2015, First 6 Months Zagros Newsletter

Conservation of Biodiversity in Central Zagros Landscape Conservation Zone

Newsletter

The Concept of Zagros Green Grants

The concept behind the proposed ‘Green Grants’ Scheme is to provide a pro- gram of regular funding and technical assistance to enable local communities and community organisations, CBOs and NGOs, in the Central Zagros Moun- tains Conservation Zone, to plan and implement projects useful for nature conservation and sustainable development within the Conservation Area/ Zone.

Green Village development includes a series of activities and initiatives that en- hance the facilities and services available in the village and simultaneously the natural resources using system will be adjusted and reformed by the participa- tion of the local communities GOs, and NGOs and will result in a developed vil- lage that is green (eco-friendly). The Mechanisms of Developing Green Grants includes: Capacity building Persuading the local communities and the governmental planners in planning, implementing, and integrated and sus- tainable management of the villages in a way that it guarantees improvement of environmental, and socio-economic indicators at the level of village, Having the capability of being scaled-up to other villages in Central Zagros Mountains (based on the legal framework and executive capacity of the country.)

Some of these Green Initiatives are:

Green Village Initiative (sustainable energy, water, waste management, infrastructure) Sustainable Nomadic Life Initiative Sustainable Rangeland Initiative Sustainable Forest & Wood Initiative Green Agriculture Initiative Zagros Landscape Protection Initiative Green Rivers, Wetlands and Water Initiative Green Fish-Farming Initiative Green Infrastructure Initiative Zagros Green Tourism Initiative Green Livelihoods Initiative Newsletter

Green Village

The Conservation of Biodiversity in Central Zagros Landscape Conser- vation Zone Project has shared this important issue with all the key stakeholders in order to exchange views and by doing so the meth- ods of developing the target villages in CMAs to the Green Villages would be identified and the trends would be commonly used for other villages. Green Villages in CZM rely on sustainable manage- ment of energy, water, waste and infrastructure. These measures, when combined with other components of green initiatives can change the present reality of rural areas and form a model for an interconnected and inter-sectoral management. Of course, succeed- ing depends highly on participatory planning and management.

In this regard, the workshops were held to introduce the concept of Zagros Green Village, in the four provinces of the Central Zagros, using indicators such as: stable population, biological resources and rich landscape, etc. , a number of rural areas in the catchment manage- ment areas were selected to be changed in to the green. Dopolan Vil- lage in Chaharmahal o Bakhtiari was selected as the first pilot area of the green village along with holding consultative meetings with the key stakeholders such as With bilateral meetings with key stakeholders (Governorate, Housing Foundation, Water and Wastewater Organiza- tion of the village, Agricultural Jihad Office, Natural Resources Office, Department of Environment, ...), the responsibilities of each agencies and stakeholders in Dopolan were defined therefore the first step was

Green Tourism The Conservation of Biodiversity in Central Za- gros Landscape Conservation Zone Project in order to provide and develop the concept of green initiatives has introduced the concept of green tourism. In the spring of this year, the concept note of green tourism was developed and presented in the meetings at the offices of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism of the four provinces: Isfahan, Chaharmahal o Bakhtiari, Kohgiloye va Boyerahamad and Fars to the Key stakeholders at management level. The next steps for the tourism projects under development, operation, or performance, are introduced by the departments of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism and these will be turned in to the green projects by the participatory actions implemented by the relevant agencies. These will be financed via provincial Planning and Development Council follow-ups then the projects will be implemented and the final step is to evaluate and scale up the outcomes. It was also decided that in the upcoming meetings, tourism master plan for each of the provinces with respect to the components of green tourism will be examined.

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Green Rangelands and Landscape

To develop the concept of green initiatives range management and biodiversity conservation plan to protect the vision of joint meetings of the central Zagros in cooperation with the Office of Natural Resources and Watershed of Isfahan, Fars, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari and Kohgiluyeh va Boyer Ahmad, in May and June 1394 (2015) held the meetings at the offices in the natural resources organization. The key participants were in this meeting as the technical office of Research Center of Agriculture, the Secretary of the Asso- ciation of pastoralists, environmental NGos, tribal affairs and environmental expert. Finally, it was proposed that each province proposed one or two projects in these two areas, to include the principles of green initiatives announced at the next meeting. It should be noted that green initiatives in participatory management of rangeland management and conservation of the landscape, the aim is to achieve administrative projects catchment areas introduced and presented by the Management Committee after review and approval of the project in the province and headquarters are applicable.

