Around Iran: Regional Round-up

This week in Iran’s provinces: Baha’i cemetery set for demolition; two Spanish hunters arrested in Ilam; farmers protest in Kerman; people flock to a Hamedan park to witness a tree leaking water; and seven Iranians are enlisted for a mission to Mars.

Destruction of Historic Baha'i Cemetery in Shiraz

As part of planned development work, members of the Revolutionary Guards began excavating an important and historical Baha'i cemetery in Shiraz last week. The cemetery has belonged to the Shiraz’s Baha'i minority since 1919 and some 950 people remain buried there, among them 10 Baha'i women who were executed by the Islamic Republic. According to Bani Dugal, representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations, members of the Baha'i community appealed directly to officials, asking them to halt construction of a sports facility near the cemetery, but their application was rejected.

Farmers In Tomato Protest

In recent weeks, farmers have staged protests in Rudbar Jonoub in Kerman district, expressing outrage over the falling price of produce in the region. The farmers, who say they can no longer make a living, blocked roads and dumped tomatoes and other goods outside a provincial government building. In one incident, protesters removed and destroyed a framed photograph of the governor, resulting in several hours of unrest. Police were eventually brought in to break up the demonstration. Local suppliers have removed tomatoes from city markets and have vowed to continue their protests.

Two Spaniards Arrested on Illegal Hunting Charges

Two Spanish tourists have been arrested for allegedly hunting in one of Ilam's nature reserves. The director of Ilam's wildlife reservations, Gholamhossein Kazemi, said the men were first identified along with two Iranians by park guards and, after a three-day search, all four men were found and arrested. The men claimed they were in the area conducting research, but Kazemi said that even if that were the case, permits are required to enter the province's nature reserves. Among the items seized by park officials were photographs of rare local animals, a dead crocodile, traps, and other hunting equipment. Law enforcement officials in the province say the men are likely to be part of a known network of criminals who have in recent years smuggled rare lizards and reptiles out of the country via the Iraqi border. Ilam's wildlife reserves make up 25 per cent of the province's land area. 

Water Running From Tree Becomes Major Local Attraction

Following reports on May 5^th that water was pouring out of a small opening of a tree in a Hamedan park, local residents came in large numbers to witness the rare occurrence. People lined up outside the park, causing traffic jams. Despite a city council official’s statement that the source of the water is most likely due to a burst water pipe underneath the tree, some residents bottled the water for good luck and others said the phenomenon may have spiritual significance. Local officials rejected supernatural explanations and urged residents not to engage in superstitious behavior.

Seven Enlisted for Mission to Mars

At the beginning of May, four men and three women enlisted in a project to set up the first colony on Mars. The volunteers passed a number of tests conducted by the Iranian Space Agency and were chosen from 202,586 individuals out of 107 countries that initially showed interest in the project. The group was then narrowed down to 705 people, from which the final seven were chosen. The project includes nine major phases, with the first group of colonists scheduled to land on Mars in 2022. Additional tests to determine mental, physical, and other types of fitness will be carried out at later dates. In its final phase, the colony is projected to accommodate 20 settlers.