Hydropolitical Assessment of the Western Basins in Iran:A Case Study on Zab, Sirvan, and Alvand

جغرافیاوتوسعه ناحیه ای

Article 6, Volume 8, Issue 1 - Serial Number 14, July 2010   

Document Type: scientific-research article

DOI: 10.22067/geography.v8i14.8999

Authors

Mohammad Nami^* ; Ali Mohammadpour

Abstract

Due to increasing consumption of water, mismanagement of water resources, increase in the world’s population, expansion of urban life, and reduction of water resources in most of the regions of the world, experts believe that water and water resources will be considered as one of the basic challenges in human life in future. Iran is geographically located in the arid belt of the earth. However, due to its topographic features, the country loses some 8 billion cubic meters of its water annually due to the flow of several of its rivers towards Iraq. Therefore, we are required to utilize this great natural wealth that is going out of the country annually. However, we should remember that using these resources would be associated with hydro-political consequences, both internally and externally. The first and the most important consequence will affect the relationship between Iran and Iraq. Due to geopolitical issues, the relationship between these two countries has been turbulent during recent decades. Nevertheless, it seems that the Iran-Iraq relationship can be affected by the issue of water. Due to Turkey’s activities in the basin of Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, Iraq is currently faced with problems. Therefore, it is possible that Iraqis react to Iranian water transfer projects in basins of the Little Zab, Alvand, and Sirvan and resort to deterrent initiatives. At the same time, these basins are mostly located in Kurdish regions which are mostly populated by Sunnis and any activity in these basins can provoke Kurds in the region. Through taking advantage of descriptive-analytic methodology, the present research focuses on the hydro-political assessment of these basins and their political consequences. At the same time, the present research endeavors to present proper approaches for reducing political and social costs of the implementation of these projects.

Key words: Iran; Iraq; Hydro-politics; Water crisis; West of Iran; Kurds; Zab, Sirvan, and Alvand basins