The depth of the water shortage disaster in Iran

Mina Heydari, Etelat Newspaper

Sheikh Amirgholi Jafari Borujeni, a representative of the 11th Islamic Consultative Assembly from the Borujen constituency and the then head of the Parliament's Water Committee, says: "Based on long-term statistics, the country's average renewable water is currently estimated at about 90 billion cubic meters per year. Renewable water resources in the past were more than this amount, and based on global standards, including the FAO standard, to maintain the sustainability of the ecosystem of each region, no more than 40 percent of renewable water resources should be consumed."

If the consumption of a region exceeds 5 %, the area will face physical shortage of water.  So if we consider the ceiling as the same as 2 %, the current situation in the country is quite predictable and now it is more complex.

Iran's renewable water deficit is estimated at about 2 billion cubic meters, which must be provided for agriculture, the environment, the feeding of underground aquifers and compensation for past damage.

We have about 2 billion cubic meters of fraction in the drinking water and domestic use sector.  Water deficit causes problems such as land subsidence, climate change, the destruction of underground aquifers, the destruction of wetlands and lakes, and in general, lead to Iran's ecosystem balance.

Let me be clear and clear, the main reason for not reaching the long -term goals and policies of the water field is the inappropriate place in the country's planning system.

To solve this problem, the country's development model must first be determined, which unfortunately is still unclear and there is no agreement between officials and elites.

At present, the key to the country's development is not water, while a country with this climate and ecological conditions must be all water -based development.

Prioritizing the discovery of new water resources is one of the wrong measures taken.  This means that the community depends on the unknown and uncertain water resources.  This trend has continued over the past four decades.

The lack of coherent and efficient management for water resources and unnecessary and unscientific use in all sectors and failure to comply with the land preparation document.  The land preparation document has been formulated but not done.  If we were acting on this document, we wouldn't face such crises today.

Data on the country's water resources and uses are not clear, and any decision -making in this area is like moving in the dark.  This absence of this information leads to non -expert decisions and tastes.