Department of Environment has set 15 conditions for authorizing the Ministry of Roads and Transportation to continue with reconstruction of Gorgan-Mashhad road crossing Golestan National Park. Deputy DoE head for natural environment and biodiversity blamed the ministry for a failure to live up with its obligations to preserve the national park, the Persian daily Iran reported.
The ministry has not only failed to fulfill its commitments to transfer the road to outside the park’s boundaries, but has also executed projects leading to destruction of protected natural terrains, Delavar Najafi exclaimed.
He explained that the department has set terms for continuation of reconstruction operations.
“Continuation of the project is conditioned to observance of the 15 clauses stipulated in a memorandum of understanding signed between the department and advisor to minister of roads and transportation.“
Insisting that the transit road passing through the park has to be rerouted, Najafi stated any expansion of the current road is prohibited as per the agreement.
“No explosions should take place during reconstruction, while the height of the road must remain unchanged.“
The official expanded that all operations should be carried out during daytime, adding the ministry is banned from cutting any trees.
Najafi underscored that operations are currently suspended.

Fatemeh Vaez-Javadi

Chief of Department of Environment refused to give the go-ahead for a plan to cultivate genetically-modified rice in the country.
Fatemeh Vaez-Javadi, said given the insufficiency of scientific evidence provided by directors of the proposed project for GM rice cultivation, DoE refused to approve it.
As reported by IRNA, she said at a press conference that DoE had earlier demanded a report be prepared on the impact of GM rice on microorganisms, insects as well as humans. “Yet, unfortunately that was not done.“
She explained that larvae-resistant transgenic rice plants are generated by Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) penetrating their stems. The multiple toxin system of the bacteria control rapid development of larvae of yellow stem borer (YSB), Scirpophaga incertulas, a major lepidopteran insect pest of rice.
The official stressed that the department welcomes any scientific studies and research projects, especially those conducted to increase production of farm crops.
“However, given that livestock and birds will feed on the stems of genetically-modified rice discarded in paddy fields and the nature, it is essential to assess impacts of the bacteria on nature.“
Vaez-Javadi said the department has concerns about the influence of Bt-transgenic rice on humans.
However the project directors, she said, have only provided DoE with facts and figures extracted from articles.
“We asked them to provide a sample of YSB-resistant rice for our laboratory examinations, which they failed to do.“
As per a decision by Agriculture Commission, the National Biosafety Law will soon be drafted to organize research on genetically modified products, she stated, adding “This is necessary since the country has been found to enforce the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, which is an international agreement on biosafety, as a supplement to the Convention on Biological Diversity.“
Vaez-Javadi insisted that the National Law on Biosafety has to be drawn up as soon as possible to ensure there is reliable monitoring over the import of genetically-modified products.
The Biosafety Protocol makes clear that products from new technologies must be based on the precautionary principle and allow developing nations to balance public health against economic benefits. It will for example let countries ban imports of a genetically modified organism if they feel there is not enough scientific evidence the product is safe and requires exporters to label shipments containing genetically altered commodities such as corn or cotton.

Biological invasion is regarded as one of the primary menaces to biodiversity. Invasive exotic species, when outside their natural range, can jeopardize native fauna and flora. The invasion has disturbing outcomes not only for a country’s nature, but also for its economy. One example is the introduction of a floating fern called Azolla from the Philippines into Bandar Anzali, in northern Iranian province of Gilan. The fern was first imported in 1986 for studies on its nitrogen fixation capacity, making it an ideal fertilizer for paddy fields and an additive to cattle feed. However, given the fern’s ability to travel on people’s shoes, vehicles, or by wind, water and animals, it eventually found its way into the Anzali Wetland in early 1990s. The invasive plant colonized rapidly and formed into dense mats covering vast expanses of surface water.
The devastating consequences of Azolla infestation are numerous. It can interfere with fishing and boating activities and block irrigation channels and waterways. The colonies also serve as havens for mosquito larvae. The thick mats prevent light from penetrating submerged species. Azolla masses compete with other species for nutrients and suppress flora which serve as food for waterfowls. The invasive carpet also prevents fish from migrating to and laying eggs in the wetland, and the fingerlings from returning to the Caspian Sea. Iranian experts recently warned that Azolla has already covered about 20 percent of the 20,000-hectare wetland. Fern infestation coupled with excessive sedimentation have decreased the water depth, they said, reducing the wetland’s rainwater storage capacity and increasing flood risks. Each year, thousands of fish perish in the wetland as a result of oxygen deficiency.
The wetland’s importance in preserving aquatic life and biodiversity led to its registration on the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance in 1975. The natural attraction has always been a landmark of Gilan province, with its breathtaking views drawing thousands of sightseers to the region, thus making significant contribution to local tourism revenues.
In May 2005, the then director of Gilan Department of Environment, Shabanali Nezami, vowed that prompt action was underway to remove the invasive plant from the lagoon and bring it under control. One and half years on, we are witness to larger expanses of the wetland carpeted with Azolla.
A report by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) emphasizes that Azolla mats have to be repeatedly removed from Anzali Wetland’s basins. It recommends that extracted Azolla be used as green manure in rice culture and also as feed for fish in pen culture, for chickens, ducks and geese.
Moreover, the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance advises that further studies be undertaken on the extent and impact of Azolla infestation and methods for its elimination. As a signatory to the convention, Iran is committed to establish an effective ’Wise Use’ scheme for the wetland.
Experts have proposed chemical, biological and mechanical methods for controlling Azolla. Considering the probable harmful impacts of chemicals on the ecosystem, and the lengthy process of biological techniques, it seems that mechanized procedures using engine-operated equipment provide the quickest option for harvesting Azolla.
Fern infestation is only one of the several factors putting the treasure at risk. Other threats such as agricultural runoff and urban sewage, as well as inflow of sediments resulted by deforestation and overgrazing in adjacent lands lead one to the conclusion that the wetland is on its last legs.
The appalling situation gives rise to imperative queries: What action will the Department of Environment take as the top body charged with conservation of environment? And where do treaties such as Ramsar Convention stand when an internationally important wetland such as Anzali is dying?