Green Forest & Wood Initiative

To develop the concept of green initiatives forestry, joint meetings of the Zagros project in collaboration with the departments of Natural Re- sources and Watershed of Isfahan, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Fars and Kohgiluyeh va Boyerahamad were held in May and June 1394(2015) in the conference hall of Natural Resources offices provinces was held. Finally, it was proposed that each province one or two projects in the field of forestry, to include the principles of green initiatives announced at the next meeting. In Chaharmahal o Bakhtiari, the first one was proposed by the local people, with regard to the request of the local community, The "creation of gar- dens in the village area Gelsefid, Mashayekh", was suggested that in exchange for the cultivation of fruit trees and medicinal plants on 200 hectares of degraded forest lands, residents pledge, 88 hectares of degraded forest lands, do the enrichment, by planting native oak trees and peanuts. The plan is currently under review. Other examples include studies of the central Zagros in the area of forest conservation plan as "the study of the impact of environ- mental factors on the contaminated Iranian oak forest in the West- ern Dena" at Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad. This study is planned in three phases so far, the first two are done.

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Green Agriculture For this purpose, there were meetings held at 4 Agricul- ture Organization of Fars province, Kohgiloyeh va Boyerahamad, Chaharmahal o Bakhtiari, Isfahan in May 1394 and Green initiatives and sustainable agriculture program was presented to all relevant government stakeholders in the management and planning organiza- tion of the four provinces, and discussed about the na- ture of the program, course of action, the organization of labor, credit and operational requirements of the es- tablishment of the program in the form of participatory workshops were conducted. The expert panel also formed four agricultural coopera- tive groups to develop a plan of action to establish sus- tainable agriculture of the four provinces in central Za- gros mountain catmint management areas were ap- proved. In the subsequent meetings, action plans prepared by the Committees of provincial Jihad, will be investigated and implemented. Kor CMA in the province since 1391, sustainable agriculture program and the second phase of the development pro- grams focus on six villages in Kor is coming to an end. In May 1394 a meeting was in Agricultural Jihad were held to continue the third phase of sustainable agriculture program in the CMA of Fars Agriculture in drafting proposals for urgent action to executive pay to witness the final phase of implementing sustainable agriculture programs at Kor CMA.

At the same time in Dopolan, Chaharmahal o Bakhtiari two meetings were held with villagers in the spring, there the National Consultant introduced the objectives of biodiversity of conservation titled as Green Village, by identifying the leading reference group of farmers in the growing season, sustainable agriculture cultivates rice paddies village approach is being implemented on the ground.

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The Implementation of the Pilot Phase of the BEGs

Biodiversity Enterprise Grant Scheme, in line with the annual work plan of Zagros project as a protection strategy to empower individuals, communities and organizations were defined, to support the implementation of activities in line with the conservation of biodiversity, while launching gainful employment, reducing the pressure from un- sustainable use of biological resources, and takeeffective action for the economic prosperity of the region.

The steps of the project in the short term include: the implementation of piloting BEGs was completed on Biologi- cal Diversity, the results of which can be extracted. Two proposals on management of rangeland by planting en- demic plants and reducing the biodiversity threats in the Dezak were conducted to have mushroom cultivated as a supplement livelihoods in the Forest area of Chaharmahal o Bakhtiari Province were proposal by representatives of local groups and the participation of the Zagros project, the governor's office of Agriculture, NRo of Kiar. Ecot- ourism and rural tourism as well as two projects in the villages and the city of Vanak, and Dangezlu in Isfahan province were carried out by NGO Payam Avarane Sabze Semirom and Avaye Dashte Yaran and doen by the tech- nical support of the Zagros project, County Governor, Semirom cultural heritage and tourism office.

