According to the latest statistics, the per capita water consumption in Iran is 5,100 liters per day, equivalent to the consumption of countries such as France, Denmark, or Switzerland, which do not have similar water challenges.. Water has exposed cracks in the Taliban's fragile relationship with Tehran, with both sides exchanging pointed barbs over scarce supplies before coming to deadly Nikahang Kowsar is an Iranian geologist who has worked in Khuzestan. These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features. "Making excuses for war and negative actions is not in the interest of any of the parties.". (Vaghefi et al). Some experts believe that the health crisis was sparked by an algal bloom created due to these conditions. For two weeks the Iranian government tolerated growing protests over scarce water supplies in the central Iranian city of Isfahan, watching them grow as restaurants served demonstrators free soup and barbers offered free haircuts. An in-Depth Look at Irans Water Crisis and Its Cause - NCRI Iran is now experiencing its worst water crisis in modern history. Anyone can read what you share. Declining rainfall, higher temperatures, desertification and extreme weather all place added pressure on Irans water supply. With intensifying environmental, economic, and social problems, protests across Iran are spreading. A "high" SSIa number as close to 1.0 as possiblewas found in places where snowfall is very seasonal. Farmers hit by water shortages are fleeing their villages to live in precarious settlements on the outskirts of cities. If you dont have water, you have to leave and in the last few decades, millions of villagers have left their homes behind and migrated to slums and shanty towns, he said. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. With few other options, many people have left, choosing uncertain futures as migrants in search of work". Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. Irans water crisis is entering a new paradigm where its impacts are becoming visible in the daily lives of millions of people. This is water bankruptcy, there are lots of water right holders but not enough water in the accounts, said Kaveh Madani, a world renown water expert and former deputy head of Irans environment agency. You can also change some of your preferences. Water shortages are compounded by the unequal distribution of water. But, with the significant decrease in rainfall this year, the threat of drought has become more serious. asked Weinbaum. Rice paddies like this one in Isfahan use a lot of water. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Balanced and sustainable development has not been the focus of the Iranian government, attention to the central provinces has increased the scope of the crisis, and the severity of the border provinces is strongly felt. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. Such sociopolitical pressures are likely to increase as urbanization, itself partly driven by earthquakes and the desertification of farmland, puts additional pressure on water infrastructure in sizable cities, especially the city of Tehran, which already consumes 20 percent of Irans drinkable water. [11], The total water withdrawal was estimated at about 70BCM in 1993, rising to 96BCM in 2018,[12] of which 92% was used for agricultural purposes, 6% for domestic use and 2% for industrial use. They have to go and get water from small puddles on the ground. Since the Taliban returned to power, the militant group has sought to build economic and security ties with Tehran. For more than two weeks, Mr. Tavakoli and hundreds of other farmers had been protesting on the dry bed of the citys storied Zayanderoud River. According to scientific findings, wetlands are among the most productive environments in the world and the cradles of biodiversity in the world, which play an important role in the survival of countless species of plants and animals by providing water and early reproductive capacity. National Council of Resistance of Iran In January 2022, the Taliban released water from the Kamal Khan Dam on the Helmand River in Nimroz Province into the Hamun Lake. In recent years, the steel industry and the refinery have expanded, requiring higher water consumption. Stanford, CA 94305-6045Phone:650-497-3931iranianstudies [at] stanford.eduCampus Map, 12th Bita Prize for Persian Arts: Kayhan Kalhor, Parissa in Concert: Recitals of the Nightingale, 11th Bita Prize for Persian Arts: Parissa, 10th Annual Bita Prize for Persian Arts: Marjane Satrapi, Ninth Annual Bita Prize: Shahrnush Parsipur, Eight Annual Bita Prize for Persian Arts: Professor Ehsan Yarshater, Seventh Annual Bita Prize for Persian: Iraj Pezeshkzad, Fifth Annual Bita Prize for Literature: Mr. Houshang Seyhoun, Bahram Beyzaie: 4th Annual Bita Prize for Literature, The Life and Poetry of Forough Farrokhzad, Series: Prospects and Challenges for Transition to Democracy in Iran. He has fifteen years of extensive professional experience in global energy market studies, energy security and geopolitical risk. A similar process in the north of Syria led many farmers to move to cities in the 2000s. In 2000, the Zayandehrud experienced a significant drought for the first time in recorded history. The researchers argue that water reuse and wastewater recycling are both feasible and affordable. [17] There are 42 large dams under operation in Iran with a combined storage capacity of 33BCM/year. The practical solutions that can potentially help Iran address its formidable water crisis can be grouped into those that seek to (i) improve water productivity (e.g., modernization of irrigation, expansion of greenhouses, and optimization of crop pattern), and (ii) selectively terminate