Tehran, Dec 31, IRNA - Massoumeh Ebtekar, the head of Irans Department of the Environment, warned about Persian Gulfs environmental degradation caused by oil, trade and military activities.Ebtekar made the statement during a news conference on air pollution caused by industrial units in Bandar Abbas, Hormuzgan province, according to Wednesday's edition of 'Iran Daily'.
She added that the government is determined to reduce the negative impact of development on the environment.
All state bodies are required to establish a supervisory environmental unit to monitor the adverse effects of developmental projects on nature, she said.
Ebtekar supported the implementation of tougher laws in free trade zones and coastal areas to increase environmental protection.
Coastal areas are more sensitive to environmental damage, she said, criticizing the exploitation of the colorful soil of Bandar Abbas for making soil carpet.
The government has prioritized green economy and transparency about environmental losses.
The DOE chief noted that at least 17 percent of land in every nation must be under strict protection, according to international conventions.
Only 11 percent of Irans lands are protected, she said.
Ebtekar said while international conventions want nations to bring at least 10 percent of their coastal areas under protection, only 3-4 percent of such areas are designated protected zones in Iran.
The exploitation of underground water stands at 25 percent in the world, which increases to 45 percent when nations face water crisis, she said, warning that Iranians are using 85 percent of water from underground reservoirs.
Ebtekar said the same shocking figures could be witnessed in Irans high energy consumption, which is five times more than the global rate.
Global warming has affected Iran just like many other countries, leading to a decline in precipitation, and reduction of water reservoir level.
By IRNA
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