FRWO and BSO Sign MoU on Natural Resources Management

FRWO and Basij-e-Sazandegi Organization/ BSO (Development Organization) signed on Monday a memorandum of understanding to boost natural resources management.

According to FRWO’s website, Dr. Massoud Mansour, at the signing ceremony of the MoU between FRWO and the Basij-e-Sazandegi Organization, said: "Natural resources are a public asset and FRWO is mandated as the custodian of this heritage to pass it on to the next generations."

Dr. Mansour described Basij Organization as the manifestation people's direct involvement in social activities and noted: "The conservation of natural resources is best maintained through people's real involvement in safeguarding and utilizing natural resources."

Mansour stated that FRWO is committed to the pledge it has taken with regard to timber farming operation in 30,000 hectares this year as well as development of 50,000 hectares of medicinal herbs, 32 million hectares of cadastral mapping, 40,000 hectares of afforestation and 22,000 hectares of plantation with economic species as part of its contribution in 2020 that is named as "Leap in production".

Head of FRWO further referred to the remarks of the Supreme Leader in March, 2015 regarding the importance of soil conservation and reiterated: "IWM is indeed the most practical approach and framework to prevent and control soil erosion."

He considered dust storms as a serious harm to the country and said: “This phenomenon has caused a lot of damage to the country's infrastructure and FRWO has planned significant programs to control dust storms in the year of “Leap in Production”.

At the ceremony, Dr. Zahraei, the Head of Basij-e-Sazandegi Organization, said: "The logic of the Basij is the logic of turning threats into opportunities, and the BSO, along with FRWO, can deliver unfinished work to its destination."

He said: "Soil erosion may not be considered as a major threat in the country today, but phenomena such as deforestation, soil erosion, drying of Lake Urmia and dust storms and desertification should be considered a serious threat in the country and addressed in a timely manner."

"Threats are not just confined to social and economic challenges, they include bio-safety threats ," he said. "The preservation of natural resources depends on being together and working together." Head of BSO reiterated.

He said that the Basij has capillary networks in all villages and local communities and can play a role in preserving, reviving and developing the country's natural resources by using specialized personnel and faithful youth as in emergencies.

Dr. Zahraei stated that the Basij as a non-profit institution can serve the society by involving the youth and volunteer groups in natural resources projects.