Iran | Set the Target of Restoring 20 Million Hectares of Rangeland in the Country

Iran has set the target of restoring 20 million hectares of rangeland in the country as part of its Seventh National Development Plan that aims to increase economic growth, improve infrastructure, increase productivity, human development and preserve the environment.

The plan is led by the Natural Resources and Watershed Management Organization, government body established in 2002 focusing on protection, conservation, reclamation, development and utilizations of forests, rangelands, forested lands, natural, woods and coastal lands, as well as watershed management and soil conservation throughout the country, an initiative as reported by Theran Times.

Rangelands cover about 55% of Iran, approximately 86 million hectares, serving as primary source of forage for livestock, supporting agricultural and animal husbandry activities and represent a crucial natural resource. However, these ecosystems face sever degradation from factors like overgrazing, climate change, and poor management.

Iran has sets targets to restore a significant portion of its degraded rangelands, such as 20 million hectares using strategies include improving energy efficiency in livestock units, assessing rangeland conditions, and incorporating the social and cultural aspects of rangeland users with in addition recognising the importance of local communities, particularly pastoralists in conservation efforts with essential actions for developing effective management strategies.

The head of the organisation’s rangeland affairs office, Abolghasem Hosseinpour speaking at a meeting of provincial deputies, highlighted the crucial role of rangelands as protective barriers for fragile ecosystems in arid regions.

The official described the rangelands as a “biological belt” that helps curb the spread of desertification, stressing the need for tailored programmes to safeguard and restore degraded areas. 

The head of the organization also warned that climate change declining rainfall and shrinking snow cover are placing growing pressure on Iran’s rangelands and stating that so far 7.6 million hectares have been rehabilitated.

Link 

https://tvbrics.com/en/news/iran-sets-goal-to-restore-20-million-hectares-of-rangeland/