Maziar Kazemi said that the fields are burnt annually in summer after the farmers harvest their crops, adding that the thick smoke caused by the fire deposits soot on the structures of the ancient city.

“The black smoke is a great threat to the stone structures and the bas-relief works, changing their color and causing erosion of the stone structures. It also creates breathing problems for visitors,” he explained.

Persepolis Complex officials have discussed the case with relevant organizations such as the Agriculture Jihad Ministry and the Department of the Environment.

The director of the Marvdasht Office of the Department of the Environment, Qasem Nahavandi, stated that acid rain, air pollution, and smoke are becoming a catastrophe in the region, adding that the office has filed a letter of complaint against the farmers.

He noted that the relevant officials must teach new strategies to the farmers and encourage them to change their old methods.

The farmers burn the fields after the harvest in order to destroy weeds and scraps so that they can begin cultivation sooner, although experts believe this method harms the land and soil over the years.