[Iran] - Intl. conference on Zagros forest to be held

INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
TEHRAN The Natural Resources and Watershed Management Organization is preparing to hold a global conference on Zagros forest in the next
Iranian calendar year, which will begin on March 21
Highlighting that promoting natural deposits diplomacy is one of the priorities of the company, Rasoul Ashrafipour, an official with the
Natural Resources and Watershed Management Organization, stated We will especially invite countries with a Mediterranean environment, in
which greenery is similar to that of Zagros and have taken effective steps toward its conservation, in addition to countries with dry and
semi-arid climates, ISNA reported.He made the remarks on the occasion of the natural deposits and watershed management week, which will
begin on March 5 with the style agreement and compassion for preserving natural resources.Referring to climate changes adverse results on
natural deposits, Ashrafipour stated that Metrological information show that the increase in temperature level in the nation has been higher
than the international average, which has a considerable impact on environment change.Therefore, the Natural Resources and Watershed
Management Organization, in cooperation with the Metrological Organization, will prepare some new files in the next 6 months, the official
noted.National week on natural resources and watershed managementMarch 5 is celebrated every year as National Tree Planting Day by planting
saplings throughout the country.The occasion is hung on the fifteenth day of Esfand, the last month on the Iranian calendar, and it marks
the start of the National Week of Natural Resources
The day has been authorized to be registered on the national calendar as Environmental Protection Education Day.Ali Teymouri, the head of
the Natural Resources and Watershed Management Organization, has stated deserts constitute some 32 million hectares of 134 million hectares
of natural land throughout the country.Forests and pastures likewise account for 17.5 million hectares and 84 million hectares of natural
land, respectively, he added, IRNA reported.According to the secretary of the nationwide policymaking head office for dealing with sand and
dust storms, 2.5 million hectares of sand dust storm hotspots in the nation have been supported over the previous six years.The step has
been taken in cooperation with other companies, especially the Natural Resources and Watershed Management Organization.SDS hotspots in 23
provinces of the country cover approximately 35 million hectares
They are responsible for generating dust across the nation, ISNA quoted Ali-Mohammad Tahmasbi as saying.Khuzestan is among the most
essential provinces where appropriate measures require to be required to address the problem.About 52 percent of the assigned budget plan
for the fight versus sand and dust storms is dedicated to Khuzestan province, the official noted.Referring to the stabilization of 120,000
hectares of SDS hotspots in the southeast of the province as one of the substantial measures of the nationwide head office, Tahmasbi called
it an example of effective cooperation and synergy in between the administration and other institutions.He even more emphasized the
significance of adopting measures based on the specific circumstance of any area, such as the type of soil, climate, available water
resources, as well as clinical concepts to attain the desired results.Utilizing experiences from executed strategies, their strengths and
weaknesses, and the capacity of individuals, farmers, and ranchers can also help execute future strategies more successfully, Tahmasbi
added.MT/ MG