some water-intensive activities. Currently, 70 percent of Iranians live in urban areas. Water scarcity in Iran is caused by high climatic variability, poor distribution of water, and prioritization of economic development. In January 2022, the Taliban released water from the Kamal Khan Dam on the Helmand River in Nimroz Province into the Hamun Lake. Still, this microclimate and spectacular natural range is being damaged due to recklessness and is the victim of [the regimes] economic interests, wrote the state-runVatan-eEmroozdaily on March 8. In 1979, separatist elements in the province rose up against the newly-instated Islamic Republic. In 1980, when Saddam Hussein invaded Iran, he started with Khuzestan, hoping in vain that the provinces Arabs would join him; Khuzestan was a major front line in the war for the next three years. In numerous localities, there may be no precipitation until sudden storms, accompanied by heavy rains, dump almost the entire year's rainfall in a few days. This site uses cookies. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. The problem is also bound to affect Tehrans international relations, as it shares water resources with Afghanistan and Iraq and has increasingly butted heads with them in light of shortages. We will face a serious water crisis soon, and this will create many problems for agriculture and animal husbandry, said MohammadrezaAsafari, MP fromMarkaziprovince, according to the state-run Mehr News Agency, an outlet linked to the Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) on Tuesday. Water scarcity is a growing problem across the Middle East. It has more than halved in size from 5,400 square kilometers (2,085 square miles) in the 1990s to just 2,500 square They suggest that recycled water could be used in parks, industrial plants, and other places that do not require high-quality water. Referring to the production of 17 million tons of steel and associated by-products by the Mobarakeh Steel Company in Isfahan last year, Ali Salajegheh, the Vice President and head of the Iranian Department of the Environment, said: This amount of steel needs about 170 to 200 million cubic meters of water . The water industry in Isfahan is not limited to steel, but also includes petrochemical development, pottery and brick factories, cement, ceramics, and so on. Water reuse in Iran with an emphasis on potable reuse (Scientia Iranica), Kayla Ritter is a recent graduate of Michigan State University, where she studied International Relations and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. [19], In July 2013, Issa Kalantari, the Minister of Agricultural under president Hashemi Rafsanjani, told Ghanoon newspaper that the water crisis is the "main problem that threatens" Iran, adding that it is more dangerous "than Israel, USA or political fighting among the Iranian elite". His account was backed up by several videos that were shared with The New York Times by Isfahan residents. Weinbaum said neither the Taliban nor Tehran is going to exhibit weakness on the issue of short-term water shortages. This 910 km long project with 10 sections of water pumping stations, has been implemented and will create employment for 14,000 people. I never expected them to do this to us, to beat us, fire at us and injure farmers, he added. They have confronted . The driest conditions in 53 years have brought chronic mismanagement of water resources to crisis point, with at least eight people killed in protests against the regime, Dams on the River Karun have reduced water flow downstream (Photo: M Samadi/Wikimedia Commons). Hamidreza Nikoomaram/Fars News Agency, via Associated Press. Lake Urmias demise has been fast. Water scarcity is an increasing problem on every Then the water transfer project expanded to other cities such as Kashan a project that continues to expand with the digging of new tunnels. As the scope of Irans water crisis becomes clear, officials in Tehran are encouraging sustainable water use. All Rights Reserved. The intensifying protests and peoples slogans targeting the regime and its officials have become a serious challenge to the mullahs grip on power. According toVatan-eEmrooz, about 90% of the countrys wetlands are drying up, and the destruction of these wetlands will undoubtedly lead to climate change, economic and food insecurity.. Previously she was a senior writer and war correspondent for the Wall Street Journal for 17 years based in the Middle East. Irans water resources have been depleted by a lack of rain, the building of hydro-electric dams and farming of water-intensive products like rice, wheat and sugar cane. In other words, the water problem in Iran at various levels is a profound political challenge, Etemad daily wrote on Monday, underlining the importance and the consequences of Irans water crisis. The countrys former energy minister warned in May that Iran was facing its driest summer in 50 years and that temperatures approaching 50 degrees Celsius 122 degrees Fahrenheit would lead to cuts in electricity power and shortages of water. Food insecurity destroys the self-esteem of a nation, as the main pillar of national development and independence, and makescollective actions very costly by disrupting the accumulation of social capital,Entekhabwarned officials of the consequences of Irans water crisis. Scaling up clean energy the greatest growth proposition of the 21st century, EUs new energy efficiency rules could be gamechanger for education, Adaptation Fund is fostering nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based adaptation, Poverty reduction now depends on meaningful climate action, Energy saving tech can step in to solve global crises, Green funds destroy Indonesias forests Climate Weekly, How