Iran's Forests, Range and Watershed Management Organization has received a fund of $200 million from the National Development Fund of Iran, an official with the FRWMO said.
According to Fariborz Gheibi, the money will be spent on protection, restoration, development and utilization of watersheds, aquifers, ranges and woodlands, ISNA reported.
"NDFI's budgets are often used in highly critical conditions, but since water and watershed management are of utmost importance to society, the FRWMO has managed to win a share of the funds," he said.
"The measure is taken to reduce the pace of damage to the woodlands and ranges afflicted by the climate change," Gheibi said, emphasizing that the proper implementation of a well-thought-out plan together with public participation can give the harmed environment a second chance to revive."
As the official noted during a recent meeting in Lorestan Province, under the previous policies of FRWMO, biological aspects regarding the environment had been left out.
"However, thanks to the modifications in the agenda, a comprehensive policy will govern the projects, which is expected to cover a wide range of environmental issues [so that the fund would be spent efficiently]."
***Sapling Planting
FRWMO has several revival plans underway which the current fund will help push forward.
Among them is a seedling-planting mission which directly involves local people.
Gheibi noted that planting saplings is a multi-purpose project which aims to alleviate the troubled soil, contribute to restoration of ground water resources and promote the locals' engagement.
"Endemic plants will be used in schemes, but to create financial incentives, local farmers will be allowed to plant medicinal herbs," he said.
A large part of planting has been delegated to the private sector and the public, he added.
The other project in line with efforts to protect forests and ranges is to clearly delineate the borders of the woodlands and plains.
According to an expert at FRWMO, "cadastre scheme" aims to comprehensively record land borders throughout the country to prevent overlaps and border invasions.
The plan has so far been implemented in 30 million hectares of the government-controlled properties.
