Iran seeks afforestation program to address climate concerns

The deputy head of the Natural Resources and Watershed
Management Organization said the government has plans underway to create a
ten-year project to plant fast-growing forests on non-forested lands
countrywide.

“We are currently assessing and
selecting new sites for afforestation,” Naghi Shabanian said last week.

He added, “Several environmental factors of the site must be
analyzed, including climate, soil, vegetation, and human activity. These
factors will determine the quality of the site, what species of trees should be
planted, and what planting method should be used”. 

Afforestation is the establishment of a forest or stand of
trees (forestation) in an area where there was no previous tree cover. Many
government and non-governmental organizations directly engage in afforestation
programs to create forests and increase carbon capture. Afforestation is an
increasingly sought-after method to fight climate concerns, as it is known to
increase the soil quality and organic carbon levels into the soil, avoiding
desertification.

The project can help increase carbon sequestration and
mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while also considering the economic and
investment attractiveness of afforestation.

One billion saplings are projected to be planted across Iran
by 2026.