The Persian leopard (Panthera pardus ciscaucasica syn. Panthera pardus saxicolor), also called Caucasian leopard, is the largest leopard subspecies, and is native to northern Iran, as well as eastern Turkey, the Caucasus mountains, southern Turkmenistan, and parts of western Afghanistan. It is endangered throughout its range with an estimated 500 to 700 leopards believed to be found in Iran.

In the past 10 months it has been reported that eleven leopards have been killed and another one was paralyzed in Iran. Prior to this recent trend, two of four members of Iranian big cat family became extinct including Caspian tiger (Panthera tigris virgata) and Asiatic lion ((Panthera leo persica). Persian Leopard is on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) endangered list.

In Iran, primary threats include: a) habitat disturbances caused by constructing new roads and factories, or presence of military and training of troops in border habitat areas; b) illegal hunting and/or poaching; c) habitat loss due to deforestation, fire, agricultural expansion, overgrazing, and infrastructure development; and  d) depletion of their prey.  Other factors are road accidents, or (the leopards) being killed by peasants and guardian dogs.

The leopards’ chances for survival outside protected areas are very slim. Intensive dry conditions in wide areas of leopard habitats in recent years are affecting leopard main prey species such as wild goat and wild sheep.Recent reports and evaluations of conditions by the environmentalists on the Persian leopard mortality rate in Iran have revealed that 70% of leopard mortalities from 2007-2011 were as a result of illegal hunting or poisoning and 18% were because of road accidents. Even though, the anti-poaching laws and fines in Iran include a fine of $1600 for killing a leopard, it cannot compete with the global market prices (and demand) for leopard skin which is over $10,000 (each). Therefore, more restrictive regulations and monitoring are needed in Iran, in order to stop this growing threat.

In addition, Asiatic cheetah is another member of big cat family in Iran which is near extinction and is currently on the endangered list.

In recent years, air pollution has drastically increased in different Iranian cities. Environmental experts and activists believe that non-standard petrol is one of the most important reasons for increased air pollution and causing major health problems in Iran.

Production and use of non-standard (domestically refined) petrol has been increased in the past 3 years, and according to the published figures, Iran produces around 60 million litres of petrol on a daily basis which roughly corresponds to its national consumption. However, even though the Iranian officials have promised to increase the production of higher grade petrol with Euro 4 and 5 standards (used in European countries) the low-grade domestically-produced petrol is still what is mainly produced (and used). Recently Iran’s environmental organization asked government to stop producing this non-standard petrol in the country and instead start importing petrol from other countries until it meets the required standards.  Some Iranian parliament`s representatives have explicitly suggested that production of this low quality and non-standard petrol is linked to increased risk of cancer in Iran.

In recent years, there have been higher cases of cancer, heart attacks, asthma, neurological disorders, miscarriages and birth defects reported in Iran and exactly a year ago, the government reported that over 4000 death in Tehran, the capital of the country, could perhaps be attributed to poor air quality.

Other major factors causing air pollution include limited access to small environment-friendly cars (due to lower imports), and using non-standard domestic cars. Also, expansion of manufacturing companies which do not pay attention to the environmental issues as well as low restrictions and poor regulatory standards are other causes impacting air quality and increasing air pollution.

A heart breaking story of hunting and killing of migrating birds in north of Iran.

This report from LenzIran on Iranian TV about ruthless killing and selling birds in the province of Mazanderan in the coast of Caspian Sea, can be viewed  here 

This month (Jan 2014) Delhi, India aims to earn the prestigious designation of a World Heritage City with procedural step taken by the Ministry of Culture, when he sends a dossier to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) by the end of the month. In the submission, the Ministry will have to highlight the heritage behind each site and explain that all the proposed sites are being maintained as per the international standards. Basically, the Ministry has to explain why each site is of unique outstanding value.

However, another development in Delhi is also of major importance which could prove to be a new model for conservation of other world heritage sites. Humayun’s Tomb, one of the sites which will most probably be included in the dossier, is receiving major restoration work as a result of a partnership between two private foundations and the Indian government. This type of partnership has proven effective in India and could very well be an example of how public and private partnerships could work when world heritage sites are in great need of restoration.  In many cases, government neglect or lack of (or limited) public funds create the problem.

In case of India, recent reports by the Comptroller and Auditor General, the official auditor of India’s public sector, had warned that World Heritage sites in India are seriously neglected by the Archaeological Survey of India, a government agency responsible for the preservation of the monuments. In fact, of the 3,678 historical structures in India, the auditor surveyed a sample of 1,655 monuments over the span of a year as reported by Indian media.

The work on Humayun’s Tomb started in 1997, when the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, a private development agency, took on the project, and ten years later, it partnered with Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, a philanthropic organization, and the Archaeological Survey of India to commence the restoration work at the structure. The Aga Khan Trust helped finance the $650,000 tomb’s garden restoration, but it has declined to reveal the total cost of the project.

It has been reported by the experts that the condition of Humayun’s Tomb in New Delhi had greatly deteriorated and water seeped through the roof and the tiles on the canopies were covered in dirt. The monument, which houses the tombs of the Mughal emperor Humayun, his wife and other unknown Mughal family members, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. Public and Private partnerships have worked in many other sectors and perhaps this model could be a way to fund many much needed restorations across the world.

The Raymond Lemaire International Centre for Conservation (KU Leuven) will hold the “Thematic Week” which will be held at the Arenberg Castle, Heverlee, Belgium,  from 22 to 24 January 2014. The topic of the conference is on community involvement in valuing and managing national heritage monuments and sites. “The value of heritage for society is increasingly underscored” as the conference organizers state.

At the same time, there has been a growing interest for the involvement of local communities in the management plans of heritage sites. The 2014 Thematic Week will offer an overview of the origin of this discourse as well as problems and shortcomings in relation to community involvement will be addressed and evaluated.

Attendance in the conference is free, but due to limited space, interested individuals are asked to email  rlicc@asro.kuleuven.be