Six Trillion RLs Earmarked for Forestry in Zagros

Head of FRWO said that FRWO's main focus is on the sustainable management of Zagros forests this year, for which six trillion RLs will be earmarked for the conservation, restoration and development operations in these forests.

According to the FRWO's website, Khalil Aghaee Deputy Minister of Jahad Agriculture and Head of FRWO in the “Zagros Ecosystem Management” steering meeting, attended by Dr. Gholamreza Tajgardon, Head of Parliament's Committee for Plan and Budget and Audit on Wednesday said that control of dieback in the Zagros forests is one of the major concerns for FRWO and added: “Based on the assessments, the main causes for the decline of Zagros trees are summed up as lack of soil moisture, water shortage and lack of IWM projects.”

Aghaee also reiterated that FRWO is mandated to formulate a long-term plan for Zagros forests like the Hyrcanian forests, because Zagros is vital artery that produces more than 40 percent of water in the country.

Mr Aghaee noted that special working groups have been set up to prepare more than 17 layers of information in 6 million hectares of Zagros forests scattered over 30 million hectares to determine the degree of vulnerability.

Head of Parliament's Committee for Plan and Budget and Audit who also represents the Zagros people in the Parliament, expressed his satisfaction over outcome of the meeting and said that the reports and plans sent by FRWO to the Parliament was very clear and facilitated decisions making process and allocation of budget for the natural resources and watershed sector.

Gholamreza Tajgardon referred to the importance of the Hyrcanian Forest harvesting Ban and said that both of the Hyrcanian and Zagros forests are important for the future generations, but the model for keeping and preserving these forests should be changed.

Tajgardon also emphasized that FRWO should have a cultural attachment alongside their technical programs.