The Management Document of BR of Tange Sayad- Sabzkouh was done with the follow ups of The province's DoE and Governorate in the Zagros Project Area and with the range of 532,878 hectares, which has three areas: The Core Zone 21234 ha The Buffer Zone 241863 ha The Transitional Zone 269782 ha

These include National Park and Protected area of Tange Sayyad, Sabzkouh Pretected area, some parts of Helen, International Choghakhour Wetland and Gandoman, Aliabad and Solghan wetlands.

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Green Livelihood and Sustainable Livelihood of the Nomads

After preparing the framework and calls for cooperation in the implementation of sustainable livelihoods projects in pilot areas in the Zagros project management, implementation of four projects in this area started in 1393 and ended in 1394 first six months and the results are as follows:

Implementing the alternative livelihood development (sustainable ecotourism) cooperated by the " Anjomane Hayate Iran NGO) in Kor-Kamfirooz including analyzing the current ecological, socio- economic, educational situation, having the key stakeholder's technical support, awareness raising of the local community on environment, analyzing the ecotourism potentials, and attracting the tourists, facilitating the local houses and wild watching cottages, and creating shops to sell the handicrafts

Implementing the ecotourism development project- wild watching in West Dena by the Zist Boome Pak NGO including teaching the local communities the required skills, creating a WK/ CBO, facilitating the bird watching and wild watching, facilitating the local classical house and preparing a camera, training the local tour leaders for wild watching, planning to have a CBO, holding an exhibition for the local handicrafts and products, and cultural ones in the targeted villages, 1st visit of ecotourism along with training the principles on ecotourism in conservation zones and local communities simultaneously with the Global Day of Ecotourism and visiting the villages

Implementing the alternative livelihood development ( handicrafts) for the nomads in dena-Vanak cooperated by (Anjomane Hamian E Zamin) including entrance to the local community, identification of of current situation, analysis of the jobs that can be created, handicrafts-production development for the female nomads in Dena-Vanak, identification of the handicrafts and analysis of why these jobs cannot have enough income and trying t find the solutions to have the classical handicrafts rehabilitated and earn income by doing so.

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Bazoft CMA

Bazoft CMA with an area of about 490 hectares is located in the West of Chaharmahal o Bakhtiari Province. In terms of political divisions in this area includes five cities of Koohrang, Ardal, Lorde- gan, Kiar and Borujen. Its population is about 78 million and hosts 5.6 percent of the population living in the central Zagros Moun- tains. In this area, there are 22 nomad boundaries, 234 rural settle- ments and 3 urban settlements (Naghan, Menj and Ardal).

Introduction of C+SD Programme in CZM in joint meetings with the Department of Management and Planning Organization and the Council of Ardal and Kiar

Zagros Project in a participatory process decided to prepare and plan the conservation and sustainable development of Central Zagros Mountains and its management system and has designated the Catchment management areas as eco- logical units, and at the same time it is working on having the programme ratified and implemented in the sixth pro- gram of development.

Therefore, there were meetings held to introduce C+ SD P and Zagros MS and its scale up strategy has been discussed with Zagros Project DNPM and National Consultant in the meetings with the provincial conservation and sustainable development program and enable the Executive Secretariat of the Central Zagros Mountains management in the prov- ince, and also enable the management committees of CMA.

In this regard, the central Zagros mountain conservation and sus- tainable development program and management system and ex- tension programs, with the assistance of the National Consultant of Zagros plan in separate meetings with the Management and Planning Organization, Ardal city planning council, in June at the governor of the province and Ardal and kiar.

It is based on the central Zagros mountain conservation and sus- tainable development, to manage the central Zagros Mountains, the CMAs are divided into 10, five of which are in Chaharmahal o Bakhtiari (Lordegan, Bazoft, Koohrang, Borujen and Beheshta- bad). The CMA in West Bazoft covers an area of about 490 hec- tares, is located on the extension phase of the project done. The five parts of the city Koohrang, Ardal, Lordegan, Kiar and Borujen.

