Iran Strengthens Environmental Protection with New Measures Against Online Wildlife Trafficking
In a significant move to safeguard its natural heritage, Iran has approved a series of decisive measures to combat the illegal trade of wildlife, particularly targeting online platforms. The new directives emerged from the third meeting of the Special Working Group for the Prevention and Combating of Wildlife Trafficking, signaling a robust governmental effort to address this critical issue.
Coordinated Government Action
Chaired by Hamid Zohrabi, Deputy of Natural Environment and Biodiversity of the Department of Environment, the meeting brought together representatives from key government bodies. This collaborative approach underscores a unified national strategy to protect endangered species and preserve biodiversity.
Key Decisions and Directives
The working group announced several key resolutions designed to strengthen the legal and enforcement framework against wildlife trafficking:
Cracking Down on Online Trade: A major focus is on curbing illegal activity on the internet and social media. To this end, the country’s Prosecutor General’s Office, the Department of Environment, the Cyber Police (FATA), and the National Center for Cyberspace will collaborate to develop and implement a comprehensive mechanism for monitoring and confronting online wildlife trafficking.
Tackling Timber Smuggling: A specialized session will be convened with representatives from the Forest, Rangelands, and Watershed Management Organization, the Islamic Republic of Iran Police, and other relevant agencies to enhance coordination for the prevention and detection of illegal wood trafficking.
Regulating the Pet Trade: Further measures include preparing an official list of domesticated wildlife species, drafting regulations for pet shop activities, and developing a program aimed at achieving a 15% reduction in wildlife trafficking.
Commitment to Implementation
The approved measures are to be pursued by the relevant agencies within a specific timeframe, with results to be presented at subsequent working group meetings. This structured follow-up procedure highlights the government’s commitment to tangible outcomes.
A Call for Public Vigilance
The Department of Environment has called upon all citizens to assist in these efforts. The public is urged to report any observed illegal activities related to the trafficking of animal and plant species through the nationwide 1540 reporting system, fostering a community-wide partnership in environmental protection.
