Tehran – Following Iran’s proposal for protection from wildfires in Zagros forests, the Asia-Pacific Regional Disaster Information Management Centre (APDIM) has posted the issue on its agenda.
Zagros forests are one of Iran’s most important natural resources, accounting for 40% of the country’s forests and play an important role in the production of most of the country’s freshwater.
The results are the result of the country’s cooperation with APDIM in the fight against sand and sandstorms, the IRNA reported.
The proposal was approved at the 8th Annual Annual Session of the Asia and Pacific Social and Social Commission (ESCAP) held from April 21-25 at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok.
APDIM has worked with the Planning and Budget Organization (PBO) and the Natural Resources and Basin Management Organization to develop a series of comprehensive plans for collaboration to maintain the Zagros forests. The plan is designed to improve the area’s preparation and capacity to combat widespread forest fires.
Iran is proposing an APDIM plan that encompasses other issues, including the management of pests and forest diseases, in addition to forest preservation against wildfires.
Once approved, forest environmental challenges will be addressed more comprehensively at the local and global level.
Iran has always emphasized the importance of local participation in dealing with environmental crises by playing an important role in fostering regional synergies.
The country believes that the support of APDIM and other related institutions will lead to improved management of natural crisis and reduction of disaster risk at regional and international levels.
A global cooperative is required to preserve the Zagros forests
In June, Iran called for international organizations and other countries to help maintain Zagros forests through a comprehensive cooperation programme.
Iran is famous for having one of the oldest forests in the world. The country’s 300,000 hectares of forests have been engraved on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the IRNA cited Ali Teimori, head of the Natural Resources and Basin Management Organization.
Officials made their remarks while working on an international conference on sustainable management of Zagros forests.
“Their geographical location makes these forests have flora and fauna diversity. Zagros forests show rich biological diversity, with over 2,500 plants and animal species not even found in the rest of the country or in the world.
These forests serve important economic and social functions and contribute to the livelihood of the local community. But they are threatened by a variety of factors, including climate change, frequent wildfires and illegal exploitation,” he added.
To address environmental challenges and improve sustainability metrics, Teimori said, Iran needs to develop international cooperation focused on technical support, exchanging experience, fundraising and providing regional and scientific cooperation.
Officials went on to say that Iran is willing to benefit from other countries’ expertise in the design and implementation of sustainable forest management projects. As environmental challenges are universal, the country is trying to use global environmental structures and facilities to restore forests.
Iran’s forested areas account for approximately 14 million hectares, accounting for 7.5% of the country’s total land area. The forests are scattered across different regions around the country. The current per capita forest area is around 1,700 square meters, and the per capita forest area around the world is 5,600 square meters, Teimori said.
The inclusion of sustainable management, economic, social and environmental sustainability indicators of Zagros forests through participatory management or social forestry, and involvement of local communities, government agencies and the private sector, lies on the agenda of the country’s natural resource organizations.
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