Iran’s Anzali Wetland Ecological Management Project
Iran’s Anzali Wetland Ecological Management Project From September 6 to 15, 2011, a JICA training course for officials from Iran’s Department of Environment was held in Tokyo, Miyagi and Kushiro. The course was part of a technical cooperation project implemented by JICA in Iran to conserve the Anzali Wetland, and five officials from Iran attended.
On September 12 and 13, KIWC provided training with lectures outlining programs for conservation of the Kushiro Wetland and initiatives to promote environmental education. Trainees also went by canoe to observe sites where the Kushiro Wetland Nature Restoration Project was implemented and other places.
The Anzali Wetland is located on the southern coast of the Caspian Sea in Iran. Hosting lakes, rivers and marshes, the area is known as one of the world’s major wintering and breeding habitats for waterfowl. It was registered in 1975, making it one of the oldest Ramsar sites in Iran. However, it was listed in the Montreux Record in 1993 due to recent water quality deterioration caused by urbanization, agricultural drainage, sediment influx and other problems.
In response to a request from the government of Iran, the government of Japan has provided, through JICA, technical support for the formulation of an Anzali Wetland conservation plan since 2003 in order to improve waterside environments and protect valuable ecosystems.
for diverse flora and fauna. During the training course in Kushiro, the trainees and KIWC Secretariat members had opportunities to discuss ways of further developing the wetland conservation exchanges between Japan and Iran that began through the Anzali Wetland Ecological Management Project.

Winter Wetland Tour for WWD 2012
On January 28, 2012, KIWC held the Winter Wetland Tour 2012 event to mark the February 2 World Wetlands Day. A total of 25 staff and locals ranging from elementary school children to octogenarian took part in the trip to Lake Shirarutoro.
The group took the steam locomotive Fuyu-no-Shitsugen Train, which runs only in winter, from Kushiro Station to Kayanuma Station at the eastern edge of the Kushiro Wetland. During the hour-long journey, participants enjoyed viewing Hokkaido Sika Deer, Red-crowned Cranes and other wildlife, and took in the scenery of the snow-blanketed Kushiro Wetland.
After arrival, the group was guided by KIWC Senior Technical Committee member Mr. Hisashi Shinsho (who also acts as an environment facilitator) on a walk over the frozen Lake Shirarutoro and in its adjoining forest to observe wild animal tracks, ice conditions and other local characteristics. All participants lay on the frozen white lake surface and gazed at the wide-open sky while enjoying the breeze and the songs of birds.
Winter Wetland Tour for WWD 2012 After the walk, the group visited Ikoi-no-ie Kayanuma ? a popular local spa facility ? to warm themselves. This program, which is designed to promote enjoyment of the Kushiro Wetland in winter, was planned in keeping with the Wetlands and Tourism theme of the 2012 World Wetlands Day. Post-event feedback from the participants indicated hopes of being able to pass on the area’s beautiful natural environment to future generations and to partake in wetland protection volunteer activities and related events. The program helped to highlight that having people directly experience and enjoy the beautiful natural environment of the wetland is a major step forward in enhancing public interest and enthusiasm for natural conservation.