Parviz Kardavani, Geographer and Father of Desert Science in Iran, Passes Away
Parviz Kardavani, a geographer and founder of scientific desert studies in Iran, passed away on Wednesday evening, August 27, at the age of 90.
Parviz Kardavani suffered from bone marrow cancer.
After obtaining his diploma in Iran, Mr. Kardavani went to Germany and returned to Iran after earning his doctorate in desert engineering.
He served as director general of the Educational Research Office at the University of Tehran from 1969 to 1975, and later founded and headed the Research Center for Desert and Arid Regions of Iran.
He was among the critics of governments’ water policies and had warned in numerous books over the past 30 years about “water theft,” “land subsidence,” and “well salinity” in the country.
His views on some issues related to Iran’s environment, including his opposition to the restoration of Lake Urmia, were also accompanied by criticism.
Considering the recent conditions of this lake, Mr. Kardavani believed it should be abandoned and efforts should focus on creating forests and pastures instead. He argued that one should no longer hope for Lake Urmia’s revival, as according to him, the lake has contracted an “incurable disease” and is beyond remedy.
He also proposed sand spreading instead of mulch as a solution to dust storms in Iran and for stabilizing desert soil.
Source: Radio Farda
