According to KhabarOnline, Shina Ansari stated that with the approval of the council members and the confirmation of the President, any ownership, construction, and occupation of newly formed coastal lands resulting from the receding of the Caspian Sea has been declared prohibited. She added that based on Clause (11) of the resolutions from the Supreme Environmental Council and referring to the provisions of Clause (1) of Article (2) and Article (3) of the Coastal Land Law, these lands are non-transferable and belong to the government, and any occupation and construction by individuals and legal entities will be prevented. Furthermore, governors of the northern coastal provinces are obligated to ensure the proper implementation of this resolution.
Ansari pointed out the ongoing decline in the water level of the Caspian Sea, stating that the continuous decrease in the water level of this body of water in recent years has led to the retreat of the coastline and the formation of new lands in certain areas of the northern coasts of the country. This trend, according to studies, is likely to continue in the coming years and could have significant impacts on coastal ecosystems, wetlands, river estuaries, and sensitive marine habitats.
The head of the Environmental Protection Organization emphasized that converting these lands into areas available for occupation and development, in addition to altering the natural use of the coasts, poses a serious threat to valuable coastal habitats and reduces the ecological capacity of these regions. Therefore, preventing any form of encroachment on these lands is a priority for the sustainable management of the Caspian Sea coasts.
She noted that the prohibition of any occupation and construction on the newly formed coastal lands of the Caspian Sea is part of the resolutions from the fortieth session of the Supreme Environmental Council. This resolution clarifies the management of newly formed coastal lands and emphasizes the preservation of government ownership of these areas and the protection of the country’s natural resources. The precise implementation of this resolution will be an important step in protecting the Caspian Sea coasts and ensuring sustainable use of this valuable natural area.
