Wetlands Protection Bill Signed Into Law

President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday signed the Wetlands Protection Bill into law, enhancing protection for Iran's imperiled wetlands.

According to the president's official website President.ir, the Department of Environment has begun implementing the new regulations.

Proposed in May 2015, the bill was finally reviewed and passed by lawmakers on April 24 and approved by the Guardians Council on May 3.

The five-article bill aims to protect Iran's wetlands from any activity that "pollutes and causes irreparable damage to wetlands".

The Department of Environment will be tasked with determining the water rights of every wetland and the Energy Ministry must ensure the water rights are upheld. The bill also bans people from growing non-endemic or otherwise invasive plant species around the wetlands.

First-time offenders will not only have to compensate for the damage they inflict, but will also be fined anywhere between three and five times the damage they cause. Repeat offenders will be fined up to eight times the losses inflicted.

Revenue from the penalties will be used to fulfill the task of reviving and preserving the endangered wetlands.