Amendments of the Law on Exploitation and Protection of Forestry and Range Lands.

The amendments concern the need for authorization from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Agriculture for the conversion of forest and valley land into the following: 1. making farmland, orchard, rangeland, artificial forests, forage land, livestock institutions, aquatic breeding institutions, as well as the use for mine exploting and exploration (in nothern Iran); and 2. establishment of factories, townships, schools, training institutions, sport clubs, etc. The Ministry can allocate leases for these lands to legal persons, mentioned in this law, such as production companies, cultivation and industrial activities, mines, profit oriented govenment organizations and charity institutions. These lands can also be allocated to the Ministry of War, universities, or the Agricultural Development Banks for executing agricultural projects and establishment of agricultural research stations. According to regulations, in order to supply its needs, the Ministry can hire or allocate these lands to other governmental organizations, charity institutions and municipalities.