IWM Creates New Hopes for the Revival of Zagros Ecosystem

Hossein Kalantari, Governor General of Kohgiluyeh & Boyer-Ahmad, met with Khalil Aghaee, Deputy Minister and Head of Forests, Range and Watershed Management Organization (FRWO) on Tuesday at FRWO Headquarters and discussed the latest development of the natural resources management in the Zagros province.

According to FRWO’s website, in this meeting, the Governor General referred to capacities of the province in the field of medicinal herbs’ development and said that Kohgiluyeh & Boyer-Ahmad is known as the Capital of Nature in Iran and has a great potential for production of medicinal herbs, with a capacity of 200,000 hectares.

Hossein Kalantari also referring to recent forest fire occurrences in the province highlighted the need for equipping the forest guard forces with fire fighting facilities and helicopters.

He said," Desertification phenomenon is occurring in Gachsaran and Bahmei regions, and more than 40,000 hectares of natural resources are now facing with decline of biological capacities around these two cities".

Kalantari said "Fight against oak dieback in the Zagros forests must go hand in hand with IWM projects aimed at preventing floods and soil erosion. This necessities increased allocation of budget from the National Development Fund.

In this meeting, Khalil Aghaee reiterated that the management of Zagros forests is one of the top priorities of FRWO and rehabilitation and plantation activities is underway in regions that has created new hopes for the revival of Zagros ecosystem.

Aghaee also said "Guidelines and executive directives for conservation of Zagros forests has been revised and sent to provinces for implementation, showing the priority that FRWO give to the rehabilitation of Zagros ecosystem".

Deputy of Agriculture Jahad Ministry said that considering the effectiveness of IWM projects that has had positive impacts on local communities, is fortunately brought into focus of high-ranking officials as a top priority national issue.

He noted in another part of his remarks, to the allocation of 500 billion RLs for the provision of personnel and equipments for forests guard, and added that FWRO has been following up the procurement of helicopters for fire-fighting with the government.