INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
preserving the valuable biodiversity of the region.Despite the efforts of environmentalists, this day has not yet been included in the
country's official calendar, and its environmental problems still persist.Irregular exploitation of mines without environmental assessment,
animal hunting and grazing, the establishment of mountaineering and tourism camps, and irregular construction of roads and villas in the
areas around the slopes of Mount Damavand is among the serious environmental threats to the region.Mount Damavand, the highest peak in Iran,
is located in northeastern Tehran.Environmental enthusiasts believe that with the inclusion of Damavand Day in the official calendar of the
country, more attention should be paid to this unique natural phenomenon, but unfortunately, no action has been taken so far.Mount Damavand,
a potentially active volcano 5600-m high, is a stratovolcano that is the highest peak in Iran and the highest volcano in Asia, which is a
significant mountain in Persian mythology and folklore; it is the symbol of Iranian resistance against despotism and foreign rule in Persian
poetry and literature.It is in the middle of the Alborz range, near the southern coast of the Caspian Sea, in Amol County, Mazandaran
province, 66 kilometers (41 miles) northeast of the city of Tehran.Mount Damavand is the 12th most prominent peak in the world and the
second most prominent in Asia after Mount Everest
It is part of the Volcanic Seven Summits mountaineering challenge.The peak has been plagued by many environmental problems in recent years,
including, road construction, high tourist traffic flow, poor mining, overgrazing of livestock in the pastures around the peak slopes,
depletion of Dasht-e Shaghayegh (the plain of Iranian poppies) by tourists, land-use changes and construction.Mountains are home to 15
humanity, so their conservation is a key factor for sustainable development.Because all kinds of precious metals and stones, coal, and other
raw materials are hidden in the heart of the mountains, they have always been encroached on by humans; also due to agricultural lands which
are used for forage production, herbs, livestock breeding, production of meat, dairy and all kinds of food.Unfortunately, mountains are
under threat from climate change and overexploitation, and Damavand is no exception.Meanwhile, NGOs and environmental organizations have
taken action to address these problems
Some local and indigenous peoples whose settlements are exposed to environmental damage have also taken action to prevent the threats, but
yet the government and non-governmental organizations have not been able to work together and resolve the issue.Formation of special working
environmental activity among environmental activists, especially in the mountainous sector, it is necessary that public organizations,
government agencies, and locals form a special working group to protect and preserve Mount Damavand.However, environmental activists have
not yet been able to properly sensitize local people to the effects of the destruction of natural areas around their residences
seems to be no priority for responsible bodies such as the Department of Environment (DOE), and the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism,
and Handicrafts.Although the DOE registered the upper part of the peak as a natural monument a few years ago, it has not done any protection
measures for this 2500-m height so far.Also, in 2008, Damavand was nationally registered as the first natural and historical monument by the
no choice but to gather governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, and locals to cooperate; therefore, it is suggested that a
working group be formed with the presence of the people and various organizations interested in preserving Damavand, responsible bodies such
as the DOE, the Forests, Rangelands, and Watershed Management Organization, and the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts,
he explained.This working group can prepare instructions that must be implemented by all; for instance, related agencies will provide
facilities, funds, and expertise to help identify problems in the region, and NGOs, as a line of communication between the government and
locals, will hold training courses and promote culture among the people, he noted.In this working group, locals will be tasked with
protecting Damavand; once the protection of the environment becomes a culture for the people of the region, destruction will no longer
continue but will be minimized, he added.The first program of Damavand Day, which was held with the cooperation of the Tehran climb board,
mountain climbing buffs, mountaineering groups, and the media from June 22 to 24, 2004, was accompanied by hundreds of climbers to
symbolically collect the waste in Damavand mountainous area.And each year, a special program has been conducted to mark this day, meanwhile,
the officials are expected to seriously consider the protection of Damavand, so that it will no longer be subject to deliberate and
unintentional destruction.MG