a local victory against petrochemicals can spur global action on plastics, Green finance bankrolls forest destruction in Indonesia, Row over veto powers holds up Paris plastic treaty talks, FSCs rehab scheme for forest destroyers under fire after fresh allegations. State television even aired interviews with farmers discussing their grievances. Lake Urmia, once the largest salt lake in the Middle East, has shrunk to 5 percent of its previous size. Contentious Water Treaty In 2009, this figure was less than 2,000 cubic meters. Between 1970 and 2007, Iraqs population tripled, reaching 30 million. "The intensification of them is obviously building dams, which represent simply a lower flow than they've been accustomed to and are not happy with.". The main driver has been the substantial unsustainable water consumption of the For a limited time, NewsMatch will match your gift, dollar for dollar, You have the power to inform the world's most important decisions, Unearthing Water Risks of The Global Mining Industry. Water has exposed cracks in the Taliban's fragile relationship with Tehran, with both sides exchanging pointed barbs over scarce supplies before coming to deadly blows along the Afghan-Iranian border. Iran is expected to have a mean temperature increase of 2.6C and a 35% decrease in precipitation within the next few decades. In addition to the shortage of drinking water, the emerging drought in Iran will further devastate peoples lives. Disagreement over how increasingly scarce water should be used can be managed peacefully though, he said. WebFi gure 1 Water-Scarce Countries in the Middle East andNorth Africa SPAIN Fresh Water: A Scarce and Critical Resource Water sustains humans health, food production,and economic development. Iran is currently facing the worst drought in half a In addition to aquifers, Irans vast wetlands are also being dried due to the regimes policies. 615 Crothers Way Tensions remain high following the deaths of troops from both sides on May 27, with Taliban and Iranian officials digging in on their positions with increased military activity and fresh warnings. "The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan considers dialogue to be a reasonable way for any problem," Taliban Defense Ministry spokesman Enayatullah Khawarazmi said in a statement on May 28, referring to the official name of the Taliban's unrecognized government. Social media footage showed Taliban heavy weaponry streaming to the border in the Kang district of Nimroz Province, where officials said one Taliban border guard was killed and several people were wounded after an exchange of heavy gunfire. Decision makers should be noted that deep groundwater is not a good way to deal with water scarcity in Iran. Protests in July over water shortages, mostly staged by farmers from the ethnic Arab population in Khuzestan Province, were also violently crushed by the government. "As the climate heats up, this is only going to grow more acute," he said. However, the question remains: when Isfahan province is facing a water crisis, why are water-intensive agricultural products, such as rice, continuing to be cultivated in the province? This decrease in water supply has been compounded by a steep rise in the population in the past few decades, in turn increasing demand for water. The researchers argue that water reuse and wastewater recycling are both feasible and affordable. On Friday, as people gathered to protest, security forces lashed out with more violence. Perspectives: Turkey-Gulf Relations in Erdoans Next Term, Chinas Gulf Diplomacy and the Future of Taiwan. The Zayanderoud River snakes through the historic city of Isfahan. Changes in water availability are reflected in the countrys physical geography. The construction of dams -- which both Iran and Afghanistan engage heavily in -- and their downstream impact stand out among the causes to discuss. The Meteorological Organization of Iran estimates that rainfall in the southern provinces of Iran inSistanandBaluchestanwas 82% lower than the average long-term rainfall. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Gulf International Forum. Lukas Ruettinger, senior adviser at Adelphi, told Climate Home News this had played a part in the protests which led to the ongoing civil war. Compared to 1980-2004, 2025-2049 is going to have more frequent and severe heatwaves, droughts and floods. The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. In February, Iran formally handed over the Afghan Embassy in Tehran to the Taliban. Additionally, the violent treatment of people protesting the water crisis, especially in Khuzestan and Isfahan, shows that the government does not have a comprehensive plan to solve environmental problems, mainly the countrys water scarcity crisis. We haveexperienced any kind of ecologic disaster within the past four decades. Rights activists said dozens of people were arrested. Meanwhile,Hormozganprovince, bordering the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, has experienced 86% less rainfall compared to the prevailing rainfall pattern in that region, Aftab News writes in this regard. For example, Khuzestan and Ardabil Provinces have, to a large extent, protested against water shortages and complained that their water has been shipped inward; these protests have been faced with violence by the security forces, but have continued. In the future, 80 percent are expected to live in cities. In some parts of the country, water shortages have led to clashes between locals and security forces. Click to enable/disable Google reCaptcha. Air pollution [ edit] Car vs public transport in Tehran The World Bank estimates losses inflicted on Iran's economy as a result of deaths caused by air pollution at $640 million, which is equal to 5.1 trillion rials or 0.57 percent of GDP. The climate crisis - and how we confront it - is THE story of our lifetimes. Environmental Challenges Environmental issues have exacerbated the water crisis in Iran. Some analysts believe the water crisis may have been a significant contributor to the protests around January 2018. We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. The crackdown came after the protests spilled over to at least one other city and a major protest on Friday loomed. @farnazfassihi, A version of this article appears in print on, Iran Forcefully Clamps Down on Protests Against Growing Water Shortages, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/26/world/middleeast/iran-protests-water-shortages.html. She is currently based in Manton, Michigan. Drought and mismanagement of water resources are fuelling anger at Irans government, sparking protests in which at least eight people have been killed. As Kalantari said, the root of Irans water crisis is within the country. A photograph released by the semi-official Fars News Agency showed farmers protesting against water shortages on the dry bed of the Zayanderoud River in Isfahan, Iran, this month. Essa Kalantari, head of the regimes Environment Organization, in an interview with the state-run ISNA news agency on October 15, 2017, said: Not even a foreign enemy ruling this country would have been able to destroy natural resources and the environment, as what has happened in the past years. This study investigates Iran's water resources, crisis intensity, causes, and solutions to control and mitigate water crisis. Instead, the focus should be on ensuring the food security of the nation with no concern as to whence food originates. In 2013, a study by the World Resources Institute named Iran the 24th most water-stressed nation. While researchers studying satellite images found some revival since 2000, the wetland covers just over half its former area. Afghanistan's and Iran's water crises require both countries to show a strong hand on the issue of water supplies, both for domestic consumption and to protect their national interests. Officials have failed to reduce the negative effects of water scarcity, wrote the state-run Aftab News website on Tuesday in this regard. Furthermore, no more than half the irrigated lands (i.e., a quarter of total farmlands) in Iran are deemed suitable for such a transformation. These areas have lost their primary water source of agriculture, the Zayandeh Rud River, since 2006. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. Security guards fired birdshot and tear gas at the crowds of protesters and beat them with batons, according to two eyewitnesses in the area and videos shared widely on social media. Agricultural sector is not the most paramount cause of the water crisis in Iran. Iranian media, meanwhile, said up to three Iranian border guards were killed and several people wounded in its southeastern Sistan-Baluchistan Province, where Iran has worked to fortify its border as tensions over water supplies rose over the past two weeks. It is estimated that there are as many as 500,000 deep and shallow wells in the country. Seyed Ali Mamoudian, Secretary of the IWA National Committee for Iran: "Iran. Kayla enjoys running, writing, and traveling. Iran is on the fast track to severe water scarcity. For instance, if inadequate water is available for sanitation, water gets polluted through the introduction of disease-causing The deadly firefight took place across the shared border between southeastern Iran and southwestern Afghanistan, with each side accusing the other of firing first. [7], Internal renewable water resources are estimated at 89 billion cubic meters (BCM)/year[8] As a result of previous droughts and overexploitation of available water resources, the per capita water availability has been reduced to 1100 m3/year today with 85 million inhabitants .Surface runoff represents a total of 97.3BCM/year, of which 5.4BCM/year comes from drainage of the aquifers and thus needs to be subtracted from the total. Iran is one of the most beautiful countries globally with 140 unique wetlands with an area of more than 3 million hectares. Water scarcity in Iran is caused by high climatic variability, uneven distribution of water, over exploitation of available water resources,and prioritization of economic development. Iran has been facing increasing water scarcity issues because of years of mismanagement. The citys per capita water use exceeds 400 liters each day, compared with a country-wide average of 250 liters per day. WebThe scarcity of water can also cause water pollution. Concerning municipal wastewater, the bulk of collected sewage is discharged untreated and constitutes a major source of groundwater pollution and a risk to public health. The concentration of industries in the central provinces has been in line with the policy of centralization and with the interests of some political and economic groups, which have created a domestic constituency within Iran. Beat us, to beat us, fire at us and injure farmers, he said this 910 long. Water-Stressed nation a similar process in the Middle East researchers argue that water reuse and wastewater are! Cubic meters industry and the Future of Taiwan previous size that were shared with the significant decrease rainfall. A study by the World resources Institute named Iran the 24th most water-stressed nation many people have been killed Future... 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Because of years of extensive professional experience in global energy market studies, energy security and risk! Primary water source of agriculture, the emerging drought in Iran East, has shrunk 5.