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Establishment

MEPS was founded in June 1993 by a number of mountaineers and enthusiasts in Tehran. Since its inception, MEPS has striven for protection and preservation of mountain ecosystems through public awareness, lobbying and fostering fundamentals of sustainable mountain development.

From the beginning, realizing the inevitable role of public participation, MEPS focused on arousing sensitivity among the public to be able to inject environmental awareness into the society. This was pursued through implementation of a series of practical and educational activities.

On account of these endeavors, MEPS is known as the first environmental NGO in Iran that has initiated symbolical programs such as clean-ups and tree-plantings through public participation.

MEPS is officially registered as a non- govermental organization and has collaborated in formation of many environmental NGOS and groups throughout the country.

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Objectives

1) Protection and conservation of mountain ecosystems through awareness raising among mountaineers and the public.

2) Recognition and promotion of the importance of mountains as the major resources of fresh  water and biodiversity.

3) Addressing the fragility of mountains and the need for sustainable development of these areas.

4) Highlighting the necessity of ratifying mountain law and sustainable management of mountain resources through legislative measures.

5) Striving for creation of mountain protected areas in the country.

6) Promotion of policies for elimination of poverty facing mountain communities and adoption of mechanisms for their participatory involvement in decisionmakings.

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Main Achievements

The vital role of mountains particulary in Iran, situated on the dry belt of Asia and totally dependent on mountain resources is undeniable. Unfortunately, this dependency has been ignored in most times.

What MEPS can boast about as its most significant achievement during the past nine years, is bringing up "Mountain Agenda" and the need for sustainable mountain development among the public and decisionmakers. Through, there is still a lot remained to be done , but the condition has become ready for more supportive measures, adoption of policies and implementation of sustainable mountain management in the country.

The followings are what MEPS has performed up to the present time:

Initiating mountain clean-up programs since 1993 annually in mid september which stirred motivation for clean-up activities in the whole country in the following years.

Conducting  tree-plantings in mountain slopes to further public kowledge on subjects such as: degradation, erosion, mountain vegetative cover, water resoures and so on.

Organizing two national seminars on mountain ecosystems.

Setting up courses and classes for members and interested individuals on mountain-related issues.

Publication of the bok "Why mountains are important" and special leaflets forchildren and the youth and other promotional materials such as posters, stickers and etc.

Producing  a 25- minute film movie on mountain ecosystems.

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Current Programs

MEPS is involved with three major projects for the moment as outlined below:

1)Performing an environmental projects in Northwest Mountains of Iran within Global Environment facility(GEF) Small Grant Program.The project aims to preserve and rehabilitate vegetative cover in Bozghoosh mountains with the partnership of local communities.

2)MEPS is applying for membership in IUCN and has set forth actions for enlisting mount Damavand, the highest peak in Iran as a World Heritage Site.

3)Since the announcement of 2002, MEPS has put special emphasis on IYM and has directed a variety of activities in Iran in this regard.

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IYM in Iran

For information dissemination on IYM, MEPS published 5000 posters in April 2001 and distributed them. In the meantime the news was spread via daily papers several times . In July, following MEPS invitation" The Coordinating Committee for International Years of Mountains" was established in Iran. several concerned GO and NGO representatives are among the members of this committee. Unfortunately, despite extemsive efforts, and due to legal impediments, MEPS has not succeeded to upgrade the committee to a national level so far, but the objectives and activities are being followed.

In this regard several meetings with high-ranking officials have been arranged, and a one-day gathering with 110 participants from different parts of the country was organized in Febryary 2002 where the ideals of IYM were highlited.

The committee has the following main targets in its agenda:

1) To set up "Sub-committee of Mountain" in Iran's National Committee for Sustainable Development, Department of Environment.

2) To organize an International seminar in November 2002.

3) To publish a book on mountain ecosystems on the occasion of  IYM 2002.

4) To resume attempts for establishment of " Mountain research center" in Iran.

5) To follow efforts for creation of mountain law in Iran.

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