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Recording Sabzkouh and Tangsayad as Biosphere Reserve Worldwide

Recording Tangesayad and Sabzkuh in Charmahal o Bakhtiari province as the eleventh Biosphere Re- serve in Iran was done in the twenty-seventh session of the World's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) 19 May 2015 UNESCO. Sabzkouh and Tange sayad with

Dana biosphere reserve in Kohgiluyeh va Boyerahmad (are Iran's only reserves recorded in the list of MAB after the revolution), the network reservoir in the Zagros mountains, beginning the process of sustain- able management of biological resources to reduce the general destruction of the natural environment and socio-economic anomalies and biosphere re- serves based on the multi-sectoral management, ob- serving the principles of participatory zoning, the mul- tiple functions of these biosphere reserves will be fulfilled.

Other News of Bazoft

• Zagros Project hosted the sixth meeting of the International Projects of DoE and NRo • Zagros Project's participation in the meeting of cooperative protection of the spring's grazing in Sabzkouh • Introducing Leilli doll in the exhibition of women's empowerment in Chaharmahal o Bakhtiari

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Dena CMA

Dena CMA is located in North of Kohgiluyeh va Boyerahmad at 50 degrees 23 minutes and 8 seconds to 51 degrees 31 minutes 41 seconds east longitude and 30 degrees 34 minutes and 25 seconds to 31 degrees 26 minutes 25 seconds W North. From the political boundaries aspect, this CMA is located in Dena, Boyerahmad and Kohgiloye. The area is 205 398 hectares. Dominant natural feature of the mountainous is hilly and plain. The catchment area covers 16.7% of the total area of the central Zagros. Dena city center is Sisakht and that of Boyerahmad is Yasuj.

Representative from Germany's Ministry of the Environment and Michael Succow Foundation Visited Dena Biosphere Reserves

Cooperative Environmental Working Group of Iran and Germany visited the oak for- ests and vegetation of Yasuj. The group who had come to Iran to participate in the conference of "Opportunity and Challenges in the Field of Climate Change Impact, Adaptation and Sustainable Development in Biosphere Reserves –Ecosystem Func- tions and Management of the Zagros Oak Forests under the Conditions of the Cli- mate Change for Iranian-German Bilateral Cooperation" visted Dom- chenar, Kata, and Tang E Sorkh. The aim of this visit was to check reforestation, diseases and injuries affecting forests and strategies for the preservation of forests and rangelands of the province.

Seven members of the German group and MSF shared the results of their field visit in a conference held at Yasuj University by technical sup- port of Zagros project, DoE and the university

Then, the workshop was held to have the main challenges identified in a bilateral cooperation. Meetings of protection and sustainable development in the Office of Planning and Budget and the Governor's Office Kohgiloyeh va Boyerahmad

At the first meeting held at the Department of plan- ning and budgeting, Dr. Poozesh, Director of Planning and Budgeting of the province, and at the other, Dr. Fattah Mohammadi, deputy governor for political and security, welcomed the participants and declared that they will cooperate with Zagros. Then Mr. Arvahi explained C+SD Programme, and then Mr. Aghazamani, National consultant of Zagros project, ex- plained the management system of the central Zagros and clarified some uncertain points. During the meeting political and security deputy governor, county governor of Boyerahmad and Director of Planning and budgeting of the province and DoE officials attended.

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Zagros Project International Advisor Visit to Dena CMA

Visit Oak Regeneration Research Project

A research project is being carried out with technical support of the Department of Natural Resources and Watershed Management of Kohgiluyeh va Boyerahmad, Zagros Project and the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources of Yasouj University on the topic of identifying trees and oak seedlings resistant to dieback disease and envi- ronmental influences on tree dieback running. Peter Hannam visited the progress of this project in Yasouj University. This research project conducted compre- hensive studies in the field of disease-resistant trees and to achieve definitive results of research activities will continue. According to the Research Center achievements what is expected in the future is that with the participation of stakeholders in the implementation of op- erational programs and the preservation and restoration of oak forests in the central Zagros Mountains will become true.

