Call for coordinated measures to save Anzali Wetland
Iran’s vice president and head of the Department of the Environment (DoE) Ali Salajegheh has underscored the urgency of implementing a comprehensive watershed management plan to preserve the Anzali Wetland. He stressed the need to harness all national, international, and private sector resources to achieve this goal.
In a meeting of the Anzali Wetland task force, attended by the governor of Gilan, Salajegheh highlighted the national significance of the project, according to IRNA.
“The Anzali Wetland naturally drains an area exceeding 370,000 hectares, and its preservation requires a comprehensive watershed management approach that could serve as a model for the country,” head of DoE stated.
Salajegheh emphasized that the primary responsibility for the preservation of the wetland lies with the Natural Resources and Watershed Management Organization. He outlined a two-year timeline for the completion of watershed management operations in the Anzali Wetland and called for a detailed schedule for all planned operations.
“The comprehensive watershed management plan,” Salajegheh noted, “would halt sediment inflow into the wetland, thereby eliminating dredging costs.”
He also called for the use of knowledge-based companies to address water hyacinth growth.
The vice president insisted that the wetland’s boundaries should be finalized by the end of the week and called for a ban on the use of fertilizers and poisons in the watershed. He suggested that the Ministry of Agriculture provide alternatives to users.
Two important steps to save the wetland
Gilan Governor Asadollah Abbasi also spoke at the meeting, outlining the current state of the Anzali Wetland and the steps taken towards its restoration. He emphasized the need for unity among the institutions responsible for the wetland’s restoration, citing inconsistency as a major issue.
Abbasi identified the implementation of watershed management and pollution removal operations as two crucial steps toward saving the Anzali Wetland. He criticized the lack of action to address pollution from the Rasht Industrial Town, but noted progress in the Mehr Housing treatment plant project and the wastewater management of hospitals.
Abbasi also announced the assignment of the Rasht water treatment plant construction project to an experienced contractor and discussed measures taken to combat water hyacinth in the Anzali lagoon. He highlighted the threat of fire in the region and called for increased precautions.
Representatives from the task force’s member organizations also presented reports on their actions and plans to save the Anzali Wetland.