GEF/UNDP CONCEPT PAPER for a Full Project

1. Project title:Conservation of Biodiversity in the Central Zagros Mountain Forests and Steppe

2. GEF Implementing Agency: United Nations Development Programme

3. Country or countries in which the project is being implemented: Islamic Republic of Iran

4. GEF Focal Area(s):Biodiversity.

5. Operational Program/Short-term measure:OP 4, Mountain Ecosystems.

6. Country Drivenness (Project linkage to national priorities, action plans and programs):

1. Article 50 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran states that all legal and real persons have a duty to protect the environment. It prohibits all activity - economic or otherwise - that may result in irreparable damage to the environment. This is based on the guidance of Islam, the formal religion of country. For example, the Koran introduces nature as a blessing of god, to be exploited wisely and to be preserved and protected. The right of all forms of animals to live is emphasised in many other Islamic religious writings.

2. In recent years, the leaders and government of the Islamic Republic of Iran have increasingly recognised the challenges facing the natural resources of the country. This has been formalised in many policy documents. For example, the Supreme Leader recently issued policy statements requiring the conservation of natural - including genetic - resources, and requiring reductions of habitat destruction and species loss (taken from the Official Newspaper of Iran, 18th April, 2001). Of the 26 Chapters of The Third Economic, Cultural and Social Development Plan (approved by the President and the Parliament in April 2000), one is devoted to environmental protection and one is devoted to the sustainable management of agricultural and water resources.

3. In 1974, the Government of Iran established the Environmental High Council (EHC) to coordinate the preparation and approval of policy and programmes related to the environment. The EHC is chaired by the President. Its members are the heads of all key ministries and national agencies. Within the Government, the Department of Environment (DoE) is responsible for implementing environmental and biodiversity legislation and policy objectives. This includes management of almost all the protected area in the country. The DoE is headed by a Vice-President and reports directly to the President. DoE has provincial affiliates in each of the 29 provinces.

4. Other agencies with mandates related to mountain biodiversity conservation are: the Management and Planning Organisation (MPO – responsible for planning and budget allocation); the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (more commonly known as the Ministry of Agriculture and Jihad – MOAJ, and responsible for forests, rangelands, rural development and nomadic affairs); the Ministry of Power (MOP responsible for water resources and dams), and the Ministry of the Interior.

5. Building on overall guidance from the country’s leadership, the environmental sector has developed several documents guiding environmental protection in the country. Prominent amongst these is the National Strategy for Environment and Sustainable Development (1995). The chapter on biodiversity identifies the Zagros mountains as a key area for biodiversity conservation. This is further confirmed in the National Action Plan for Environmental Protection (1999).

6. More recently, the First National Report for the Convention on Biological Diversity (December 2000) develops a national strategy for conserving biodiversity. This strategy has four components:

  • promoting participation of public, NGOs and private sector;
  • strengthening information, reporting and monitoring systems;
  • reorganisation of institutional structures for sustainable use; and,
  • systematic management of biodiversity resources (notably through in-situ management in protected areas).

The National Report was prepared and approved by a broad cross-sectoral body. All concerned government ministries have a defined role to play in the implementation of the strategy. The present proposed project is fully in line with this strategy, most notably helping to implement the first and fourth of the above components.

7. The National Report was prepared with the assistance of the GEF/UNDP project National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP). Within the framework of the project, a national workshop was held to discuss priority areas for international support. The workshop selected the biodiversity in the Zagros mountain range as a priority for further GEF support.

7. Context

Biodiversity Context

8. The Islamic Republic of Iran comprises a land area of 1.64 million km2, lying between 25º and 40º N. It is situated at the confluence of three climatic zones – Mediterranean, arid west Asian, and humid/semi-humid Caspian zone. It is highly mountainous, with an average altitude of 1200m asl, and many peaks over 4000 m. The complex and varied climates, topography and geological formations have led to a varied and unique biological diversity.

9. The Iranian habitat supports over 8,000 recorded species of plants (of which almost 2,500 are endemic), over 500 species of birds, 160 mammals, and 164 reptiles (26 endemic species). A large number of the plants and animal species indigenous to Iran are the wild relatives of commercial species, confirming Iran’s status as a centre of genetic biodiversity. Also, a large number of Iran’s plant and tree species have traditional medicinal, aromatic and pigment uses. Iran has a varied but generally harsh climate - arid with large temperature fluctuations. Many species and varieties are adapted to surviving in these harsh conditions.

10. The Zagros region lies in western Iran, stretching from close to the north-western border (with Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan), along the border with Iraq, and down to the Persian Gulf. It is approximately 1500km long at its longest, and 400 km wide at its widest. The region covers approximately 40,000,000 ha and over 70% is mountainous. The ecosystem falls into the Palaearctic realm with unique broadleaf deciduous and mixed forests.

