Iran: 2,600% Rise in Number of Banned Plains

Rapidly declining water resources has impelled the government to increase the number of plains from which water withdrawal is banned from 15 in 1968 to 405 now -- up 2,600%.
“The number is appalling as the banned plains account for 95% of the underground water reserves that are being depleted faster than presumed,” said Muhammad Ali Mostafavi, director of Water Resources Preservation Office at the Waster Resources Management Company, ILNA reported.