78% of the Coasts of Mazandaran Province Have Been Seized

Shahram Fadakar, the Deputy of Coastal Affairs at the Department of Environment, reported that 78% of the coasts of Mazandaran Province have been seized by the government, institutions, and private individuals. According to the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), Mr. Fadakar announced during a special news program on Channel 2 that 28% of the Mazandaran coasts have been 'seized' by the government and governmental institutions. He stated that coastal towns account for 12% of the seizures of the Caspian Sea coasts in this province, while private individuals account for 10%. This official added that another 10% of the Mazandaran coasts have been seized by 'governing' institutions, and 4% of these coasts remain free. The Deputy of Coastal Affairs at the Department of Environment further noted that 'all the seizures that have occurred since previous governments have turned into residential areas.' He mentioned that currently, 'the northern coastline has been transformed into exclusive resorts for institutions, organizations, and ministries.' Mohammad Ali Taghvaifard, the head of the Mazandaran Judiciary, also announced during this program that 54% of the seizures are under the control of governmental organizations, while the remaining 46% are by the private sector. Taghvaifard identified the 'negligence' of the General Directorate of Natural Resources, the Ministry of Energy, and the Regional Water Affairs, the Department of Environment, and the Ports and Maritime Organization as significant factors contributing to these seizures. The head of the Mazandaran Judiciary added that 'all coasts are part of the public assets and the property of all Muslims, and seizing them is forbidden,' and currently, '174 cases' have been filed in this regard. The significant seizure of the Caspian Sea coasts in Iran has limited access for many tourists from northern cities to the sea. The Caspian Sea coasts are one of the most popular tourist areas in Iran, and in September 2009, the then-government issued an order to free these coasts. According to this order, the Ministry of Interior was tasked with providing the groundwork and prerequisites for freeing the coast of this sea from governmental seizures, which seems to have been unsuccessful in executing this mission. Iran has 700 kilometers of the Caspian Sea coastline, and the constructions of the past 50 years on these coasts have caused many environmental problems and damages. The issue of freeing the Caspian Sea coasts was first raised in the last year of Mohammad Khatami's presidency and was included in the Fourth Development Plan, but responsible officials are not very satisfied with the implementation process.