Wildlife Sanctuary of Miankaleh Faces Environmental Concerns Amid Recent Fires

According to KhabarOnline, the Miankaleh Wildlife Sanctuary has once again become the center of one of the most serious environmental concerns in Mazandaran in recent weeks. This valuable ecosystem has raised alarm bells regarding the fragility of one of the country’s most important habitats due to the repeated occurrences of fires in certain areas. A report indicated that between July 16 and August 3, 12 fires broke out in Miankaleh, affecting 536 hectares of the sanctuary; the majority of these fires occurred in the western region of Miankaleh. Although the environmental authorities have reported no direct wildlife casualties from these fires, the recurrence of fires in such a sensitive ecosystem cannot simply be considered resolved with the extinguishing of the flames.

What heightens the concerns is the emphasis by the Director General of the Mazandaran Environmental Protection Agency on the intentional nature of the fires’ causes. This issue has been left to the legal and judicial authorities for the identification and accountability of the responsible parties. Furthermore, recent fire experiences have shown that alongside addressing potential causes, the speed of fire detection and extinguishing plays a crucial role; in Miankaleh, every minute of delay can lead to the spread of flames through vegetation and an increase in damage. The environmental authorities have utilized the capacity of forces from neighboring counties, as well as machinery from entities such as the power plant, Amirabad port, and the oil company during these recent fires. However, the main question remains: how can we prevent the recurrence of fires before they threaten Miankaleh?

Mohammad Reza Kani, the Director General of the Mazandaran Environmental Protection Agency, elaborated on the details of these fires, the methods of extinguishing them, the facilities and equipment available, the causes of the fires, and the status of the Caspian seal. In a short period, we witnessed several instances of fires in the Miankaleh Wildlife Sanctuary; this recurrence is statistically significant. Exactly how many fires occurred during this time frame and how much of Miankaleh’s area was affected by the flames? From July 16 to August 3 of this year, a total of 12 fires occurred within the boundaries of the Miankaleh Wildlife Sanctuary, affecting approximately 536 hectares of the area.

However, simply stating a number cannot provide an accurate picture of the extent of the damage caused by the fires; the intensity of burning may vary across different sections of the area, and not all regions may have suffered equally. Therefore, to achieve a more accurate assessment of the fire’s extent, we have utilized remote sensing data and satellite imagery in addition to field surveys. This data helps to more precisely identify the actual areas that have burned and allows us to differentiate between the areas that were merely affected by the fire and those that experienced greater intensity of burning.

Of the 12 recorded fires, the majority occurred in the western part of the Miankaleh Wildlife Sanctuary. One fire was reported in the Ashuradeh area, two along the coastline, and the remaining incidents were recorded in the western section of the sanctuary. This geographical distribution is significant for us; when multiple fires occur within a short timeframe in a specific area, the situation must be examined more closely from the perspective of occurrence patterns, environmental conditions, access, and human factors.

Another important point is that the vegetation in the areas affected by the fires primarily consists of shrubs, raspberries, and in some places, grasslands. Fortunately, in the assessments conducted, no direct wildlife casualties have been reported from these fires; however, this does not mean that the effects of the fires are insignificant. Miankaleh is a sensitive and valuable ecosystem, and its vegetation plays a crucial role in maintaining the habitat conditions of the area, providing shelter and food resources for wildlife, and preserving ecological balance. Therefore, any portion of this area that suffers from fire must be examined both in terms of the extent of burning and the potential impacts on the region’s natural processes.

On the other hand, the statistic of 12 fires in less than three weeks serves as a serious warning for us, and thus the issue is not limited to merely extinguishing the fires; investigating the origins and causes of these incidents has also been prioritized. In fact, our goal is not just to extinguish the fire; we must be able to identify the patterns of fire occurrences, pinpoint high-risk areas, and prevent the recurrence of such incidents. This is fundamentally important for the long-term management of the Miankaleh Wildlife Sanctuary.

Is there a specific pattern observed in the locations of the fires? Yes, the investigations conducted indicate that most of this year’s fires occurred in the western part of the Miankaleh Wildlife Sanctuary. Of the recorded cases, one fire occurred in the Ashuradeh area, two along the coastline, and the remaining fires took place in the western section of the sanctuary. This geographical concentration is a significant issue for us and cannot be overlooked. When a considerable number of fires occur within a specific area in a short timeframe, this must be taken into account when investigating the origins and causes of the fires. Therefore, in addition to extinguishing operations, the spatial patterns of the fires, regional conditions, and human factors contributing to their occurrence are also under investigation to more accurately identify high-risk areas and target preventive measures.