Opening Ceremony of ZMRC The opening was done by the attendance of the Project IA, political and security deputy governor, DoE head of Kohgiluyeh va Boyerahmad, DNPM of Zagros Pro- ject and environmental experts and Rozane NGO, responsible for the center. Za- gros team and IA, provincial and local government officials visited the center. After there was a meeting held with the team and NGOs working in the center. Peter Hunnam at the meeting said Iran has great laws, strong governance struc- ture and a lot of experts who will be in partnership with people to work on build- ing the capacity for the conservation of natural resources and the environmental benefits. He said that governments alone cannot protect the natural resources and the en- vironment and it is costly for them while they can do way better by public participation and reforming the methods of using natural resources.

Kohgiloyeh va Boyerahmad political and security deputy governor said the maintaining and restoring the environment is the duty of people, governments and countries. Fattah Mohammedi added: human seeks for civil society, adores social life, and this requires interaction and coopera- tion. Visit the Biosphere Reserve of Dena and Rural Area The team visited Dana Biosphere Reserve in the Ab Sepah and IA evaluated the area's conservation status as good. DNPM of Zagros project also offered addi- tional details. The team then visited the Rural Tourism Project of Anjomane Zisb Boome Pak in Khoongah Village and evaluated the equipment provided for the tourists in per- son.

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Kor CMA

Kor CMA with an area of 469,075 hectares is located on the sidelines of the northeastern of Fars province. This range in- cludes 29/15% of the total area of the central Zagros. In terms of political divisions in parts of the municipalities of the region Eghlid, Marvdasht, Sepidan, and Abadeh in Fars. Kor CMA cov- ers 5 cities, 7 districts, 14 sub-districts and 159 villages. The total population is about 68,498 people.

Zagros Project International Advisor visit to Kor CMA

Visiting the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative

On 12 March 2015, a field visit of sustainable agricultural project in Bakyan village was done by the IA, deputy and experts Zagros project, agricultural extension provincial experts, officials of Agriculture Service Center, Inc. Project (Vahdat E Kor) and farmers. First, the administrative process and a description of the proposed project achievements were presented. Peter Hunnam emphasized on the role of the MoAJ after the exit of Zagros project. And another point was how to manage the agri- cultural activities.

Visiting the Zagros Mountains Resource Center (ZMRC)

Later, a meeting was held at the municipality of Kamfiruz attended by the County Governor, Doostdarane Tabi'ate Bekre Beheshte Gomshode CBO, Anjomane Hayate Iran (NGO) and the representatives of the municipality. During the meeting, an overview of the ToRs of NGO responsible for activating the center and how close it should be with the county governor's office. Then, the group paid a visit to the center in Kamfirooz.

Visiting the Sustainable Tourism Project

Then, the group paid a visit of the activities carried out by the Anjomane Hayate Iran on livelihood and sustainable tourism includes equipping and preparing resorts, gardens and nomadic tents setting up and reduction of the concept of sustainable tourism among residents of the village in Mangan. In addition, the village access roads to Tange Bosta- nak protected area and its potential ways to attract the tourists and resorts in the area there.

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Local Planning Committee LPC meeting was held the next day. First, Deputy Finance of Civil Governor, Mr. Amiri welcomed the at- tendees and explained the importance of environmental issues. Then, Dr. Valavi, Technical Deputy Gen- eral Directorate of Environment of Fars, explained the connection with the concept and objectives of the project and the need for coordination of the central Zagros biodiversity inter-sectoral to achieve the stated objectives of the project. Then Mr. Arvahi, deputy of Zagros project, outlined the conservation and sustainable development pro- gram of Central Zagros. Kor CMA features was explained by Ms. Valavi, Technical Fars Provincial Expert of Zagros project. IA said: when the Zagros Project's exit strategy is implemented, all government achievements should be up to the authorities in making their decisions benefit from these achievements. He then tried to mention two major changes that have been done by Zagros project; one is the compre- hensive management of resources. Another is that the project aims at decentralization to the lowest lev- els of management. He also noted that the management body is formed as a local planning committee, have involved all relevant sectors and stakeholders in Zagros management.

