Statements of the Supreme Leader in Meeting with the Minister and Officials of the Jihad for Construction on Natural Resources Week

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Every year on such days, I personally plant a tree, and this act is not specific to this year. However, this year, I intentionally chose to carry out this tree planting and respect for plants and the celebration of the guardianship of natural resources and green spaces in public, as I feel that the country truly needs this matter seriously. A tree is a symbol of life in a nature that we, with a common perspective, consider lifeless. Trees and plants, in utilizing inaccessible resources deep in the earth and among the particles of soil and transforming them into a beautiful, growing, living entity, display a great divine miracle. Trees and plants have so far been the only corridors through which humans have been able to access vast and diverse food resources beneath the soil; they extract those resources and benefit the existence and life of humanity from them.

This plant, which unfortunately is so disdained in the machinery and wings of industry—especially in countries that are newly acquainted with industry—is the true essence of human existence. That is, the endless source of vital and nutritional materials within the soil transforms into plants, and from plants, it becomes human; either through animals or directly. This is why "And Allah created you from clay"; you and I are linked to a sperm that is produced from plant and animal materials, which are products of the soil. Thus, with one or two intermediaries, all of humanity and all animals are born from the soil; "From it We created you" and the intermediary is also the plant. If there are no plants, there are no humans. If there are no plants, there are no animals. Given the complex cycle of nature and the mutual effects of water, air, soil, and trees on each other, if there are no plants, there is no air either. Plants are a fundamental basis of existence; however, unfortunately, we do not view plants and trees in this light. This is why pastures are being destroyed, forests are being destroyed, and trees and orchards in urban areas—even in non-urban areas, sometimes due to the illusion of fictitious benefits—are disappearing.

Today, I heard from some gentlemen who were explaining at the flower and plant exhibition about the importance of poplar, the materials that poplar can provide for us, and the research conducted on poplar. I remembered that some time ago—perhaps two or three years back—I received a report from someone who complained that in a vast complex not far from Tehran, several thousand poplar trees had been cut down by a few profit-seekers—not to be called capitalists or investors; profit-seekers—to build a construction complex there and sell it at a certain price! Such indifference to plants, trees, orchards, and the natural factors of life and existence is detrimental to the country. We have a country that, in terms of land area, is one of the rich countries. It is said that we have little water, and that is indeed correct; however, it has been experienced that even with little water—along with conservation and scientific methods—land can be cultivated. If we strive; if we use scientific methods and apply proper management, with the current amount of water available in Iran, we can cover this vast land with vegetation. It is a source of shame for us that despite this rich country, we obtain plant products and even necessary food materials from others. It is just like a country that does not have land and resources and this great agricultural history. This situation must be transformed into a proper state by you gentlemen—by you officials and relevant ministers.

We must be able to save ourselves from the wasteful depletion of vital and natural resources—such as trees, water, and soil—through precise planning, strong management, and insistence and seriousness in work. Of course, very good works have been done—some I knew about, and some I learned about today here—but these works must be pursued seriously. We must insist on achieving constructive goals in practical stages. For us, the issue of the environment or preserving natural resources is not a secondary or luxurious matter; it is a vital issue. In our efforts for the development of the country, priority must be given to this sector. Emphasis must also be placed on this sector. Even the inclination towards industry must be considered in light of this sector so that the country can benefit; so that we, as a country that is naturally endowed with good and suitable nature—after all, there are climatic facilities, and what has been destroyed has been destroyed by humans—can utilize these facilities and increase them and not allow those resources to be lost.

The issue of desertification and combating aridity must be among the fundamental tasks and placed in serious programs. The matter that was just mentioned—the work that was said to have been done; water harvesting—is good. It is a good name, and it is a good work; utilizing floods correctly and properly, in appropriate forms. Such plans and similar plans must be implemented. Numerous plans of this kind can be anticipated that do not even require large investments and can be realized simply through initiative, follow-up, compassion, and coordination among various sectors.

We hope that, God willing, everyone—both the government and all segments of the nation and the officials of various sectors—will seriously address the important issue of preserving natural resources, plants, trees, agriculture, optimal use of water, soil, and various other resources, and we will see in the future program—Program Three—that priority is given to these works. The basis of these works is in our own country. Its possibility, its enthusiasm, its intelligence, and its capabilities are, thanks be to God, here. In fact, it is the revival of what exists; it is not borrowing and begging for it, but rather the emergence of the internal capabilities of the country and the nation. God willing, the victory will be with this side. The direction should be such that we can revive more hopes in our hearts for the future of this sector. I thank all of you dear brothers and sisters for the efforts you have made.

God willing, may you be successful. I thank the respected officials for their efforts and hope that God grants them the success to double this effort.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.