Iranians are using up renewable waters at a more rapid pace than any other nation in the world, said Isa Kalantari, an advisor to the vice president on water, agriculture and environment. “Iran also ranks first in the world in terms of soil erosion since more than 10 million cattle are destroying the ranches by overgrazing,” said Kalantari in an address to a meeting on ‘Obstacles Hindering the Success of Department of the Environment in Safeguarding the Nature’. The meeting was held in Tehran University late Tuesday. Noting that developmental projects and conservation of the environment are not incompatible, Kalantari said people in underdeveloped nations are damaging the environment more than those living in developed nations. “Literacy rate is lower among poor people and they are less aware of their destructive activities. Hence they are more likely to damage the environment to earn a living,” he said. He said Iran must act according to the principles of sustainable development to safeguard the environment and encourage development. “Sustainable development is based on four basic principles: All activities must be economically viable, they must not damage the environment, they must not cause social disorders, and they must not violate the rights of future generations,” Kalantari noted. He said the failure to observe the principles of sustainable development has caused irreparable damages to the environment. “Over the past 70 years, technology has served as a mechanism for environmental damages rather than helping to save it. For example, illegal logging is taking place at a much faster pace today in view of the specialized machines involved.” He, however, conceded the undeniable role of development in increasing people’s income, enhancing employment and ensuring public wellbeing. The official warned about the overexploitation of underground water in Iran and said 40 million cubic meters out of 132 million cubic meters of renewable waters of Iran have been consumed over the past 70 years. “According to the UN, every nation is allowed to consume only 40 percent of its renewable waters but Iranians tap 86 percent of such resources each year,” he said, adding this has made Iran the world’s top country in terms of consumption of renewable waters. The official also warned the level of Iran’s underground waters has declined from 500 billion cubic meters 37 years ago to 370 billion cubic meters today. Kalantari said Iran is only able to produce food for 33 percent of its population because of the shortage of water and the rest must be imported. “Annual precipitation has declined form 447 millimeters to 221 millimeters, which hinders efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in food production,” he added. He pointed out that 88 million cubic meters of fresh water is used for producing food for 33 million out of a total 78 million people.