Other News of Kor

• Holding a conference on the role of education in environmental conservation • Holding a workshop on the occasion of the Wildlife International Day • Holding a workshop on the occasion of Earth Day

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Vanak-Khersan CMA

Vanak-Khersan CMA is located in a very small city in Semirom County and covers small parts of Boroujen, Dehaghan, Lordegan, Boyerahmad and Eghlid and includes 4 parts of Padena, Denakouh, Central and Vardasht and 6 villages namely Low Padena, Central Padena, Upper Padena, Baraftab, Vardasht and Dareshour. This area encom- passes 17.5% of the total area of the central Zagros. 539 128 hectare of natural land- scape of the area is mountainous and hilly. This region includes 118 villages and four urban point of Semirom, Hana, Vanak and more than 310 customary boundaries. The population in the range is 65047 people, or about 4.7 percent of the population is central Zagros Mountains.

Central Zagros Mountain Conservation and Sustainable Development Programs in the Working Group Meeting on Land use, Environment and Development

The meeting was held at the office of the deputy planning and budgeting of Isfahan while attended by the representa- tives from the executive, Zagros Project Deputy, consultant, technical expert and coordinator. The C +SD programme of CZM was explained as a detailed plan of the central Zagros Conservation of biodiversity in the participatory process for aligning and integrating biodiversity conservation in a variety of development programs, and to develop that concept. And more detailed descriptions on how to finance the system design was presented by the consultant. In the end, it was approved by the members of the Committee, to submit their comments and then finalize the preparations for the next meeting, within 20 days. The First Joint Meeting in the Planning and Budgeting Office in Isfahan The meeting was held by the attendance of the head of research bureau of the provincial planning and budgeting office in Isfahan, head of the Research Department of Environmental in Isfahan province, Zagros Project's consultant and technical experts at the conference hall of the planning and budgeting office; First, the consultant began explaining the studies on ecological power evaluation of the central Zagros and then it was suggested to have the results of the stud- ies described in the preparation of environmental studies and sustainable development done in the province to be in- tegrated with that done by the Project. Another subject discussed was having the study uploaded on the DoE's Portal

Other News of Vanak-

• Calling on a painting competition to celebrate the week of natural resources in Semirom • Celebrating "Arbor Day" and giving awards of painting competition in Vanak-Khersan CMA • Performing symbolic cleansing by Anjomane Sabz-E Semirom on the occasion of Natural Resources week • The ninth, tenth and eleventh LPC meetings were held and evaluating 2 BEGS proposals • Holding introductory workshop on reptiles and amphibians in the ZMRC of Semirom • Holding exhibition on "sustainable agriculture" in PNU-Semirom Branch

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CMAs in CZM

The summary of catchment management areas characteristics in CZM

Page 14 Conservation of Biodiversity in Central Zagros Landscape Conservation Zone

Publishing Guidelines on Sustainable Use of Resources in the Central Zagros Mountains

Central Zagros Mountains management and planning process requires the application of various tools based on the current capacity and po- tential of mountain by which it's using ends in providing the manage- ment needs of implementing conservation and sustainable develop- ment program Central Zagros Mountains. This toolkit should help inter- nalizing the process of planning and management of land and mountain biodiversity considerations the conservation of biodiversity, fulfills the needs of farmers and stakeholders of the mountain and defines the se- curity and policy development. Using this toolkit should have the capa- bility to supply long term needs, to stop the current degradation of bio- diversity and restoration of components of biological diversity, particu- larly diversity of the area provides habitat throughout the area. There- fore, Zagros Project put providing project management toolkits on its agenda. Some of these tools are land zoning based on ecological capa- bility, the central Zagros Mountains management information system, monitoring plan of the Zagros Mountains and sustainable use guidelines is Central Zagros Mountains.

Therefore, preparing, printing and publishing 9 sustainable use of re- sources' guidelines were developed for environmental assessment, sus- tainable aquaculture, sustainable use of water resources, sustainable use of forests, sustainable use of rangelands, sustainable agricultural development, sustainable tourism, waste management, and effluent management in the Zagros Mountains. These guidelines are applicable to the whole Zagros Mountains and will be implemented when the C+SD programme is ratified.

Conservation of Biodiversity in Central Zagros

Central Office: Natural Environment and Biodiversity Division, Department of Environment, Pardisan Eco- Park, Hakim Highway, Tehran, Iran

Email: [email protected] Designed by Fatima Shirkavand Designedby Fatima

Telephone: +98 (21) 42781884