Tehran – Sheena Ansari, head of the Ministry of Environment (DOE), and Ali Teimouri, head of the Natural Resources and Basin Management Organization, discussed ways to develop joint activities.
The Sunday officials’ meeting focused on mitigating the effects of sand and sandstorms (SDSS) by providing practical solutions and improving air quality. Plans to prevent and manage forest fires. Development of forest socialization by attracting community participation in conservation and sustainable forest management. Applying scientific methods to calculate the economic value of forests and formulating sustainable development policies, the IRNA reported.
A joint committee will be established to follow up on the implementation of the issues mentioned. Authorities also emphasized that joint drills will be held to enhance crisis management preparations.
Conservation of natural resources
On March 9, DOE held a national conference on the conservation of natural resources in Tehran.
“In regards to the fact that the country is affected by climate change, measures need to be taken to develop adaptation solutions and promote resilience. Close cooperation between various organizations will be required,” the IRNA quotes Ansari.
“Over the last century, the world has lost a third of its natural resources. In our country, depletion of natural resources has occurred in both quantitative and qualitative terms for a variety of reasons,” Ansari said he was present at the meeting.
When talking about forest values, economic benefits are usually considered, but non-market services such as water regulation, soil conservation, carbon sequestration, and habitats for plants and animal species are ignored.
Officials continue, DOE estimates the value of 64% of the confidential ecosystem so that they can assess their true economic value. Natural capital is not forever, and it contributes to exploring the true value of natural capital.
“It also helps us make the right decision between the development goals and the benefits of healthy ecosystems,” she added.
Forests are home to 80% of the terrestrial biodiversity, and degradation of the forest causes severe habitat destruction and species loss, Ansari said.
Officials also emphasized the importance of smart local surveillance as a key factor in the conservation of natural resources, promoting environmental culture, educating communities, restoring damaged areas, developing sustainable forest management plans, utilizing the latest technology.
According to the secretary of the National Policy Planning Headquarters, which dealt with sand and sandstorms, the country’s 2.5 million hectares of dune storm hotspots have been stable over the past six years.
This measure has been adopted in collaboration with other organizations, particularly natural resources and watershed management organizations.
SDS hotspots in the country’s 23 states cover approximately 35 million hectares. They are responsible for generating dust throughout the country, Isna quoted DOE official Ali-Mohammad Tahmasbi.
One important measure at the state headquarters was to stabilise the 120,000 hectares of SDS hotspots southeast of the state, Tamasbi called it an example of cooperation and synergy between the administration and other institutions.
He further emphasized the importance of adopting measurements based on specific circumstances in any region, including soil type, climate, available water resources, and scientific principles for achieving desired outcomes.
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