Self-sufficiency in such industries as foodstuff production employing unsustainable methods has come at an exorbitant price for the environment, said the top authority at the Department of Environment.
In a recent meeting with Iran's Chamber of Cooperatives and members of its agriculture commission, Isa Kalantari, the DOE chief, noted that sustainable development has been almost ignored in development programs and unfortunately the already troubled environment should pay the price, Zist Online reported.
"We have extremely weakened the soil for wheat production and livestock breeding, giving space to pests to spread pollution and disease," Kalantari said.
Short-term goals and wrong policies in usage of natural sources not only have strangled the country's productivity in agriculture, but have also made Iran the first country with the huge amount of 12 to 16 million tons of degraded soil.
The Agriculture Ministry has been tasked by law to reach self-sufficiency in 95% of food products.
"This will ruin the country's environment if not practiced through adoption of scientific strategies [and principles of sustainable development]," Kalantari noted.
Focus on Sustainability
The official highlighted his department's determination to support sustainable development.
"Any sort of activity failing to adhere to the principles of sustainable development will not be licensed by DOE while those upholding the rules will be fully supported."
He pointed to restrictions on the establishment of steel and petrochemical industries as an example.
"Steel and petrochemical industries will not be licensed by DOE unless set up in coastal regions," he said.
The industries are highly water-intensive and put great strain on the dwindling resources of central regions.
According to Kalantari, sustainable development hinges on four principles: all the activities should be economically justified, economic activities should not go against social norms, the environment should not be victimized and all the development plans should be devised with an eye on the rights of next generations.
