Statement by the Acting Head of FRWO On the Occasion of the Natural Resources and Watershed Management Week

According to FRWO's website, Dr. Khosrow Shahbazi Acting Head of FRWO issued a statement on the occasion of the Natural Resources Week as follows:

In the Name of Allah

the Beneficent the Merciful

Praise be to God, Lord of the worlds, and prayers and peace be upon the master of the prophets and messengers, Muhammad and his holy family, the pure and innocent, the infallible and the companions

I seize the opportunity to congratulate "Arbor Day", as a symbol of human affinity with the nature to all nature lovers and beneficiaries of the natural resources management in the country.

Today, the vital role of natural resources, especially forests and rangelands is crystal clear to everyone. The Mother Nature has warmly opened her green arms to us and has set its blessed table to human beings generously.‏

The natural resources and green spaces act as the lungs of the earth and have direct impact on water and climatic cycles to a degree that never before the survival of the human race had been tied to it to this extent.

Population growth and overuse of natural resources for unabated needs of human societies, has endangered the nature sustainability in an unprecedented way.

Climate change is the source of many natural disasters that threaten water and soil resources and vegetation cover. The consequences of reduced biodiversity are water scarcity, food insecurity, land degradation and increased risk of catastrophic events, that put forests and rangelands under the focus.

This global consensus for conservation of natural resources which is the result of many consultations has drawn a new horizon for nature management, in the framework of sustainable development approach.

The new model considers ecological benefits along with economic and social benefits. In this approach, both environmental and human interactions are viewed in a parallel manner, and the natural resources utilization is limited to the ecological capacity of the resources, to reduce risks.

Undoubtedly, natural resources as a God-given asset have a vital role in the sustainable development of the country and should be given a deserving place in our social life.

Qur'anic thought and traditions emphatically recommend the sustainable use of the natural sources. Articles 45 and 50 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran also emphasize the conservation of natural sources as a public asset and require all and everyone to protect them as a public duty.

The National Outlook Program 2024 include a separate chapter on natural resources, along with chapters on economic, social and institutional arrangements, that is emphasized and integrated in the 11 principles collection of President Rohani Administration.

FRWO with the backing of huge social asset and the participation of civil society and the private sector has the responsibility of conservation, restoration, development and sustainable exploitation of natural resources in the country.

Based on the above-mentioned mandate, FRWO announces its national policies and programs in the Natural Resources Week follows as:

1. Protection of forests and rangelands should be taken seriously as a main theme for nature-based solutions and response to global challenges, including climate change, biodiversity reduction, water scarcity, food security, land degradation, and the increased risk of catastrophic phenomena.

2. The need for control of degradation and instability factors, with emphasis on immediate action by all actors at all levels, individually and collectively, to prevent the decline of forest and rangeland ecosystems and the destruction of lands.

‏3. Close attention should be paid to the development and restoration of forests and rangelands, through tree planting movement , run-off control and development of  water harvesting techniques appropriate to climatic and regional conditions, revisiting technical guidelines, use of native fruit species adaptable and resistant to harsh conditions, together with appropriate watershed activities and IWM projects implementation.

4. The health and dynamics of forests and rangelands are important treasures for welfare, well-being and human life. Given the dependence of large numbers of local communities on natural resources for providing facilities, livelihoods, occupation and income generation; attention to ecological, social and economic aspects in order to achieving sustainable development should be on the agenda.

5. Essential measures to increase the participation and investment of the private sector in the identification and sustainable exploitation of natural resources goods and services (such as wood farming, medicinal and industrial plants and sustainable tourism) should be taken.

6. Appropriate use of the existing legal capacity to develop the participation of local communities, organizations and cooperatives in natural resource activities should be made.

7. Communication and collaboration with universities, training centers and research institutes in order to exchange knowledge and experience and utilize modern and applied scientific findings aimed at sustainable management of  natural resources should be developed.

Khosrow Shahbazi

Acting Head of FRWO and Chief of Staff of Natural Resources Week

March 2020