Ancient watermill in central Iran restored for tourism

TEHRAN – An underground ancient watermill, which is said to be the biggest of its kind in Iran, has been restored by the private sector after decades of abandonment as a new destination for sightseers and history buffs.

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.

By Faranak Bakhtiari

Meeting of ECO heads of meteorological organizations held in Tehran 

TEHRAN – The 3rd meeting of heads of meteorological organizations of Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) member states held in Tehran on Tuesday.

4,000 in drought-ridden areas provided with social services

TEHRAN – The Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) has dispatched volunteer teams to provide social services to the people residing in drought-stricken provinces of Sistan-Baluchestan, South Khorasan and Hormozgan, IRNA reported on Tuesday.

Puppet show on water shortage on stage in Tehran 

TEHRAN – The puppet show “Water and Others”, centering on the universal problem of water shortage, is currently on stage at Tehran’s City Theater Complex. 

DOE, University of Environment teach students about water conservation  

TEHRAN — In a collaborative attempt, Iran’s Department of Environment (DOE) and University of Environment teach students about water conservation, ISNA news agency reported on Monday.

‘Water shortage not a concern for Tehraners this summer’

TEHRAN – Tehran's water resources condition has improved significantly due to recent rainfalls during the current water year (started September 23, 2018), so that water shortage in summer should be of no concern to the citizens, deputy director at Tehran Water and Wastewater Company has said.

A blessing in disguise: Benefits of flood in Iran’s capital

TEHRAN — Some officials believe that the long-term advantages of a probable flood in Iran’s capital, Tehran, outweigh its disastrous effects.

‘It’s simplistic to believe that recent floods recharge groundwater resources’

TEHRAN — Believing that groundwater resources will be simply recharged after recent floods is simplistic and unscientific, head of groundwater resources department at Qom Province Regional Water Company has said.

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.