Tehran – Protecting soil and water resources is fundamental to Iran’s food security and long-term environmental sustainability, the head of the country’s Soil Conservation and Watershed Management Research Institute says.

 

Ataollah Ebrahimi made the remarks at the 8th National Conference on Soil Conservation and Watershed Management on Tuesday, warning that high soil erosion rates, climate variability and increasingly unpredictable rainfall are complicating natural resource management in Iran, which lies largely in the world’s arid and semi-arid belt.

 

He described soil and water as the cornerstones of food security, stressing that their degradation could threaten agricultural production and the country’s long-term territorial sustainability.

 

Ebrahimi said effective watershed management requires an integrated, multidisciplinary approach that addresses ecological, social and economic factors. He also highlighted the need for stronger scientific models, adaptive management strategies and greater participation by local communities to address the growing uncertainties associated with climate change.

 

Turning to practical solutions, Ebrahimi said about 10 million hectares of land across Iran have potential for aquifer management projects. These initiatives can help replenish groundwater reserves, improve water resource management and mitigate the effects of water scarcity.

 

He added that the institute has accumulated nearly three decades of research and practical experience in aquifer management and is ready to share its findings and applied methods with relevant agencies.

 

Ebrahimi called for closer cooperation among research institutions, government agencies, local communities and international partners to strengthen soil and water conservation and safeguard Iran’s natural resources for future generations.