Iran plans to launch an innovative system to monitor environmental hazards across the country. Specifically, the initiative will introduce specialized software designed to track active atmospheric dust sources worldwide. As a result, officials expect the program to improve regional preparedness and reduce the impact of severe ecological damage.
The new dust storm monitoring technology will provide municipal emergency responders with real-time data on environmental threats. Meanwhile, Behnam Rayegani announced that Khuzestan Province will implement the decision-support platform within 30 days. Additionally, national authorities are developing these tools to improve coordination during severe environmental emergencies.
Environmental agencies relied on basic prevention methods and updated dust storm hotspot maps only once every several years. However, Iran now plans to shift toward active impact-mitigation strategies. Consequently, the national program will focus on public health protection, environmental recovery, and stronger community resilience.
The monitoring system will provide seasonal and monthly updates to identify environmental changes more accurately. Therefore, scientists will have better access to data for analyzing dryland patterns and predicting future dust activity. In addition, the government has allocated a budget of 600 billion tomans for the initiative during the current Iranian calendar year.
According to officials, the funding equals approximately $3.5 million and will support land restoration projects, environmental rehabilitation, and the installation of new monitoring sensors. At the same time, Iran continues to face more than 10 million hectares of severely degraded land affected by environmental challenges.
The dust storm monitoring system will strengthen national environmental security and protect public health. In addition, Iran plans to expand international cooperation to address cross-border dryland challenges. Specifically, the United Nations and local authorities are expected to launch a biodiversity project within two months.
Japan will fund a pilot project in the southeastern Sistan region. Through this initiative, local teams will test traditional sand-control methods to stabilize shifting soil in dry areas. As a result, communities will gain additional tools to adapt to increasingly difficult climate conditions.
The combination of physical barriers and digital monitoring technology represents a significant advancement in environmental management. Therefore, regional partners are closely observing the project to evaluate future opportunities for cooperation. If successful, the system could establish a new international standard for atmospheric monitoring and environmental risk management.