June 30, 2008 - Villages in Central Zagros Celebrate the International Day for Biodiversity



Tehran, June 30, 2008 - In the heart of the Central Zagros Mountains, a region internationally recognized as one of the globally important spots for biological diversity, four villages in four provinces from 21-24 May organized their celebrations of the International Day for Biodiversity, attracting several hundred visitors from surrounding villages and the provincial capitals. The local nomads and villagers contributed to the colorful events with local food, herbal products, handicrafts and photo exhibitions. Officials from the provincial Department of Environment offices and some other government officials attended the village commemorations in a joint effort to highlight the biodiversity values and concerns in the region.
The commemoration events were coordinated by the Provincial Offices of the Department of Environment (DoE) in close collaboration with the Conservation of Biodiversity in Central Zagros Conservation Landscape project, a UNDP supported project that is co-financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to be implemented in the Central Zagros Mountains of Western Iran.
Introducing the aims of the joint UNDP and the Department of Environment project in Khafr Village in Esfahan Province, Dr. Mohammad Farhat, the National Project Manager, says: “The project has created an opportunity to develop the cultural, social and economic situation in the local communities and to contribute to restoration and conservation of biodiversity in the significant ecosystem of Central Zagros.” Dr. Farhat continues: “Local participation initiatives, such as these joint commemorations of the International Day for Biodiversity in the four provinces, are crucial for successful project achievements.”
Talking to the local community in Heidarabad Village in Chaharmahal & Bakhtiari province, Saeid Ferdowsi, Programme Manager in UNDP Iran’s Energy and Environment Unit, emphasizes: “A healthy environment lays the ground for sustainable human development and this will not happen in isolation. It is crucial that the local communities are involved in planning, decision making and implementation in all development decisions and conservation activities, and within this framework to provide for the equal opportunities for men and women in all levels of society.”
Soraya Kosari is 9 years old and has been looking forward to the painting competition in Morgun Village for a long time. She has walked several hours from her village Jiderzar, a village inaccessible by road and situated high up in the Zagros Mountains, to participate in the competition. Shining with joy after winning the first price in the afternoon, she modestly says: "The subject of my painting is Clean Nature. I think that this competition has made my friends and the other children think more about the environment and be more responsible.”
Maryam Sadeghi from Dehbaraftab Village in Kohgiluyeh & Boyerahmad Province has for a long time been closely working with the project. She is very excited about the commemoration activities in her village and says: "This is the first event that has been held in our village where everyone has contributed. This impressive participation has both contributed to making the event very good and has considerably raised awareness on biological diversity in the area.” Sadeghi continues: “Now that we in the local community are taking part in joint conservation efforts we are becoming more and more aware that the rich biological diversity in the surroundings of our village is in decline, and we are more determined to conserve this natural heritage."
The Conservation of Biodiversity in the Central Zagros Landscape Conservation Zone project is implemented in an area exceeding 2,500,000 hectares in Central Zagros, and aims to mainstream biodiversity conservation and sustainable use into the sectors of agriculture, forestry, rangelands, water and tourism. The project also demonstrates biodiversity mainstreaming at the local level in eight pilot villages in the four provinces of Esfahan, Chaharmahal & Bakhtiari, Kohgiluyeh & Boyerahmad and Fars, and establishes mechanisms to facilitate the dissemination and replication of the successful village approaches.
NEWS Room
-
UNDP Announces 2010 Red Ribbon Award Winners Twenty-five community-based organisations representing 17 countries across the globe have won the 2010 Red Ribbon Award. The Red Ribbon Award, named after the global symbol in the movement to address...
-
Consuelo Vidal: Investing on Women Entrepreneurs, Crucial for Development The First International Conference and Exhibition on Women and Trade kicked off in Tehran today, Tuesday 13 July. Organized by the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines, the Conference brought...
-
Consuelo Vidal: ‘Bam, a Global Cultural Heritage’ The sixth anniversary of the inscription of Bam and its cultural landscape was celebrated in Bam on Wednesday 7 July 2010 among the elite and officials of the City. The event was organized by the Governor...
-
Investing in MDGs; Investing in Global Economic Growth “By investing in the MDGs, we invest in global economic growth. By focusing on the needs of the most vulnerable, we lay the foundation for a more sustainable and prosperous tomorrow,”...
-
UNDP's Eight-point Action Agenda to Reduce Poverty and Achieve Sustainable Development The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched, on Thursday 17 June 2010, an extensive assessment of what must be done to advance sustainable development and reduce global poverty. ...
-
The UN Resident Coordniator's Visit to Bam, Kerman Province The United Nations Resident Coordinator (RC) and UNDP Resident Representative (RR) in the I.R. Iran Ms. Consuelo Vidal made a two-day visit to the UN recovery sites in Bam, Kerman Province on 14-15 June...
-
UNDP and the Government of Iran Pledge Further to Save the Asiatic Cheetah The UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in the Islamic Republic of Iran (I.R.I), Ms. Consuelo Vidal and Vice President and Head of the Iranian Department of Environment, Mr. Mohammad-Javad...
-
UN Resident Coordinator in Iran: No Room for Complacency; Much to Be Done in Line with Environmental Sustainability On the occasion of the World Environment (WED) 2010, the UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in the Islamic Republic of Iran (I.R.I.), Ms. Consuelo Vidal participated in the 4th...
-
Policy Makers Become Sensitized on HIV/AIDS Control UNDP Iran’s GFATM programme organised a workshop at Parsian Evin Hotel in Tehran 10 May 2010, to sensitise policy makers on the issue of HIV/AIDS control and prevention programs among university students...
-
Local Communities Rehabilitate Dry Areas through Carbon Sequestration The UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ms Consuelo Vidal and a team of UNDP programme specialists visited the project site for the Carbon Sequestration...
-
World Health Day 2010 Urban Health Matters! On the occasion of the World Health Day 2010 the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki-moon issued a message in line with this year’s theme ‘Urban...
-
Ms. Vidals's Remarks on the Occasion of the International Mine Awareness Day The UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ms. Consuelo Vidal participated in an event held by the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Mine Awareness Centre...
-
International Mine Awareness Day The Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki-moon issued a message on the occasion of 4 April, the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. In his message, he called...
-
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Photo Competition Awards Giving Ceremony TEHRAN, 14 March 2010 – The UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ms. Consuelo Vidal attended the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) photo competition...
-
Administrator's Remarks on the International Women's Day The Administrator of UNDP, Helen Clerk, issued a message on the occasion of 8 March, the International Women's Day. Referring to the past 15 years since 1995, the Administrator underlined that...
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
![]()
UN-Iran "Dialogue Among Civilizations" Poster
The Acrobat Reader is needed from Adobe Systems to view PDF files.
