Should fruit seedlings replace Sabzeh on Iranian Haft Seen tables?

TEHRAN – While it has been proposed that fruit seedlings should become a substitute for Sabzeh (wheat, barley, mung bean or lentil sprouts in a dish) to avoid consuming huge amount of water for irrigation as well as grains, some experts believe that it does not have any contradiction with environment.

Water behind major dams shrinks despite rainfalls

TEHRAN – Sixty two large dams constituting 35 percent of the total water behind dams are retaining water by less than 40 percent despite recent above normal rainfalls, IRNA reported on Sunday.

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 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.

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 Caspian Sea not economically justifiable’

TEHRAN – Water transfer from the Caspian Sea in northern Iran to the drought-stricken central provinces brings heavy economic burden to the country, regardless of posing probable damages to the environment, former deputy Department of Environment (DOE) chief has said.

Govt. pledges to increase water level at Lake Urmia 

TEHRAN — The Iranian government has pledged to take measures to increase water level at Lake Urmia by one meter within the next three years, deputy environment chief Masoud Tajrishi has said.

Precipitation triples last year’s mean in Iran 

TEHRAN — As per the data released on Friday by the National Drought Warning and Monitoring Center affiliated to the Meteorological Organization, precipitation amounts in the current water year (starting on September 23, 2018) have jumped three-folds compared to the same period a year earlier. 

Water level in Lake Urmia rises by 33cm

TEHRAN – The level of water in Lake Urmia, northwestern Iran, has increased by 33 centimeters compared to the same time last year, head of the provincial department for the Lake Urmia restoration program in West Azarbaijan province has said.

97% of Iran affected by long-term drought: expert

TEHRAN — Based on the dada collected over the past decade approximately 97 percent of the country is affected by long-term drought, director of the national drought warning and monitoring center, Sadeq Ziaeian, has said.

Euphoria in Isfahan as water flows into Zayanderud 

TEHRAN — While water is released into Zayanderud river, central province of Isfahan, the citizens are exhilarated by seeing the river alive again. 

Green industrial, service units lauded 

TEHRAN—The 20th National Congress for Green Industrial and Service Units was held in Tehran on Tuesday during which green industrial and service producing units were lauded, ISNA news agency reported. 

DOE not convinced to transfer water from Caspian Sea 

TEHRAN— Studies carried out so far has not yet convinced the Department of Environment (DOE) to transfer water from the Caspian Sea to central Iran, Parvin Farshchi, deputy director of the DOE for marine affairs has said. 

Qanats offer clues to ancient way of life in Iran

TEHRAN – For thousands of years, qanat systems have supplied water to agricultural and permanent settlements in arid regions of Iran, tapping alluvial aquifers at the heads of valleys and conducting the water along underground tunnels by gravity, often over many kilometers.

‘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.

Women play major role in water, environmental planning

TEHRAN – Women play a great role in planning to address water and environmental problems, Molood Shiva, advisor to the energy minister for women’s and family affairs said here on Saturday.

Govt. allots $240m to mitigate water shortage

TEHRAN — Iran’s government has allocated some 10.02 trillion rials (nearly $240 million) to reduce water shortage nationwide, Ismail Najjar, head of the National Disaster Management Organization has said. 

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.

Mean precipitation in two months of autumn quadruples yr/yr: data 

TEHRAN — From the beginning of autumn to November 17, Iran received 43.7 millimeters of rain on average which quadruples last year’s precipitation over the same period, according to data released on Saturday by the National Drought Warning and Monitoring Center.

Department of Environment opposes water transfer from Persian Gulf

TEHRAN — With regard to the environmental conditions of the Persian Gulf, the Department of Environment (DOE) has taken a firm stand against water transfer from this body of water, deputy environment chief, Masoud Tajrishi, has said.

Land subsidence a dire threat to Tehran

TEHRAN — Depletion of groundwater resources and pumping water excessively out of the ground at a faster rate that is replenished over the long-term have led to land subsidence and constitute a serious threat to Tehran.

Hamoun dryness, a tragedy for southwestern Iran

TEHRAN — Hamoun wetland dryness, caused by long-term drought and low precipitation, is the major reason behind problems in southwestern province of Sistan-Baluchestan, Zia-al-din Shoaei, former head of national working group for combatting sand and dust storms has said.

Water solicitation for drought-ridden Sistan-Baluchestan to ease water stress

TEHRAN — With Hamoun wetland drained of water and the rainless sky in southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchestan many are in dire need of drinking water.

Startup weekend to highlight environmental challenges

TEHRAN – Knowledge-based companies and startups active in the field of environment will share their experience during a startup weekend, which will be held from November 5 to 7, Mehr reported on Sunday.

‘There is a need to reform water policies’

TEHRAN — There is a need to make changes to general water policies so that they are run in a more effective way, an environmental official has said.

Iran stops fire operation in Hour al-Azim amid Iraq’s no move

TEHRAN — While Hour al-Azim, a transboundary body of water shared between Iran and Iraq, has been burning in fire originated mainly in the Iraqi part of the wetland since July 2, the Iraqi government seems to be reluctant to make any moves to put out the fire.