Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei called on officials to take "decisive" measures to address environmental issues.
"The resolution of environmental problems such as air pollution, dust storms and destruction of jungles and green spaces requires prudent planning and decisive and sustained efforts by the relevant organizations," the Leader said in an address to a gathering of environmental officials in Tehran on Sunday, IRNA reported.
Relevant bodies should counter any attempt to destroy jungles "under whatever pretext such as building hotels, attracting tourists… or for any other apparently justifiable reason," he noted.
Pointing to Islam's view on the significance of preserving the earth and public wealth, Ayatollah Khamenei said, "Islam and other divine religions have always stressed the human's sense of responsibility toward nature and (called for) maintaining the balance between the human and nature, as loss of the balance is the main reason behind environmental problems."
The Leader said environmental challenges are prevalent around the world, noting, "The experience of different countries shows that many of environmental problems are predictable and solvable."
The issue of environment is not the responsibility of a particular administration, Ayatollah Khamenei said, adding, "It is rather a national matter, addressing whose relevant problems necessitates us to join hands."
He pointed to the phenomenon of land grabbing, stressing, "Such acts should be regarded as crimes by law and the related offenders should be prosecuted (and punished) without leniency."
He also underlined the need to consider the environmental implications of developmental, industrial and commercial plans before their approval and to revise the rules regarding the environment.
