Speaking at a ceremony to commemorate the international day, deputy head of Forests, Rangelands and Watershed Organization said this year's motto points to the bonds between biodiversity and tourism.
Nasser Moqaddasi further said that sustainable tourism is a growing industry in the world and has a special status in Iran's Sixth Five-Year Economic Development Plan (2017-2022).
Iran boasts a variety of climatic conditions as well as flora and fauna species.
Over 1,400 vertebrate species can be found across the country.
Based on declaration of International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), close to 106 species face extinction. They are: 43 fish, four amphibians, 14 reptiles, 27 birds and 18 mammals.
Asghar Mobaraki, an environmental expert, said Iran boasts rich biodiversity, but various factors such as habitat destruction have exposed many species to threat.
To preserve the existing biodiversity over the wide geographic expanse of Iran, four types of areas have been designated for preservation and protection. The areas include national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, protected areas and natural national monuments.
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