IWM Activities to be Replicated in 10,000 Sites in the Country

Khalil Aghaee, Deputy Minister and Head of Forests, Range and Watershed Management Organization (FRWO) said on Wednesday during a launching ceremony of Jahrom watershed plan in Fars province, said the implementation of IWM projects will be replicated in 10,000 sites in the country this year.

According to FRWO’s website, Khalil Aghayee said that the implementation of IWM projects which had been financed from the National Development Fund in more than 6,000 sitess of the country last year, will increase to 10,000 sites according to the FRWO's plan this year in case of financial allocation.

He also said that the importance of IWM projects is crystal clear, and all high ranking officials, especially the Supreme Leader, the government and the parliament, have emphasized the need for implementation of IWM and plantation plans, especially forests and rangelands, and this special attention will further increase our responsibilities.

He noted that the implementation of IWM projects has revolutionized the natural resources management of the country and added that IWM measures are very effective in reducing the impacts and damages of recent flood in the country and the construction of watershed structures have reduced the flood water speed and concentration and infiltration.

Mr. Aghaee, addressing a group of local people, pointed out that IWM measures are not devised for a specific arid climatic condition, but it benefits both dry and wet years.

He also said that IWM plans are formulated based on detailed study and implemented through participatory mechanisms.

According to the report, the Head of FRWO met with the Governor General of Fars province before the launching ceremony of the project. In this visit, Mr. Aghaei accompanied Deputy Governor General for Development Affairs, Director General of Natural Resources Dept and the head of Jahad-e-Agriculture Organization of Fars Province, and the representative of Jahrom in the Islamic Consultative Assembly.