@2024 Afarand., IRAN
ISSN: 2538-4384 Geographical Researches 2020;35(2):117-128
ISSN: 2538-4384 Geographical Researches 2020;35(2):117-128
Typology of Environmental Crimes in Iran’s Natural Geography
ARTICLE INFO
Article Type
Original ResearchAuthors
Rabani H. (1)Jalalian A. (*2)
Pournouri M. (3)
(*2) Department of International Law, Faculty of Theology & Islamic Sciences, Tehran Branch, Payam-e Noor University, Tehran, Iran
(1) Department of Environmental Law, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
(3) Department of Law, Faculty of Law, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Correspondence
Address: Sepand Road, Karim Khan Zand Avenue, North of Nejadollahi Master (Villa) Avenue, Tehran, Iran. Postal Code:1598686613Phone: +98 (21) 88801090
Fax: +98 (21) 88546377
dr_ajalalian@yahoo.com
Article History
Received: March 11, 2020Accepted: June 10, 2020
ePublished: June 10, 2020
ABSTRACT
Aims & Backgrounds
The aim of this study was to evaluate the typology of environmental crimes in the natural geography of Iran.
Methodology First, a checklist of different environmental crimes prepared based on semi-structured interview method with 169 respondents identified as sample size. Second, using expert opinions and the method of pairwise comparison, environmental crimes are weighted and their importance coefficient was determined. Finally, related data were collected from the legal offices of the relevant organizations, the statistics of violations, and environmental crimes in each provinces of the country between the years 2016 to 2019.
Findings Environmental crimes are classified into 3 major factors, 8 minor-factors, and 23 measurement categories. The highest crime rates were "ecosystem degradation", "environmental pollution" and "biodegradation", respectively. The highest percentage of minor crimes belongs to "water pollution" with 58 percent, followed by "soil pollution" with 26 percent, and finally "air pollution" with 16 percent. In crimes related to "ecosystem destruction"; the highest percentage belongs to "destruction of forests and pastures" with 48%, followed by "destruction of wetlands and ecosystems" with 35%, and finally, "destruction of mountains and plains" with 17%. In the case of crimes related to "harvesting resources and effects on biodiversity"; the highest percentage of "damage to wildlife" was 57% and the lowest rate was "damage to habitat" with 43%. The highest crime rates belong to "land-use change" (9.4%) and the lowest is "herbal plant harvests" (0.5%). Mazandaran province with 6674 cases of environmental crimes is at the top of the list of provinces in the country and Khorasan Razavi province with 232 crimes is at the lowest point.
Conclusion Considering the multiplicity and diversity of environmental crimes in the country and the increasing frequency of crime, it is necessary to take more effective measures in this regard.
Methodology First, a checklist of different environmental crimes prepared based on semi-structured interview method with 169 respondents identified as sample size. Second, using expert opinions and the method of pairwise comparison, environmental crimes are weighted and their importance coefficient was determined. Finally, related data were collected from the legal offices of the relevant organizations, the statistics of violations, and environmental crimes in each provinces of the country between the years 2016 to 2019.
Findings Environmental crimes are classified into 3 major factors, 8 minor-factors, and 23 measurement categories. The highest crime rates were "ecosystem degradation", "environmental pollution" and "biodegradation", respectively. The highest percentage of minor crimes belongs to "water pollution" with 58 percent, followed by "soil pollution" with 26 percent, and finally "air pollution" with 16 percent. In crimes related to "ecosystem destruction"; the highest percentage belongs to "destruction of forests and pastures" with 48%, followed by "destruction of wetlands and ecosystems" with 35%, and finally, "destruction of mountains and plains" with 17%. In the case of crimes related to "harvesting resources and effects on biodiversity"; the highest percentage of "damage to wildlife" was 57% and the lowest rate was "damage to habitat" with 43%. The highest crime rates belong to "land-use change" (9.4%) and the lowest is "herbal plant harvests" (0.5%). Mazandaran province with 6674 cases of environmental crimes is at the top of the list of provinces in the country and Khorasan Razavi province with 232 crimes is at the lowest point.
