Tehran – Iran is intensifying efforts to protect, restore, and sustainably manage its rangelands, the country’s largest natural ecosystem, according to the Director General of the Rangeland Affairs Office at the Natural Resources and Watershed Management Organization.

 

Abolqasem Hosseinpour said Iran’s 83 million hectares of rangelands remain a national priority, with conservation, restoration, and development taking precedence over utilization.

 

“More than one million nomadic and rural rangeland users manage these areas and support the livelihoods of millions through the stewardship of approximately 37 million authorized livestock units.”

 

He noted that management plans have been prepared for 47 million hectares of rangelands, including over 2 million hectares under integrated and multi-purpose projects aimed at balancing environmental protection with sustainable economic use.

 

According to Hosseinpour, the ecological value of rangelands far exceeds their direct economic benefits, with roughly 75 percent of their value linked to environmental services such as water regulation, soil conservation, carbon sequestration, dust control, and biodiversity protection.

 

“Favorable rainfall this year boosted forage production to an estimated 9 million tons, valued at more than 300 trillion rials, providing significant support to Iran’s livestock sector. Rangelands also contribute to medicinal plant production, honey output, and rural tourism.”

 

Restoration efforts are also accelerating, the official said, adding that more than 66,000 hectares of medicinal plant habitats were rehabilitated over the past year, while government funding for rangeland programs in the proposed 1405 budget has increased sixfold, providing a major boost to conservation and restoration initiatives.

 

Hosseinpour emphasized that safeguarding Iran’s vast rangelands is essential for protecting water and soil resources, combating land degradation, strengthening food security, and supporting sustainable rural development.