An international group of cave explorers traveled to Kaboudarahang, Hamedan province to study Ali Sadr Cave, IRNA reported.
Secretary of the expedition noted that renowned British cave explorer, Simon Brooks, accompanied by German-based Iranian cave-hiker, Sharareh Qazi, and several other skilled cavers arrived in this northwestern province to map the famous water cave and closely examine its chambers.
Javad Giahshenas noted the group aims to plot the map of the cave and excavate new chambers and lakes.
Also they are expected to visit Doudza Cave in Shirin-Su region of Kaboudarahang, which was discovered by mountaineers in March 2006, he unveiled.
He said the mentioned cave closely resembles Ali Sadr Cave, adding the group is expected to plot the map of one chamber.
Giahshenas continued that the group including 22 cavers from Ukraine, Germany, Russia, UK and Iran, have recently discovered the world’s deepest cave named Voronja (Krubera) in Abkhazia, Georgia.
He concluded that the expedition would also tour Perav Cave, with a depth of 752 meters, in Kermanshah during their 20-day stay.

North Khorasan province has 1,000 Turkmen horses.

Six hundred Turkmen horses have been microchipped in North Khorasan province, head of provincial Horseracing Board said.
Microchips containing unique identification numbers were implanted in horses after subjecting the animals to several blood and medical tests, Abdoljalil Ghiadi was quoted by IRNA as saying.
Information on microchips can be read universally by using special scanners, he added.
The official explained that blood samples of the Turkmen horses had been sent to Germany for genetic studies in modern laboratories.
Ghiadi unveiled that ancestral charts of Turkmen horses will be printed soon.
The official stated that microchipping the Turkmen horses will facilitate their export.
He recalled that a bylaw on the export of Turkmen horses had been drafted by Agriculture Ministry.
Ghiadi cited national regulations on export of domestic livestock based on which species whose cross and pure breeds are available in the province can be sold to foreign customers.
He reiterated that the export of Turkmen horses should be in compliance with the enactments to make sure their genetic reserves are preserved.
“Given the above-mentioned regulations, about one third of pure Turkmen horses in North Khorasan province can be exported.“
Meanwhile, secretary of the board said that Turkmen horse show and racing competitions will be held in fall in Bojnourd.
The show and contest is slated for Nov. 23-24, Hamid Salehi said, putting the budget set aside for the awards at 220 million rials.
North Khorasan province has 1,000 Turkmen horses of which 700 are mature. Some 500 people are involved in breeding horses.
The origin of Turkmen horse is believed to be the Jargalan region of Bojnourd, mostly inhabited by Iranian Turkmen tribes.

Beehives in Maneh and Samalqan, North Khorasan province (IRNA Photo)

Heroic efforts to save Iriomote cat from extinction symbolize an about-turn in Japan’s long-tortured relationship with Mother Nature. Not only does the struggle underline the country’s newfound determination to redress decades of environmental devastation at the hands of unbridled industrialization, it proves just how tough reversing the damage can be, AP wrote.
“The wildcat’s barely hanging on,“ says a jungle guide, Maki Okamura, a scientist at the Environment Ministry’s Iriomote Wildlife Conservation Center.
Spotting an Iriomote wildcat will be a long shot, not just because it has nearly died out. The mottled, dark brown cat with its rounded, club-like tail is only the size of a house tabby, and the jungles of its namesake island are nearly impenetrable. But Okamura knows every fold in the forest and routinely stops to hunt for footprints, scat and other telltale signs as she blazes through the dank mangrove swamps, keeping one eye out for cats, the other for deadly Okinawan vipers.
The wildcat’s scientific name--Prionailurus Iriomotensis--certifies its local roots, where it evolved as an isolated offshoot of mainland Asia’s so-called leopard cat, another small cat unrelated to the true leopard. For most of that time, outsiders steered clear of Iriomote’s malarial swamps.
But after World War II, sugar cane farmers and cattle ranchers moved in--as did scientists curious about sightings of a strange “yamaneko,“ or “mountain cat“ in Japanese. The discovery gave Japan a rare chance to redeem a dismal conservation record.

Environmental education shall be incorporated into textbooks, IRNA reported. Deputy head of Department of Environment for education and planning affairs, Mahmoud Raeiszadeh, added that a Memorandum of Understanding is to be signed between Department of Environment and Education Ministry for integrating lessons on environment protection into school curricula.
Once the MoU is signed, 30 percent of relevant textbooks from elementary to high school levels would be allocated to environmental teachings, he added.
Elaborating on the department’s other educational programs, he unveiled that pamphlets would be provided to raise the awareness of teachers active within the framework of Basij pro-environment program.
Presently 500 teachers are working with Basij (volunteer force) under the scheme.
Raeiszadeh pointed to promotion of environmental instructions in mosques as another DoE plan, noting coordination has been made for training 200 women teachers and assigning them to raise public awareness on environmental issues at mosques.
“Last year, 39 courses were held for 2,000 DoE managers and staff,“ he added.
He also said 17 books concerning environmental issues including one titled “Islam, the Green Religion“ are under publication. The latter can be used by leaders of congregational prayers to enlighten public about the importance of environment protection.