Sand and Dust Storms

  • Mulching in sandy fields of Khuzestan

    Photo: Ali Moaref

    Mulching in sandy fields of Khuzestan

    More than 60 years has passed since the first mulching in the sandy fields of Khuzestan, and this long time has not been able to create an understanding between the supporters and opponents of using mulch. Now, this old story has once again been discussed by activists and environmental experts. Proponents of mulching see the conversion of 63,000 hectares of sandy fields of Khuzestan into hand-planted forests as a reason for the successful implementation of mulching in the province, and the opponents consider soil stabilization at a heavy cost, the destruction of the natural ecosystem of sandy fields and damage to the environment to be unjustifiable as well. Experts in the field of desert and natural resources believe that mulching along with biological stabilization is one of the successful methods of stabilizing quicksands, and the opponents are of the opinion that the negative effects and consequences of mulching are more than the positive results and they do not consider it necessary to do this for some reasons. Some activists and environmental experts consider the destruction of the ecosystem of sand dunes and the subsequent unique and rare plants and animals of sandy areas and the migration of rare native animal species among the negative results of mulching and on the other hand in defense for mulching, stabilization of quicksands, increase of fodder production per hectare and development of animal husbandry, prevention of influx of quicksands to residential areas and finally prevention of migration of villagers are considered positive achievements of mulching.

  • UN-ESCAP secy. hails Iran’s attention to environmental issues

    UN-ESCAP secy. hails Iran’s attention to environmental issues

    Tehran, IRNA – Senior UN Official Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana has said that a speech by Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi at the latest international conference on combating dust and sand storms shows the Islamic Republic’s high-level attention to protecting the environment.

  • Iran calls for regional database to combat sand, dust storms

    Iran calls for regional database to combat sand, dust storms

    Tehran, IRNA- The president of the Iran Meteorological Organization has highlighted the growing impact of climate change on extreme weather events such as dust and sand storms, saying an international conference on the issue being held in Tehran is a great opportunity for West and South Asian countries to take coordinated action to combat the recurrent phenomena.

  • Tehran will take tangible actions to combat dust storms: Official

    Tehran will take tangible actions to combat dust storms: Official

    Tehran, IRNA – Head of Iran’s Department of Environment says the Iranian administration will not stop at signing agreements on combating sand and dust storms and will take action in this regard.

  • Iran Pres says protection of environment, inevitable priority

    Iran Pres says protection of environment, inevitable priority

    Tehran, IRNA – Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said here on Tuesday that protecting the environment is quite necessary and urged everyone to put all diplomatic and political formalities aside and try to protect it.

  • UAE, Iran to bolster coop. to combat dust storms

    UAE, Iran to bolster coop. to combat dust storms

    Tehran, IRNA – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Iran are going to ink a memorandum of understanding on expansion of cooperation in combating dust storms, an Iranian official said.

  • APDIM Director: Iran at forefront of understanding sand, dust storm

    By Ali Izadi

    APDIM Director: Iran at forefront of understanding sand, dust storm

    Tehran, IRNA – The director of the Asian and Pacific Centre for the Development of Disaster Information Management (APDIM) said that the Islamic Republic of Iran is really at forefront in terms of understanding the problem of sand and dust storms as well as dealing with it.

  • UN vows to collaborate with Iran in fighting negative impact of sand, dust storms

    Interview by Ali Izadi

    UN vows to collaborate with Iran in fighting negative impact of sand, dust storms

    Tehran, IRNA - Director of the Asian and Pacific Centre for the Development of Disaster Information Management (APDIM) offered readiness for facilitating collaborations to mitigate the negative impact of sand and dust storms at regional and intra-regional levels.

  • Sand and dust storms risk assessment in Asia and Pacific

    Sand and dust storms risk assessment in Asia and Pacific

    Tehran, IRNA- According to a new UN report, more than 500 million people in India and more than 80 percent of the entire populations of Turkmenistan, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and the Islamic Republic of Iran are exposed to medium and high levels of poor air quality due to sand and dust storms.