Not a single permit has been granted to any state organization or private sector contractor to build a petrochemical plant in Miankaleh Wetland in Mazandaran Province, the Department of Environment’s head said.
“The construction of any kind of plants in the wetland without obtaining environmental licenses and permission is illegal and nobody is above the law,” Ali Salajeqeh was also quoted as saying by ISNA.
Although DOE does not have a considerable clout within the government, it is determined to do whatever it takes not to allow any state or private company to damage the wetland’s untouched nature by constructing a petrochemical facility, he added.
Salajeqeh noted that such plants produce hazardous industrial wastewater that can be detrimental for the region and its discharge in the wetland can totally devastate Miankaleh’s unique nature that host a variety of flora and fauna and a remarkable biodiversity.
Referring to the groundbreaking ceremony held in March in the presence of Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi, the DOE chief said that the minister must have been given wrong information about obtaining environmental licenses, otherwise he would not have attended the ceremony.
Salajeqeh stressed that DOE categorically denies the issuance of any license, despite claims made by the private contractor of the project.
Mohammad Darvish, a renowned environmentalist and director of the Public Participation Office at the Department of Environment, is a vocal critic.
“I’m against such plans as industrial development in the region will result in the destruction of natural ecosystems, habitats and biodiversity,” he said.
Darvish expressed hope that the project never sees the light of day.
Nevertheless, environmental activists have warned that certain quarters are determined to circumvent the law and force DOE officials to issue much-needed licenses.
Miankaleh is a narrow and long peninsula situated in the extreme southeastern part of the Caspian Sea. It is spread over 68,800 hectares. The wetland is a wildlife sanctuary and hosts a number of endangered species, particularly aquatic migratory birds who prefer the site for laying eggs.
A Biosphere Reserve
Miankaleh Peninsula was registered in 1969 as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. In 1979, the peninsula was declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO.
The biosphere reserve's ecological importance is evident from the fact that it hosts 250,000 migratory birds, including pelican, flamingo, graylag and white-fronted geese, swan, red-breasted merganser and the white-headed duck, in winter.
Tourism and environment officials have been working on a plan to turn Miankaleh Wetland into a hub of bird-watching, which requires protective measures to ensure the safety of both environment and species.
On the other hand, proponents of undertaking the controversial petrochem project, including Gholamreza Shariati Anderati, a lawmaker from Behshahr in Mazandaran Province, insist that it will create a large number of jobs for local residents.
“Environmental issues notwithstanding, the project can not only help develop the underprivileged area but also cut the dole queue,” he said.
According to the MP, the contractor is aware of ecological concerns and has promised to do its best not to harm the peninsula’s Nature.
Nonetheless, surveys conducted by DOE in southern provinces like Bushehr indicate that as soon as such plans are launched, nobody cares about the environment and DOE lacks the clout to sue such companies.
DOE has filed lawsuits against oil, gas and petrochemical plants in southern regions for violating laws. Few, if any, verdicts have been issued so far that can help us strongly protect the environment.
According to Isa Kalantari, former DOE head, policymakers do not believe in sustainable development and their uninformed decisions have had a major role in creating the dire situation.
Ill-Advised Decisions
Iran's once rich ecosystem has become a victim of ill-advised and harmful decisions in the past four decades and those in charge must be held accountable for the devastation of natural resources, Kalantari said.
Water and soil have been plundered and DOE lacks the leverage to take on energy and agriculture ministries and hold them responsible for environmental disasters.
Echoing serious warnings by conservationists and economic experts, Kalantari said, "We have used up our entire renewable water. According to global standards, this should not be higher than 40%.”
The policy to push for self-reliance in agriculture was a recipe for disaster as it put the ecosystem under unbearable pressure, resulting in soil erosion, desertification, drought, dry wetlands and sandstorms.
Excessive withdrawal of water from wells was 200 million cubic meters a year in 1976 and has jumped to 20 billion plus cubic meters.
According to Kalantari, the pattern of procrastination by automakers and the influence of their strong lobbies notwithstanding, the Department of Environment insists on its stance that car companies must start producing advanced engines compliant with Euro 5 emissions standards.
“We are resolute in not wanting to issue licenses for manufacturing poor quality vehicles with Euro 4 emissions standards. However, DOE does not have the liberty to proceed on its own because the country is under US sanctions and tough decisions can adversely affect the job market,” Kalantari said.
“It is indeed regrettable that DOE’s choices are “not between good and the bad, but between bad and worse”.
In a rare admission, Kalantari admitted that taking on automakers is difficult not only due to their strong connections but also because of the US restrictions that have curtailed access to materials and modern technology for the huge but appallingly dysfunctional auto sector.
