Azerbaijan, Baku, August 15 / Trend N. Umid
Iran ranks 114 among 134 countries in the 2012 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) report, ILNA news agency reported.
The index ranks countries on 25 performance indicators covering both environmental public health and ecosystem vitality.
Iran's rank in 2006 EPI report was 40, which indicates a fall by 74 steps during ex-president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad`s administration (2005-2013), the report said.
Switzerland, Latvia, Norway are in the top of list, while Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iraq are at the bottom of it.
It should be recalled that, in 2006 the then head of the Iran Environment Protection Organization Masoumeh Ebtekar was named one of the seven 2006 Champions of the Earth by the UN Environment Program as a prominent and "inspirational" environmental leader who has made an impact at policy level in a region of the world.
Experts said that, Iran's EPI rate fall during last years is linked to Ahmadinejad`s policies. During his presidency some serious environmental incidents happened.
The Urmia Lake drying up problem, which some 70 percent of its water surface has been dried up is one of the main Iran's environmental problems.
Destroying forests is another problem. According to the official statistics some 40 hectares of forests are being destroyed every year.
One of the problems that really affects the health of people in Iran is the air pollution. The air over Iran's capital is amongst the most polluted in the world. Experts say many Iranians suffer serious health problems as a result.
Cities such as Ahvaz and Sanandaj also are in the top of the world's most polluted cities.
Lagoons` drying up has also been among Iran's environmental problems during last several years. Anzali Lagoon's water surface has decreased during that time.
Also main areas of some lagoons, such as Gavkhooni, Hamoun, Ajigol, Parishan have also dried up.
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