Senior international advisor for the project to protect the biodiversity of central Zagros said that the nature of Dena region is so beautiful and unparalleled that it deserves to be registered as global heritage site.
Bouda Toki, a Nepalese national who represents the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for selection of potential sites for global recognition, said this while visiting the habitat of Persian yellow deer in Absepah, Dena (Kohgilouyeh-Boyer Ahmad province), IRNA reported.
He added, “Since internal laws of countries can change, if a site is registered as global heritage, the possibility of its destruction becomes zilch.“ Some 14 Persian yellow deer have been given sanctuary in Absepah Protected Zone in over an area extending 100 hectares.
“As a member of the group for selecting global heritage, I dare say that Dena forests, which are abound with old oak trees, are worthy of being enlisted as global heritage site,“ he noted.
Toki also said, “Over 2,500 natural attractions of the world have been registered as global heritage, but unfortunately no Iranian site is on this list yet.“
Meanwhile, the national manager of the Zagros biodiversity project, Mohammad Farhat said that the success of the project is contingent upon cooperation from provincial executive managers with the people in charge of the project. He characterized the participation of the villagers of Deh-e Bar-e Aftab and Dasht-e Zar in the project as favorable.
“Given the importance of time in protecting biodiversity, it is necessary to expedite preliminary studies of the project. To ensure the success of the project, the experiences of other provinces should be used so that weak and strong points are identified.
Deputy head of Kohgilouyeh-Boyer Ahmad’s Environmental Directorate, Zavareh Khodarahmi said, “The prerequisite for the success of the project is the direct participation of the region’s inhabitants. Given that the residents of the province admire natural attractions, the prospects of the project are bright.“
He added, “The province possesses high potentials for appealing to tourists and protecting Dena’s biodiversity can attract more domestic and foreign tourists.“ The project for protecting biodiversity of Dena is being implemented in the provinces of Kohgilouyeh-Boyer Ahmad, Isfahan, Fars and Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari by the Department of Environment (DoE) in collaboration with the UN.

Director general of Department of Environment (DoE) for water and soil affairs has said that Telo is not a suitable site for a cemetery since the area, located in the southern Alborz range near Tehran, is ecologically vulnerable.
Speaking to Fars News Agency, Soroush Modabberi added, “Before a cemetery is built in any region, parameters such as the environment, slope of the region and the impact of precipitation should be considered. To build a new cemetery anywhere in Tehran, it is essential for environmental experts to conduct studies and select a location after taking all aspects into account.“
He noted, “The texture of southern Alborz, where Telo is located, is quite vulnerable. It is necessary to conduct geological and geotechnical studies first to determine the depth of subterranean waters and permeability of the soil.“
Meanwhile, a DoE official, Dariush Golalizadeh said that in addition to environmental concerns, social priorities are also at stake in establishing a cemetery at Telo.
“A plan should be presented that entails the least destruction to the environment. Tehran Municipality has definitely carried out feasibility studies before selecting Telo. It is crucial that DoE also examine the results of feasibility studies,“ he pointed out.
He recalled that DoE does not authorize building a cemetery in Telo, which is of high importance in terms of environmental considerations.
“The environment is not a barrier in construction projects, but rather environmental assessments should be carried out so that the least harm is done to the environment,“ he noted.
The issue of building a cemetery in Telo sprang up after officials said that the Behesht-e Zahra cemetery does not have enough burial space. Sorkheh Hesar and Garm-Darreh have also been considered as possible sites.

Two historical sites in Gonabad, Khorasan Razavi province, were registered on the national heritage list.
Announcing this, Head of Gonabad Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Office told Mehr News Agency that ’Kalat Mill’ and ’Kalat Public Bath’ were enlisted as national heritage sites.
“There are more than 200 ancient monuments in Gonabad of which about 45 have been registered on national heritage list,“ Alireza Shenasayee added.
He noted that five historical sites were registered on national heritage list last year, including Bajestan Mosque, Marandiz Mosque and Younesi Caravansary.
“Once funds are made available, we shall begin restoration works on other edifices including Qasemabad Caravansary, Qale Omrani Caravansary and Kakhak Mill,“ the official said.
“Establishing tourist lodges and expanding archeological studies in the region are among our future plans,“ he added.
The official concluded that the historical Khajeha Mosque is currently undergoing renovation.

A total of 170 million rials has been allocated for the renovation of Abbasabad historical palace located in Natanz, Isfahan province.
An official in charge of Natanz renovation projects said that the budget will be spent on renovating the ceiling of the palace which is on the verge of collapse, CHTN reported.
Hossein Yazdanmehr further said that Abbasabad palace is built in an area of 450 square meters and its floor is to be paved with bricks. “About 30 percent of the renovation of Dehabad Castle has been implemented at a cost of 100 million rials,“ he added.
Yazdanmehr pointed out that the fa�ade of the castle is being renovated with clay-brick. “Fortification of 500 square meters of the ceiling of Natanz Grand Mosque is also underway,“ he said.