Baku, Azerbaijan, March 9
By Farhad Daneshvar - Trend:
On the occasion of the National Tree Planting Week in Iran, the country's President Hassan Rouhani has planted a tree in the compound of the president office aimed at encouraging people and groups to plant and care for trees.
Criticizing wrong measures taken in the country regarding environment over the past several years, President Rouhani, called on the country's officials to confront those who destroy forests, IRIB news agency reported.
"Unfortunately, the statistics show that wrong measures have been taken regarding deforestation over the past several years in the country," Rouhani said.
He further said that the executive and judicial branches of government as well as the nation and media should join efforts to protect the environment, forests and pastures.
Iranians annually observe the National Tree Planting week between March 5-12.
Last November, the deputy head of Iranian Department of Environment (DOE) within the President's Office, Esmail Kahrom told Trend that the DOE suffered from lack of funds and human resources.
He added that lack of funds and human resources prevent the department from taking proper measures to protect the forests.
Smuggling of wood, unauthorized cut downs, wildfires as well as unauthorized pasturage of livestock are among the main reasons for deforestation in Iran.
Iran's president Rouhani goes green
On the occasion of the National Tree Planting Day in Iran, the country's President Hassan Rouhani has planted a tree in the compound of the president office aimed at encouraging people and groups to plant and care for trees.
