Tehran’s environment situation is critical

Iran Press News: The regime-run news agency, ISNA reports, while Tehran takes up less than 2.1% of Iran and is home to 20% of the nations’ population, it accomodates 35% of the industrial and production units. Now Tehran faces numerous environmental problems and complications. The elimination of restrictions on construction on industries in Tehran by a 120 kilometer radius, has raised the concerns of various experts and officials on the subject of environment.

The prohibition of construction within a 120 kilometer radius was a resolution that was mandated in 1967 by a board of ministers; the only exceptions would have been that in extremely rare cases, the board would hear and consider a presentation for the legitimate issuing of a license.

Currently, the greater Tehran department of environmental protection has identified and supervises 46,000 manufacturing and industrial units and factories of which 17500 were established and operate with permits from the ministry of Industries and Mines, others with licenses from the ministry of commerce and the rest are illegal. Therefore 70 to 80% of industries in the greater Tehran province do not have operation permits from the environmental protection agency.

On the other hand since 2005, of the 46000 identified units only 5 to 7% are under supervision. The environmental protection agency is however, all for the repealing of the elimination of restrictions on construction on industries in Tehran by a 120 kilometer radius!

Environmentally Tehran is an area that is in very critical condition and has reached it’s absolute capacity. Most of Tehran’s industries have sewage problems already. A third of Iran’s industries are stationed in Tehran and 15% of air pollution in Tehran is directly industry-related.