The Necessity of Carrying out Studies on the Effects of Climate Change on Wetlands Drying up

The national manager of Conservation of Iranian Wetlands Project argues that we have to perform studies on the impacts of climate change on wetlands drying up in order to determine the contributions from climate change and lack of good management practices in this trend.

On February 2, in a press conference for World Wetlands Day, Ali Arvahi, the National Director for CIWP, suggested that: “this research model has been implemented in Bakhtegan Wetland and we are going to design the same model for Lake Urmia”.
He mentioned the ecosystemic management of wetlands and added: “In Article 38, Note D of the Sixth National Development Plan for Iran, the ecosystemic management of wetlands is emphasized, and accordingly, 20 percent of wetlands under critical conditions must recover.”
“We have devised and communicated management plans for 17 wetlands, which will be followed by activating the intradepartmental management of wetlands. Moreover, we are in the process of devising this plan for 17 other wetlands, which are nearly completed”, added the National Director for CIWP.
Arvahi emphasized that writing and communicating plans was not enough; rather, all different departments must work together to move forward with the protection of wetlands. In this regard, one of the most important factors is the social demand, which must be boosted.
The national manager of Conservation of Iranian Wetlands Proj said: “we know that the country’s water resources are limited, and the livelihood of a large number of people depends on wetlands. Therefore, we are considering localized and participatory models for reviving wetlands. We have done this for Lake Urmia with the participation of 106 villages. Studies have shown that by executing this plan, we have saved 35 percent of water consumed for agriculture.”
He emphasized that: “In fact, people and the broader society must take action as the main stakeholders of wetlands and they have to participate in reviving these wetlands. On the other hand, the issue of tourism and natural tourism based on wetlands is another important issue for sustainable local income that must be managed properly. We hope that these actions can be considered as a pattern and a model in such plans. Moreover, preparing business plans and determining the value of wetlands must be considered.”
“Considering the importance of wetlands, we have to be able to maintain their function, which requires a least volume of water to enter these wetlands in order to maintain their function. For instance, the water level in Lake Urmia is currently 1271 meters which is still not equal to its ecological level of 1274 meters. However, within the next five years, the trend will go upwards, which became possible with the participation of local people as well as different organizations. Until we correct the implementation and utilization system, we cannot be hopeful about protecting wetlands”, emphasized Arvahi.