Tehran to Establish 100 Environment Houses

The province of Tehran will see the establishment of 100 environment houses by the end of the year in March, Rouhollah Ebadi, head of the office of education and public participation, affiliated with Tehran’s Department of Environment, announced on Saturday.
“The establishment and inauguration of environment houses aim at education, cultivating culture and raising public awareness,” Ebadi was quoted as saying by ISNA. 
According to the official, one of the government’s priorities is to involve the public in the protection of the environment and environment houses can become the bedrock for collaboration, understanding, and effective volunteer work.
Ebadi said, “Since the launch of this program, 21 environment houses have been set up,” adding that the figure will increase to 100 over the span of the next nine months.
He noted that the very first four houses were opened on the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in early February.
Two of the four are located in Ray County, one in the village of Tochal in Pakdasht County and another in Qods County.
The houses have been founded in universities, metro stations, mosques, libraries, industrial parks as well as Institutes for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults. 
Two independent houses run by non-profit organizations have also been established, Ebadi said.
He pointed out, “Public education is a top priority for the Department of Environment so that with their help, management of the environment can be made possible.”
On the activities carried out by the houses, the official gave an example from one of the independent houses, which holds four workshops on a weekly basis.
Iran has been struggling with the effects of climate change, including declining water reserves and sand and dust storms. The environmental problems have brought the topic of sustainable development to the forefront of policy-making.