People, Environment
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Restoration of Hamouns Planned

Restoration of Hamouns Planned
Restoration of Hamouns Planned

With the implementation of the comprehensive wetland management plan, Hamoun Wetlands will be revived in two years.

Director of Iranian Wetlands Conservation Project Mohsen Soleimani Rouzbehani added that mismanagement of water resources is the main reason for the drying up of wetlands, noting that Afghanistan is partially responsible for the sorry state of Hamouns, ISNA reported

He cited climate change and other natural phenomena as factors that have worsened the problem.

The official said last year, the Department of Environment made efforts to devise a comprehensive plan aimed at proper management of wetlands.

According to the plan, any developmental project in the vicinity of the Hamouns must carry out extensive environmental assessment studies and prioritize the wellbeing of wetlands.

Once provincial and national authorities approve the plan—which will be completed in two months—it will be immediately implemented.

“Experts from the public and private sectors cooperated to draw up the plan,” Rouzbehani said. “The plan outlines the responsibilities of every relevant organization.”

The Hamoun Wetland is made up of three connected lakes located on Iran-Afghanistan border: Hamoun-e Helmand, which is entirely in Iran; Hamoun-e Sabari on the border; and Hamoun-e Puzak, which is almost entirely inside Afghanistan.

Dam constructions and excessive irrigation on both sides of the border have rendered the once thriving wetland dry.

During a recent trip to Iran, President Ashraf Ghani of Afghanistan and Iran’s environmental chief, Massoumeh Ebtekar, discussed the abysmal state of the Hamouns and vowed to increase efforts to revive the wetlands.

 

Financialtribune.com