The Department of Environment has cautioned against the early launch of development projects in the Mokran region of Sistan-Baluchestan Province while environmental studies have not been completed yet.
Parvin Farshchi, DOE's marine environment deputy, stressed that no scheme should be implemented prior to the completion of ecological assessments.
"Economical progress and job creation in Mokran is necessary, but hastiness in inaugurating the plans is a cause for concern," she told ISNA.
A working group on the development of Mokran coastal strip has been holding discussions for two years, in which the DOE is an active member.
It has so far carried out one phase of environmental studies and is set to begin the second phase this year.
"The first stage involved ecological capability evaluation of the region as well as zoning that defines where each industry can be set up," the official explained.
Vulnerable ecosystems on land and in the water were also determined during this round of research.
However, the second phase, which was due to be conducted last year, was postponed to this year due to a delay in fund allocation.
This stage is set to determine the type of industries to be developed and the permitted production capacity in proportion to the ecological capability of the region.
Waiting for Funds
"We are now waiting for 17 billion rials ($400,000) of budget to start the project, which will take between six to nine months to be conducted with full details," she said.
Besides DOE, the Roads Ministry and Chabahar Free Zone Organization have conducted relevant feasibility studies.
Farshchi stressed that all the research data should be put together to be able to precisely locate industrial towns and define the details of projects.
"In a dry region, which is greatly affected by climate change, where salt marshes are spreading and dust storms rising, we should decide which industries are socially and environmentally appropriate and economically justifiable," Farshchi said.
Mokran is a coastal strip along the coast of the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman in the southeast of Iran and southwest of Pakistan.
The climate is dry with little rainfall. Mokran is very sparsely inhabited, with much of the population concentrated in a string of small ports, including Chabahar, Gwatar and Jask.
A key feature of the area is its direct access to free international waters through the whole southern border and proximity to Pakistan, Afghanistan and further to Central Asian countries.
