Erosion and the genetic impoverishment of plant species—particularly in the Zagros forests—remain among the major challenges facing Iran. The Zagros region is more than 130 years old in terms of documented history, and according to reports, the drought that struck in the late 1980s led to the death of many oak trees.
Naghi Shabani, advisor to the head of the country’s Natural Resources and Water Organization, stated that there are about 4 billion hectares of forests worldwide. He added: “Forest areas are shrinking globally. According to the annual report of international organizations, between 5 and 10 million hectares of forests are destroyed each year for various reasons.”
