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Written by Administrator
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Monday, 09 June 2008 |
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Land degradation and desertification is one of the pressing challenges of the Islamic Republic of Iran. About 85% of the area (about 39.4 million ha out of 164.8 million ha) has been classified as arid and semi-arid which just receives between 30 to 250 mm of rainfall annually. Many of the semi-arid areas are degraded with a vegetative cover ranging from 5% to 50%. Yet if nothing is done in these low rainfall areas, the incidence of desert creep and rangeland degradation will increase with more adverse social and environmental consequences. Realizing the serious problems posed by land degradation and desertification for the nation building and prosperity of the people, the government has identified the rehabilitation of degraded lands as its one of the top development priorities. The Government policy of vesting the ownership of resources and reclaimed land to local community is worth noting here.In April 2003, a ‘carbon sequestration’ initiative funded by Global Environment Facility (GEF) was signed between the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran (GIRl) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to promote and model carbon sequestration by planting resistant species in dry land area through participatory approach to land management.It has been generally believed that dry areas can be rejuvenated at a relatively low cost if a partnership is formed between the people, the government and civil society. Incorporating woody plants into the reclamation programme it can reduce desert creep, provide some animal browse and at the same time increase the carbon store. Duration of the project and budget: • Project duration: 6 years • Total budget: US$1,709,939 |
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