President Tehran – Masoud Pezeshkian has issued an order calling for the establishment of a specialized working group to deal with the sand and sandstorms (SDSS) that has turned into a serious public health concern in the country.
At a meeting held on Sunday, the Ministry of the Environment (DOE) presented a report on the risks of SDSS as a comprehensive and growing threat, listing national plans and strategies to mitigate the impact of SDSS, the IRNA reported.
Emphasizing the importance of preserving the environment as an important issue in the country, the President ordered the establishment of a working group consisting of experts, academics, ministries and executive representatives, prepared and implemented operational plans to combat dust phenomena, and successfully conducted international experience.
Duststorm is a major environmental challenge that has negative impacts on food security, human health, and sustainable development processes at the national and local level.
Iran’s initiative in the fight against SDS
Located in arid, semi-arid regions, Iran is being adversely affected by climate change. Rising temperatures, lower precipitation, intensifying droughts, and frequent SDSS not only threatened ecosystems and biodiversity, but also put the country’s food security at risk by exacerbating soil erosion, expanding desertification and lowering agricultural productivity.
Below are the steps the state has taken to mitigate the harmful effects of SDSS.
Recognizing that sand and sandstorms on various scales and their negative impacts are issues of international concern, declared July 12 at the UN General Assembly of Iran’s initiative.
Additionally, the 6th United Nations Environment Parliament (UNEA-6), held from February 26th to March 1st, approved the resolution adopted at the International Summit on Response to Sand and Sandstorms in Tehran in September 2023.
Among other measures are close cooperation with specialized agencies, particularly the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the adoption of other programs focused on forecasting, early warning, improving national capacity, and developing innovative strategies to increase the resilience of the country’s top agenda.
Iranian researchers have used inherent techniques to mitigate and control the effects of SDS as the frequency and intensity of sand and sandstorms (SDSS) in various states of the country.
Below are several approaches being adopted to address SDSS which have a major impact on public health, the ISNA reports.
Development of non-oil and environmentally friendly mulch: mulch is an alternative to traditional oil-based mulch, causing serious environmental damage. These types of mulch have been developed from compost, gingival and starch products provided by the Institute of Agriculture Biotechnology, the University of Tehran, the Organization of Forests and Rangeland, and researchers at Fuzestan Science and Technology Park.
Nano and Polymer Multi: Developed by Sharif University of Technology and the Center for Materials and Energy Research, products use nanoparticles to produce coatings with high adhesion and long-term durability. Nanomultique is environmentally friendly and has been tested in parts of the country’s central and southwest.
Indigenous Early Warning System: Iranian weather organizations have launched a satellite dust surveillance system that uses remote sensing data to predict dust storm travel paths. To this end, the organization has developed collaborations with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Weather Organization (WMO) to upgrade these systems.
Air Pollution Warning App: Several native apps have been developed for viewing data from air quality monitoring stations, such as “Iranian Meteorology” software, “Zarin Meteorology” software, or the Ministry of Environment’s web-based systems.
Restoration of water resources and wetlands employing new technologies: Restoring the wetlands of Al Azim, Baktegan and Jazzmoria in time, implementing smart water use projects with drainage control and wastewater treatment, recycle urban water for re-entering urban water to re-enter the wetland floors, and applied as a solution of fine dust.
Green Belt Plan: This strategy focuses on planting low-water and drought-resistant plants such as ash trees and bitter olives, establishing green spaces around Tehran and industrial cities to control the risk of SDS.
Urban Air Purifiers: Iranian knowledge-based companies have developed air filters for public places, schools and even open spaces, but are being tested in limited locations.
Despite international sanctions and restrictions, Iran has been able to take measures in areas such as satellite surveillance, biomultiple and scientific desertification. However, financial support, extensive implementation and regional cooperation with neighboring countries is needed to ensure that they can pursue the path.
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