11. The focus for the present proposed project is the central mountainous parts of the Zagros region. This area contains the biggest mountains and the broadest and most significant biodiversity. In the central Zagros, the high mountains are interspersed with steppe, rangeland, low-lying hills, valleys, semi-desert areas and wetlands. Five million hectares of forest covering 1/8 of the area of Zagros mountains and accounting for approximately 40% of all Iran’s forests, are found here. The climate is strongly influenced by the Mediterranean and precipitation is above average. Accordingly, a significant percentage of Iran’s rain falls onto these mountains, and the mountains constitute an important source of water, via rivers and transfers, to most of the populated parts of Iran. See Annex 1 for maps of Iran and the proposed project area.

12. The mountains in the central Zagros region are up to 4,500 m high. Rapid changes in elevation lead to a diversity in ecosystems and species over short distances. Above 3500m, the precipitation is light and mainly snow. At these heights the vegetation is mainly alpine, with junipers and then pastureland dominating. Between approximately 1200 - 3500m, the mountains are dominated by oak forests, with the trees becoming increasingly thicker at lower altitudes. The land between the oak trees is covered by a wide variety of plants, shrubs and bushes. Below 1200m, the climate is warm and sub-tropical. The more northern and eastern lower lying lands are dryer and almost desert-like, whereas the southern and western low-lands are semi-humid. Almond and pistachio are two of the dominant species at lower altitudes.

13. The mountains contain an estimated 2000 plant species, ranging from high mountain species (Juniperus excelsa, Colpodium violaceum, Dracocephalum surmandium, Nepeta chinophilla, Salvia kallarica, Cousinia archibaldii, Scarzenera nivalis), rare steppe species (Ajuga saxicola, Hypericum dogonbedanicum), arid-land/desert species (Saliva rechingeri, Scorzonera ispahanica) and humid sub-tropical species (Myrtus communis, Aegilops speltoides). Endemism is high with at least 200 endemic species. The region contains many wild relatives of important commercial species, for example grape (Vitis vinifera - the base for the world famous Shiraz wine) and tulip (Tulipa spp). Annex 2 provides some other examples of wild relatives. One area (Mount Dena) alone contains over 1000 plant species, of which at least over 250 are known to be utilised traditionally. These are used for food, medicine, aromas and pigments. The unique oak forests include three species of oak one of which has two varieties (Quercus brantii persica, Quercus brantii belangeri, Quercus infectoria, Quercus libani), with a high genetic diversity - 180 different kinds of acorn having been recorded in the area.

14. The mountains also provide a good habitat for important large mammals, such as Ibex (Capra aegagrus), sheep (Ovis ammon), bear (Ursus arctos IUCN red-listed as vulnerable), leopard (Panthera pardus), Persian Squirrel (Sciurus anomalus – endemic to Iran and Lebanon, and IUCN red-listed as endangered) and the Persian Fallow Deer (Cervus dama mesopotamica, IUCN red-listed)[1]. The lower valleys were also the last habitat (outside India) of the Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo persicus) – and there are plans to reintroduce the species[2]. Other mammals found in central Zagros include wolf (Canis lupus), boar (Sus scrofa), fox (Vulpes vulpes), jackel (Canis aureus) and hyena (Hyaena hyaena).

15. The diversity in ecosystem also provides for a wide diversity of birds with 240 species having been recorded in the Zagros central mountains, including the following listed species: Osprey, Golden eagle, Peregrine falcon, Barbary falcon, Lanner falcon, Seker Falcon, Lesser kestrel, Bearded vulture, Franklin, Marbled Teal, White-headed duck, Ferruginous duck, See-see partridge, Lesser white fronted goose; White-throated robin, White stork, Black stork, Persian Snow Cock, Tetraogulus Caspius ssp endemic to Zagros. The region is also very rich in insects. For example, there are over 150 species of recorded butterfly, of which 17 are endemic. Annex 3 provides a list of important non-flora species found in the mountains of the central Zagros region.

Socio-Economic Context

16. The Zagros mountains have historically been isolated from most economic activities and principally habited by nomadic tribes. This isolation has helped to conserve large areas of the ecosystems. In recent years, national efforts to develop rural areas have led to an improved infrastructure in the Zagros mountains, to improvements in the socio-economic situation, and to population increases. The great majority of the population in the region is now settled, with nomads making up approximately 10% of the population. However, in some areas, social and economic poverty remains. The population in the region still includes approximately 800,000 nomads, almost three-quarters of the total Iranian nomad population.

