Trees Continue to Be Victimized; Fire Devastates Nature

The destruction of trees in Iran is an environmental challenge that occurs through various methods, including drying out or burning. Reports indicate that recent wildfires in different cities have led to the loss of ancient trees. ILNA news agency reported that on Friday, March 3rd, over 200 date palms were destroyed due to a wildfire in Shadgan, and one of the two ancient plane trees in the village of Barghan in Alborz province, which was registered nationally in 2015, was also severely damaged by fire. In this context, ILNA quoted the Cultural Heritage Department of Alborz province stating that 'the damage to the ancient plane tree in Barghan village is minor and can be restored,' and accordingly, cooperation with the faculties of agriculture and natural resources at the University of Tehran will take place for the restoration of the tree. Previously, the fencing of part of Gaitariyeh Park and the cutting down of trees for mosque construction had also made headlines, provoking widespread reactions from social activists and the public. In January, the cutting down of trees in Chitgar Park also made news, and the Natural Resources Organization, responsible for Chitgar Park, announced in response that the 20 to 25-year-old trees in Chitgar had dried up and that 25,000 saplings aged 5 to 6 years would be planted as replacements. This statement comes despite the fact that conifer trees can live over 150 years worldwide. Alireza Rahmati, head of the Environmental Protection Department of Tehran, responded to this news by stating to Mehr News Agency that 'in recent years, due to drought and lack of timely irrigation, many trees in various areas of Tehran, such as Sarakhsar and the southern side of Azadegan Highway, have dried up, and climate change and rising temperatures have also contributed to the vulnerability of these trees.' Critics believe that the environment in Iran has fallen victim to mismanagement and the pursuit of economic interests, and in many cases, the destruction of trees is planned and aligned with the execution of construction projects or land-use changes. The exposure of large-scale land grabbing in Damavand and collusion between two governments and the judiciary, the minister's admission of the oil ministry's role in the destruction of Khuzestan's environment, warnings from experts about the disastrous consequences of constructing the 'Tang Sar' dam in Shiraz, and protests from environmental activists against the cutting down of hundreds of trees in 'Alimalat Forest' have all been met with denial from officials.