What was the condition of the vegetation affected by these fires? Was there concern about damage to wildlife species as well? The vegetation in the areas affected by the fires primarily consisted of shrubs, raspberries, and in some places, grasslands. Fortunately, in the assessments conducted, no direct wildlife casualties were reported during this year’s fires; however, this does not imply that the fires are of little significance. Miankaleh is a highly sensitive and valuable ecosystem, and its vegetation plays a vital role in maintaining habitats and ecological balance in the region. Therefore, even in the absence of direct wildlife casualties, damage to the vegetation can have long-term effects on food resources, shelter, and living conditions for wildlife species. For this reason, the impacts of the fires are not only assessed based on the area burned but also on their ecological consequences.

Why do fires recur in Miankaleh? Has the origin of these incidents been identified? Can we speak of the possibility of them being intentional given the recurrence of the fires? Based on existing investigations and evidence, we believe that the primary cause of the fires in Miankaleh is intentional, and this is one of the serious issues we are pursuing. When multiple fires occur in specific locations within a short timeframe, it is natural that we cannot solely consider natural factors or weather conditions as the causes of these incidents, and the matter requires thorough investigation.

Currently, the issue is being pursued rigorously through the relevant channels, and specific efforts are underway to identify the responsible parties and clarify the dimensions of these incidents. However, regarding the details of these investigations, we cannot provide further information until the inquiries reach a conclusive result, as this may affect the process of identifying the responsible parties and addressing the case.

What is important to us is that Miankaleh is not an ordinary area; it is a wildlife sanctuary with unparalleled ecological values, and the recurrence of fires there can cause serious damage to the vegetation and habitat. Therefore, addressing the potential causes of the fires is not merely a legal matter but also part of the responsibility to protect this ecosystem. We, along with the responsible agencies, will pursue this matter until a resolution is reached. Our goal is to accurately determine the causes and origins of the fires, and if intentionality is established, to take legal action against the responsible parties to prevent the recurrence of such incidents in Miankaleh.

When you say that the primary cause of the fires is intentional, do you have specific evidence and documentation to support this claim? Given the sensitivity of the issue, what indicators have led you to this conclusion? Investigating the origin of a fire is a specialized matter, and one cannot simply comment based on a single case or sign. A comprehensive examination of field investigations, the manner and location of the fires, and the prevailing conditions surrounding these incidents has been taken into account, and based on the investigations conducted, we believe that the primary cause of the fires in Miankaleh is intentional. However, this matter is still under rigorous investigation.

Naturally, there is a difference between reaching a conclusion of intentionality based on evidence and expert investigations and identifying a specific individual or group as the cause of the incident. Identifying the responsible parties, gathering evidence, and proving their accountability falls within the jurisdiction of legal and judicial authorities, and this matter is being pursued through legal channels. We will also provide the relevant authorities with the information and findings available and continue our inquiries until the dimensions of the issue are clarified. For the environment, it is crucial that if the intentionality of the fires is proven during the investigation process, the perpetrators are identified and legally dealt with, as the recurrence of such incidents in a wildlife sanctuary can lead to irreparable damages.

Considering the recurrence of the fires, is the main problem in Miankaleh a lack of equipment and human resources? In this year’s fires, fortunately, we did not face a shortage of facilities, equipment, or human resources, and we were able to mobilize the necessary capacities for fire extinguishing according to the circumstances of each incident. During the occurrence of the fires, in addition to environmental forces, personnel from neighboring counties were dispatched to the area to carry out extinguishing operations as quickly as possible.

In terms of equipment, there was good cooperation among various agencies. In addition to the facilities and machinery of the environmental protection agency, machinery from the power plant, Amirabad port, and the oil company was made available for operations, and in one of the fires, even four bulldozers from the power plant were provided to the environmental protection agency for extinguishing the fire. Therefore, in this year’s fires, the main issue was not a lack of equipment or human resources, and inter-agency cooperation played a significant role in the rapid containment of the fires.

Given that you mentioned there was no shortage of equipment and human resources in this year’s fires, what is the most critical factor for controlling fires in Miankaleh? In fire management, we have two very important parameters: first, the rapid detection and notification of fire occurrences, and second, extinguishing the fire as quickly as possible. The longer the time between the start of a fire and its detection, reporting, and the arrival of forces, the more opportunity the fire has to spread and affect a larger area.

Therefore, even if we have sufficient human resources and equipment, the speed of response plays a decisive role. In Miankaleh, due to the vastness of the area, the conditions of the vegetation cover, and the sensitivity of the ecosystem, quickly identifying the point of fire origin and promptly dispatching personnel and equipment can make a significant difference in the extent of damage caused. For this reason, rapid detection and rapid extinguishing are considered two fundamental principles in managing and controlling fires in Miankaleh.

Moreover, it should be noted that rapid response does not only mean the presence of personnel in the area; it also involves quick access to the fire point, accurate communication, coordination among responsible agencies, and the constant readiness of personnel and equipment.