126 Iranian Scholars Urge President Pezeshkian to Halt Dissolution of Natural Resources and Watershed Management Organization
In a strongly worded open letter, 126 prominent professors of natural resources and environmental sciences from across Iran have called on President Masoud Pezeshkian to immediately revoke a recent administrative council decision that effectively dismantles the country’s Natural Resources and Watershed Management Organization. The academics warn that such a move could have “irreversible consequences” for Iran’s forests, rangelands, and ecosystems.
According to Salamat News, the signatories—comprising faculty from major universities and research institutes—expressed deep concern over the decision of the Supreme Administrative Council to “fragment the structure, separate duties, and transfer core missions” of the organization to other government bodies. They argue that this restructuring undermines the integrated management of Iran’s natural resources and risks accelerating land degradation, deforestation, desertification, groundwater depletion, floods, soil erosion, and dust storms.
In their letter, the professors outline four major objections:
- The decision weakens one of Iran’s key state institutions responsible for safeguarding natural resources, raising fears of its de facto dissolution.
- Dividing responsibilities between multiple agencies destroys the unified structure necessary for sustainable management of forests, rangelands, deserts, and watersheds.
- The measure contradicts existing national laws, including the Forest Nationalization Act and the Forest and Rangeland Protection Act.
- Transferring responsibilities to local offices and private actors could fuel land grabbing and resource exploitation under the guise of economic development.
The scholars urged the president to uphold his commitment to scientific expertise and environmental protection by immediately canceling the decision before it causes irreparable harm to Iran’s natural heritage.
