Shina Ansari, head of the Department of Environment, announced the activation of the Steering Council of Golestan National Park on September 1 during a meeting of the Administrative Council of North Khorasan. This news was met with diverse reactions on social media and among environmental activists. Some experts expressed concerns about the weakening of the park's integrated management, while others emphasized the need for greater participation from the relevant provinces in the protection of this area.
The Role of the Steering Council in Park Management
Bahman Noori, the governor of North Khorasan, stated that the overall policy of Golestan National Park is the responsibility of the Department of Environment, which must determine the management model and the way relevant provinces participate. Noori referred to the park's area, about 43% of which is located in North Khorasan, and added that the geography of the park should not be overlooked. He considered the activation of the Steering Council an opportunity to utilize the capabilities of the three provinces of Golestan, North Khorasan, and Semnan in protecting the park.
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Maintaining Integrated Management of Golestan National Park
The director general of Golestan's environment also mentioned the presence of 36 villages surrounding the park and stated that local communities' participation in the park's protection, especially during fires, has played a significant role. He emphasized that Golestan National Park does not belong to one province and that protection efforts must be coordinated and integrated.
Mehdi Timouri, the former head of Golestan National Park, also viewed this issue from another angle and welcomed the activation of the Steering Council while emphasizing the need to maintain the park's integrated management. He stated that Golestan National Park is a unified and interconnected ecosystem and should not be managed based on political borders.
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