On the 31st August the notorious incident of fatal attack on a female cheetah and her three cubs as they peacefully drank from a well by a brutal group led to a national Cheetah day in the calendar. Despite this unfortunate association, dedicating a specific day on the calendar could serve as a positive gesture for a species now reduced to only 70 individuals. This day can address the adversities they endured, in hope that they roam the plains of our land freely—the very plains whose existence in the future remains uncertain.
For years, the tragic decline of cheetahs in Iran, the last survivors of the once glorious Asiatic cheetahs worldwide, has unfolded. However, the incident on August 31, 1994, brought the severe condition of cheetahs into the spotlight. Now, after over two decades, with the tireless efforts of environmental activists, only 70 cheetahs remain in the plains of Iran.
For over two decades, attention has been directed towards saving the Asiatic Cheetah, whose sole habitat is in Iran. However, as conservation efforts intensified, the decline of cheetahs also saw an upward trend. This growing pattern underscores the importance of conserving and supporting this rare species more than ever. Any attempt to raise awareness has proven beneficial and can serve as a step towards preventing the annihilation of cheetahs. Whether it's a symbolic gesture, with their image adorning the jersey of the Iranian national football team in the World Cup, a dedicated episode of a television series, or a message conveyed with the support of Keshavarzi Bank and the efforts of two athletes on the path to follow in the traces of cheetahs…
A journey to the Cheetahs Habitat began from Keshavarzi Bank premises.
The morning of May 11th was no ordinary day at the Keshavarzi Bank premises. Members of the board of directors, managers, heads of departments, and bank members gathered to bid farewell to two cyclists. These cyclists were setting out on a 1600-kilometer journey, tracing the habitat of the Asiatic Cheetah and conveying a powerful message of support for the conservation of this endangered species.
Environmental enthusiasts Mahmood Ghaemmaghami and Koroush Behzadi would embark on their journey from Keshavarzi Bank’s central office, concluding it in the cheetah's habitat. The estimated 45-day expedition would take them through Qom, Isfahan, Yazd, and Kerman, reaching its final destination in Hormozgan.
This symbolic act by the two athletes to support the Asiatic Cheetahs was sponsored by Keshavarzi Bank, aligning with their social commitment to environmental preservation and support for our natural resources.
For Financial Aid We Sought Environmentally-Friendly Organizations
“Perhaps the initial reason and the sole motive behind setting out this journey is that we grew tired of sitting at home, merely reproaching the critical and improper condition of Iran's environmental crisis. At a certain point, we realized the need to take more tangible and practical actions, anything within our own capacity,” expressed Kourosh Behzadi, one of the cyclists who organized a 1600-kilometer journey in support of Asiatic Cheetahs. At 21 years old, Kourosh Behzadi has been biking for nine years. Since 2012, he has initiated biking tours for environmental causes, and the recent trip designed to support the lives of Asiatic cheetahs marks his fourth environmentally conscious journey.
He emphasized the necessity of taking actions to preserve the environment, stating that by neglecting our responsibility, we are undoubtedly indebted to future generations. He also pointed out the importance of eco-friendly cycling journeys, saying, “The advantage of arranging these journeys is that we can convey our message to a broader audience, enabling us to attract more support for preserving the environment."
Behzadi then outlined their plan for the recent journey and added, 'In our society, three groups significantly impact people, particularly in rural and local communities: physicians, the elderly, and athletes. As representatives of the third group with a positive influential reputation, we aim to directly engage with local communities. We will sit with them to discuss the history of this creature on our lands and make them aware of its significance. Therefore, I believe our distinct advantage, setting us apart from other similar initiatives for saving cheetahs, lies in the implementation of our athletic spirit. Cheetahs play a crucial role in Iran’s desert ecosystem, and their absence would undoubtedly eliminate many aspects of this ecosystem and desert life. We plan to convey these sentiments to the local communities near the cheetah’s habitat.
In response to Payam-Mehr’s question about why they chose Keshavarzi Bank as their sponsor, he explained, 'While we have explored other options to attract support, we focused on identifying organizations and institutions that align with environmental values and consistently demonstrate their environmental concerns throughout the years. With its profound connection to nature, Keshavarzi Bank eagerly partnered in the cause, once again demonstrating its commitment to environmental preservation as part of its social responsibility."
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