Tehran – Some 165 million saplings have been planted across the country since the start of the year 1403 as part of efforts to combat environmental crisis, according to the head of Iran's Natural Resources and Watershed Management Organization.

 

165 million saplings have been planted across the country in the current Iranian calendar year 1403 (which starts on March 20, 2024), Ali Teymouri said.

 

He further emphasized the need for the expansion tree-planting efforts due to the increasing number of critical environmental zones in Iran, which now cover an estimated 15 million hectares.

 

"Tree planting is a top priority for Forests, Range and Watershed Management Organization," he said.

 

According to Teymouri, 240 million saplings were produced in 200 nurseries across Iran last year, with half of those coming from the private sector.

 

He also highlighted the need for Iran to adopt modern technologies in forest protection, similar to those used by neighboring countries.

 

The official said deserts constitute some 32 million hectares of 134 million hectares of natural land across the country.