Ilam province proposed as pilot for green tourism in Iran

Shina Ansari, head of the Department of Environment, has proposed that Ilam province serve as a national pilot for ‘green tourism’ due to its rich biodiversity and valuable habitats. During a visit to the province, Ansari emphasized that environmental protection must be integrated with balanced development to avoid unsustainable growth.

Addressing environmental challenges in border regions, Ansari highlighted the issue of dust storms, noting that many dust sources are transboundary. To combat this, Iran is seeking regional consensus in West Asia and has brought the management of critical dust sources to the United Nations. Additionally, bilateral agreements with Iraq are being pursued to manage and mitigate these storms.

During a visit to the Koleg Protected Area near Mehran, Ansari also discussed strengthening conservation infrastructure. Plans include increasing the number of environmental ranger stations, upgrading equipment, and addressing personnel shortages through new recruitment programs once administrative processes and budgets are finalized.