Shina Ansari, the head of the Department of Environment, at the ceremony honoring environmental guards on the occasion of National Environmental Guard Day (November 8), pointed out the serious damages to more than 13 protected areas in the country during recent wars, and announced the necessity of amending laws related to environmental guards, especially the gun carrying law.
War Damages to the Environment
Ansari stated that environmental guards, in addition to their mission of protecting natural areas, have also strived to defend the territorial integrity of the country during times of war, saying: "During the recent wars, more than 13 protected areas in the country were damaged, and losses were inflicted on environmental guard posts and wildlife."
Read more: Tehran Municipality Helps Revive Chitgar by Planting Native Trees
She referred to the painful story of Javad Hassan Zadeh, an environmental guard from Hormozgan, who lost two family members in an attack on the Chizhar environmental guard post, but despite this great sorrow, returned to his mission.
The Necessity of Supporting Environmental Guards
Shina Ansari also remembered the 154 martyr environmental guards who sacrificed their lives for the protection of the country’s nature and emphasized that the memory of these dear ones should turn into a more serious commitment to protect natural resources. She announced that currently, 374 environmental guards have been injured or disabled.
She emphasized that environmental guards are not just guardians of a region, saying: "They are protectors of biological security and guardians of biodiversity, and they are at the forefront of combating environmental violations."
Ansari called for greater attention to the knowledge and experience of environmental guards and added: "Many of these forces have university education and expertise in the field of environment, and this scientific capital should be utilized in educational policies and career advancement."
She also announced government actions to improve the conditions of environmental guards and develop infrastructure, stating: "In the past two years, more than 300 operational vehicles have been provided, and the smart management of 17 areas under the management of the environment is underway."
Ansari further pointed out the necessity of amending laws related to environmental guards and stated: "The law on the use of firearms is one of the existing gaps that, with the follow-up of parliamentary representatives, is on the agenda for amendment and will soon be reviewed in the parliament's open session."
The head of the Department of Environment emphasized the cooperation of responsible agencies in accelerating the process of recognizing the martyrdom of environmental guards, stating that judicial support for environmental guards and effective action against environmental violators is essential.
She also pointed out that sustainable protection of nature cannot be achieved solely through combating violations and added: "Community participation, trust-building, and public education can reduce pressures on field forces and turn nature protection into a shared commitment."
Read more: A New Rain System Enters the Country and Snow in the Heights · Household Cost Management with the Sale of Detergents by the Kilogram in Fruit and Vegetable Markets
