Management and funding
This is a project between the Iran Government and the United Nations Development Progarmme (UNDP)and the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The main responsibility for the project falls under the Department for the Environment but there is input from other areas of government as well. The project is run at the highest level by a steering committee, members of which are high-level officials from the various main stakeholders. The committee provides overall guidance and support to project implementation activities.
The project is funded both by the Iranian Government and international parties. The Government commitment is worth around US$9 million both in cash and in kind whilst international support is around US$2.9 million.
Founded
The project intially started in 2004 but was then delayed for a year with work recommencing in 2005
Description
The project has two demonstration sites, Lake Urmia and Lake Parishan, both of which are globally significant wetland ecosystems. The project's objectives are to systematically remove or at the least to substantially decrease the threats facing globally significant biodiversity and sustainablilty at the lakes. The lessons learned through the work will be absorbed within Wetland Protection Areas (WPAs) throughout Iran and particularly at a set of target replication sites.
CEPA (Communications, education & public awareness) activities
General
The project is designed around the premise that decision-makers and local communities will only support the restoration and sustainable management of wetlands if they are aware of and benefit from the multiple values of these areas and if they are involved in their management.
Formal (school and university) learning
Grants are in place for MSc and PhD students to work on appropriate theses.
Informal (general public) learning
A quarterly bulletin is published covering the project's activities. Posters are in place to raise public awareness. Two sets of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) guidelines dealing with alien species have been translated into Farsi. There is an internet expert group that reports to its members on project activities.
Professional
Training workshops are held for experts from governmental bodies, particularly the Department of the Environment.
Advisory workshops also take place to prepare integrated management plans for the lakes with a focus on participatory management.
Staffing
The project is run by thirteen staff in national and provincial offices. In addition four national and six international consultants provide technical support for the project's activities
There is a Public Awareness and Communication Coordinator who works in association with two consultants at national and international levels.
Contacts
Iranian Wetlands Conservation Project
Block D, Museum Building, Pardisan Eco-park, Hakim Highway, Tehran, Iran
T: 0098 21 8824 1658
F: 0098 21 8824 1658
Ms Mehri Asnaashari E: mehrin3000@yahoo.com
Dr Ali Nazaridoust E: wetlandnpm@yahoo.com