Conclusion Considering the multiplicity and diversity of environmental crimes in the country and the increasing frequency of crime, it is necessary to take more effective measures in this regard.
CITATION LINKS
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[2]Akrami F, Karimi A, Abbasi M, Shahrivari A (2018). Adapting the principles of biomedical ethics to Islamic principles and values in the context of public health policy. Journal for the Study of Religions and Ideologies. 17(49): 46-59. [Persian]
[3]Arabi SM, Nesbi N (2016). Applying a strategic audit model to develop human resource strategies, strategic management studies. 7(25):197-214. [Persian]
[4]Beskese A, Demir HH, Ozcan HK, Okten HE (2015). Landfill site selection using fuzzy AHP and fuzzy TOPSIS: a case study for Istanbul. Environmental Earth Sciences. 73:3513–3521.
[5]Brisman A, South N (2018). Green criminology and environmental crimes and harms. Sociology Compass. 13(1).
[6]Cochran JC, Lynch MJ, Toman EL, Rayan TS (2016). Court sentencing patterns for environmental crimes: Is there a “Green” gap in punishment?. Journal of Quantitative Criminology. 34:37–66.
[7]Poorhashemi SA, Dabiri F, Khalatbari Y, Zarei S (2016). Formation and development of "future generation rights" concept in international environmental law. Journal of Eviromental Science and Technology. 18(3):167-180. [Persian]
[8]Danesh Nari H, Moradfar A (2016). Criminology of the boom world: A new approach to international criminology studies. International Policy Study Journal. 21(1):51-74. [Persian]
[9]Di Ronco A, Allen‐Robertson J, South N (2018). Representing environmental harm and resistance on Twitter: The case of the TAP pipeline in Italy. Crime, Media, Culture: An International Journal. 15(1).
[10]Easterbrook F (1983). Criminal procedure as a market system. Journal of Legal Studies. 12(2):289-332.
[11]The Editorial Board (2018). America's federally financed ghettos. The New York Times.
[12]Emery A, Watson M (2004). Organizations and environmental crime: Legal and economic perspectives. Managerial Auditing Journal. 19(6):741-759.
[13]Faure G, Visser, M (2003). Law and economics of environmental crime: A Survey.
[14]Hajivand A, Mirkamali A, Safari F, Sarvai Sarmidani O (2018). Government criminal responsibility for environmental crimes in Iran: Necessities and challenges. Environmental Sciences. [Persian]
[15]Heydarzadeh E, Mozafari S (2014). Prevention of environmental offenses. Journal of Biological Ethics. 3(7):163-192. [Persian]
[16]Lynch MJ, Stretesky PB, Long MA (2015). Environmental justice: A criminological perspective. Environmental Research Letters. 10(8).
[17]Mirkamali A, Hajivand A (2017). Analyzing the prevention of environmental crimes in the light of the united nations guidelines based on the ethical principle of prevention of harm. Bioethics Journal. 7(26):61-75. [Persian]
[18]Rees H (2010). Can criminal law protect the environment? Journal of Scandinavian Studies in Criminology and Crime Prevention. 2(2).
[19]The Science and Environmental Health Network [Internet]. The International Human Rights Clinic at Harvard Law School, Modeles for Protecting the Environment for future Generations. [Published 2008, 12 October]. United States: SEHN Publications. Available From: http://www.sehn.org http://www.sehn.org http://www.law.harvard.edu/programs/hrp
[20]United Nations, International Law Commission (2006). Draft principles on the allocation of loss in the case of trans boundary harm arising out of hazardous activities. Yearbook of the International Law Commission: UNWTO Publications
[21]White R (2016). Transnational environmental crime: Toward an Eco-global criminology. London: Routledge Publication.