Iran, Norway to enhance co-op in environmental issues

TEHRAN – Iran’s Department of Environment (DOE) chief, Issa Kalantari, and Norway’s ambassador to Iran, Lars Nordum, discussed increased cooperation on environmental issues during a meeting held on Monday.

By Faranak Bakhtiari

Massive water transfer projects not to ease acute shortages but cripple ecosystems

TEHRAN – Water transfer schemes looking attractive to many of those residing in drought-stricken central Iran worried about drought, not only does not eliminate water scarcity, but inevitably involves polluting the environment along with damaging agriculture, people’s fragile source of income.

By Faranak Bakhtiari

Qanat, a solution to water scarcity?

For many years, the country has been suffering from droughts and lack of water resources; wetlands, rivers, lakes and open drains have dried up gradually. While experts believe that the current water scarcity is due to poor water management policies, do qanats give us the right policy?

‘Water transfer from Sea of Oman entails no considerable environmental risk’

TEHRAN – Transferring water from Sea of Oman to central drought-ridden provinces of the country, provided that the environmental requirements are met, will not poses threats to the environment, Issa Kalantari, the Department of Environment (DOE) chief has announced.

Excessive use of renewable water in southeastern Iran worrisome

TEHRAN – Excessive withdrawal of renewable water, equaling 123 percent of the current volume, in the southeastern province of Kerman, has raised great concerns while posing a serious threat to the life of residents and region’s biodiversity.

‘Iran’s renewable water resources decreased by 25% in 5 decades’

TEHRAN — Renewable water resources has drastically decreased to less than 100 billion cubic meters from 132 bcm over the past 50 years, environmental official Mohammad Mojabi has said.

Extreme use of renewable resources worsens water stress: official

TEHRAN — Iran is withdrawing some 88 percent of it renewable water resources which is exacerbating water shortage in the country, Hedayat Fahmi, an official with the Ministry of Energy has said.