The head of Iran’s Department of the Environment says Iran has fallen 63 spots in the Environmental Performance Index in recent years.

IRNA quoted Massoumeh Ebtekar as saying that many of the current problems are due to the bad policies of the former administration, adding: “Now President Rohani is putting special emphasis on environmental protection and promotion in his government.”

The head of the Department of the Environment said: “We must consider at what price Fars Province has become a top producer of wheat. Is it economically justifiable to draw water from a depth of 300 metres and destroy underground water resources to become a top wheat producer?”

She added that while wheat may have a certain strategic value, water protection will take higher priority.

Ebtekar said Fars Province is facing severe environmental problems including the loss of underground water resources, which must be remedied through an overhaul of agricultural practices.

Radio Zamaneh