Iran suspends controversial Miankaleh petrochemical project

The department’s deputy for human environment Masood Alikhani, in a letter to the managing director of Amir Abad Petrochemical Plant in the northern Iranian Province of Mazandaran, said the permit to resume the project will hinge on complementary studies and authorization of the Department of Environment.

Alikhani also reiterated the necessity of employing environmental consultants and getting assistance from a local university in carrying out the studies.

He said these should cover the assessment of the ecological capacity of the area to construct petrochemical and water desalination units as well as other relevant projects.

The study, the official said, should also assess the effect of the desalination plant on the areas, managed by the Department of Environment and the marine ecosystem of the Caspian Sea, as well as the industrial swage and other pollutants from the petrochemical project, among other things.

“Issuance of the environmental clearance will hinge on the outcomes of the mentioned study and examination of them by the evaluation committee of the Department of Environment. Therefore, it is necessary that any executive operation before complementary studies and issuance of the environmental permit is avoided,” he said.

Earlier, the government spokesman had announced that officials “will not back down on the implementation of the project”, but will make sure all environmental authorizations are secured before going ahead.

Miankaleh is home to many species of birds and environmental activists believe it’s highly vital to the ecosystem of the region