Abstract

Isfahan is a famous city in Iran and Zayanderood is a river with a curved length of 420 km which divides Isfahan into two separate parts and makes civilization and life in its banks. Now with balancing weather conditions, beautifying, attracting tourists, providing drinkable water, supporting agriculture and industry, it has a significant role for the city. In the last years, it has been in danger because of the unsustainable development in the city. Among the most important threatening factors are: arrival of different contaminates involving industrial and agricultural sewage, overusing the water, making higher buildings, and industrial and urban development. On the other hand, environmental NGOs take some measures to protect it. These activities include culturalization, providing information, cleaning, determining a day as the Zayanderood honor, protesting to the threatening factors, presenting scientific solutions. Participating in making decisions and planning. This article discusses the activities of non-government environmental organizations in Isfahan.

Key words: Iran, Isfahan, Zayanderood, environment, NGO, river, development, protection, tourist, industrial.