

Gahar Lake convenes environment lovers

TEHRAN - Environment lovers and environmentalists from around Iran gathered together on Wednesday at Gahar Lake, a freshwater lake located on the slopes of Oshtorankuh Mountain, western Lorestan province.

Hero soldier loses limb to save dog trapped in minefield

TEHRAN — Mohammad Bakhtar, a 19-year-old Iranian soldier, has been highly lauded after losing his leg while trying to save a dog trapped in a barbed wire fence around a minefield.

Nature village, a safe habitat for endangered wildlife 

TEHRAN — Dehkadeh Tabiat (literary meaning nature village) is actually a private wildlife reserve stretching over 10 hectares of land in the north-central province of Qazvin.