
Esmael Filehkesh, 44, botanist and head of the Natural Resources office in Sabzevar, NE Iran.
“The idea that the desert is dead is a myth. The desert is very much alive and with some thoughtfulness, one can not only survive but derive profits from it.
“The main problem with desert soil and any surface water that might go through is the saltiness. Ordinarily plants die in salt. But we know of plants that can tolerate water twice as salty as the sea water!
“There’s so much you can do with this land. You can breed wildlife and bring in tourists to view or hunt them. We’ve had Arabs come in because there’s a type of bird here that puts up an especially tough fight with birds of prey. Arab falconers love to watch the fight.
“People all over the world are interested in figuring out how to make the desert work. There are two ways: genetic manipulation, which takes a lot of time, and cultivation of plants that nature has already provided.

Desert Plants, including a type of edible spinosa (left), a type of salsola (middle), and a type of tamarix (right), Dasht-e Kavir desert, near Sabzevar, NE Iran.
“There are plants that you can cultivate to profitably feed livestock. There are plants that even people can eat, even eat it raw. We had a German come in and tell us that his people put uncooked spinosa right in their salad. We didn’t know that. We had never bothered to eat it. It grows naturally here.
“My entire career as a botanist [24 years] has been spent on studying the desert. People ask me why I spent so much of my life in the desert but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“The knowledge I’ve acquired I am happy to share with anyone, even if it means that they would get rich. I don’t mind. I think knowledge is a gift and gifts should be passed on.
"When we make the desert work for us, we are also containing the desert, something crucial to our future and the future of the rest of the planet.
“I think people who fight the desert are environmentalists who deserve credit; they are as important to the future as the guy who works to save the ozone."

Two men and a goat speeding through Dasht-e Kavir.