Leader reiterates need for protecting woodlands

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei described the country’s forests, rangelands and croplands as “great national assets”, calling for action against those damaging the environment for personal benefits.

“The officials in charge of the forests, rangelands and farmlands must attach great significance to their job and strive to protect such great national asset,” the Leader said on Wednesday, after planting two fruit saplings to mark the national Week of Natural Resources.

He then pointed to the country’s areas rich in green vegetation, including diverse medicinal plants or the thick forests in northern Iran, and bemoaned the fact that some smugglers are exploiting the country’s woodlands and natural resources without regard for the national interests.

“Those forests must be protected from exploitation,” he underscored.

Ayatollah Khamenei then warned against the consequences of destruction of vegetation, such as dust and particle pollution, air pollution, and unhealthy air in the cities, stressing that protection of plants in Iran is of greater significance given the country’s climate and large desert areas.

He finally praised the quality of Iranian fruits and deplored the import of fruits as a “wrong move”, calling on officials to stop importing fruits from abroad unless in very necessary cases.

Every year in March, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution plants saplings as a symbolic gesture of respect for the world of nature, and highlights the need for collective efforts to safeguard the environment.

SS/AS