Mohammad Hossein Hassan Zadeh, the Director General of Environmental Protection of East Azerbaijan, expressed concern over the accumulation of waste in the protected area of Ainalo and called for greater participation from the public and tourists in nature conservation. In a report, he referred to the poor waste management situation in this area and stated: "Protecting nature requires comprehensive collaboration, and we cannot achieve satisfactory results through punitive measures alone."
Worrying Situation in Ainalo
Ainalo, as one of the protected areas with limited capacity, faces an influx of tourists during holidays and the summer season. Hassan Zadeh explained that during these days, the inappropriate behavior of some tourists and the lack of facilities lead to waste accumulation and unpleasant scenes in nature. He added: "In some areas, even the simultaneous passage of two vehicles is problematic, but we see that with the increase in the number of tourists, more pressure is exerted on the region."
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Shared Responsibility in Nature Conservation
Hassan Zadeh pointed out that rangers are also present for nature protection in Ainalo, stating: "We also engage in waste collection, but this should not mean that we are solely responsible for the cleanliness of the area. Everyone should participate in this regard." He also mentioned the good cooperation of the local community in waste collection, saying: "Villagers have gone beyond their duties in some cases to clean the area."
The Director General of Environmental Protection of East Azerbaijan also announced new plans for investment and tourism development in the province, stating that adherence to environmental considerations will be a prerequisite for these investments.
Hassan Zadeh emphasized the importance of education and cultural development in this area, saying: "We must teach responsibility towards nature from a young age. Although many forces may come to the area to collect waste, without changing the incorrect culture of littering in nature, these efforts will yield no results."
He concluded with hope for the future of Ainalo, stating: "This area is a valuable natural asset, and we should not tarnish its image with inappropriate behaviors. If we all cooperate, we can effectively protect these natural assets."
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