17. Until the 1960s, the land, forests and water in the region were owned and managed according to traditional (nomadic) tribal systems. In the 1960’s, the state took ownership and management responsibilities for the forests and rangelands – although agricultural land could still be developed privately. At about the same time, other efforts were taken to sedentarise the nomads and break up the tribal structures. Accordingly the traditional land/water ownership and management systems no longer function and many have since been forgotten. However, no alternative management systems were introduced, and so use of the resources continued on an ad-hoc, un-managed basis, by nomads, farmers and migrants from other areas and by refugees from neighbouring countries. A classic ‘tragedy of the commons’ situation took effect, with all constituents mining the land and water for short-term benefits.

18. Recently, the government has recognised the weak management system and has started to experiment with new ownership systems. For example, a thirty-year land tenure is being tentatively introduced for rangelands in some areas. This means that people will be taking care of the land for a longer period and are not allowed to change the type of land use activities.

Protected Area System

19. The Iranian DoE has a good history of protecting forests and other eco-systems. Land was first set aside for protection in the 1960s with the principal aim of protecting game for hunters. Since 1992 (through an amendment of the 1975 Environmental Protection Act), protected land is managed under four categories: National Parks (the most strictly protected); Wildlife Refuges; Protected Areas and Hunting Prohibited Zones. Currently, approximately 5% of Iranian land is protected through this system. The system is supervised by DoE and managed by the provincial DoEs. In addition, there are some small protected areas under the management of the Forestry Division of MOAJ.

20. Recently, a joint proposal from DoE/MOAJ to increase the area of protected forests to 10% of the national forests has been approved by the President and Parliament. Each province should now designate 10% of its forests to be protected and so managed by the provincial DoE. The provinces and national government are currently determining implementation plans, including budgets for this proposal. In many cases, the proposed new protected areas lie close to or adjacent to existing PAs.

21. The Zagros region has 3 National Parks (total area approximately 210,000 has), 3 Wildlife Refuges (approx. 207,000 has), 12 Protected Areas (1,166,000 has) and 26 Hunting Prohibited Zones (960,000 has). This protected area network (PAN) therefore accounts for over 6% of the Zagros range (these figures cover the entire Zagros region, not only the central mountains, but most of the protected areas lie in the central mountain ranges where the biodiversity is greatest). In general, the status of the biodiversity inside the PAN is good. However the outlying parts of many of the protected areas are subject to an increasing pressure from villages near and in the area, and are degrading accordingly. Land degradation and soil erosion processes are increasing and threaten the sustainability of biodiversity within the PAN. Therefore an integrated approach for landscape management is needed to address threats to biodiversity within and surrounding the protected areas.

23. At present, many of the protected areas have several small villages within or along the edge of their border. Typically, there may be 20,000 people living around a PA of 100,000 has. Usually, only a very small number (several hundred) of people live inside the area.

8. Project Rationale and Objectives:

24. The Zagros ecosystem, and its biodiversity, is being severely degraded, as indicated by the following figures. Soil erosion from the mountains has increased from 2-3 tons per hectare to approximately 10 tons per hectare over the past several decades. Also, biomass productivity in the Zagros deciduous broadleaf forests has declined from 125 to 8 tons/hectare over the past five decades[3]. These impacts are the result of man’s activities, as described below.

Threats

25. The biodiversity in the Zagros central mountains face a series of threats. Collectively these threats are damaging the ecosystems at the edges of each protected area, and destroying the ecosystem between protected areas. The two most serious threats are unsustainable livestock grazing and conversion of forests to agricultural land (wheat). These threats are prevalent across large stretches of the mountain range, including in and around protected areas. The next most important threat, in some areas, is the hunting of wild animals. Other threats are wood collection (for fuel), mining and possibly over-collection of trees and plants for food, medicine and other uses.

Converting forest to agricultural land

26. The land is very mountainous and flat land is rare. Every available spot of flat or low-slope land is converted to agriculture, rain-fed wheat or in some cases irrigated rice and other crops. To convert the land, the shrubs and grass between the trees are cleared, but usually most of the trees are left standing. Given that the soil is very fragile and thin, the fields are only productive for 2-3 years. After this period, the field is left for fallow or completely abandoned, and the farmer moves on to a new field. However, in many cases it does not regenerate. These unsustainable practices are very common outside of the PAN, and are becoming increasingly common inside protected areas. It is estimated that during the past 40-50 years about 50% of forested areas in the Zagros mountains have been converted. Only about 10% of this converted land is under agricultural use at present.

Unsustainable grazing

27. The population of livestock in the region is very high, with perhaps 6 animal grazers (mainly goat, but some sheep) for each person. The traditional form of grazing (non-penned) is followed. The grazing animals go to the shrub and grassland between the trees in the forest and to the abandoned wheat fields. In many cases the grazing is so intensive that all land is completely cleared, and regeneration inhibited. Low precipitation, steep slopes and thin soils then combine to ensure rapid degradation of the land.