|
Surface Area
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174 515 000 ha
|
|
Cultivated Area
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18 770 000 ha
|
|
Cultivable Area %
|
10.8
|
|
Population
|
72 903 000
|
|
Average Annual Precipitation
|
228 mm/year
|
|
Average Annual Volume of Precipitation
|
379.9 billion m3/year
|
|
Renewable Surface Water
|
106.3 billion m3/year
|
|
Renewable Groundwater
|
49.3 billion m3/year
|
|
Total Renewable Water (natural)
|
155.6 billion m3/year
|
|
Total Renewable Water (actual)
|
155.6 billion m3/year
|
Iran covers a total area of about 1.75 million km2 and has a total population of 73 million in 2008. Cultivated area in Iran is about 18.8 million hectares and corresponds to 10.8 percent of total area of the country. Average annual precipitation is below 50 mm in deserts while 2 275 mm in the coast of Caspian Sea. Average rainfall volume is 376 km3/year of which an estimated 66 percent evaporates before reaching the rivers. (1)
Iran is divided into 6 main and 31 secondary catchment areas for water resource management purposes. The 6 major basins are: the Central Plateau in the centre (Markazi), the Lake Oroomieh basin in the northwest, the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman basin in the west and south, the Lake Hamoon basin in the east, the Kara-Kum basin in the northeast and the Caspian Sea basin in the North. Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman basin which only covers one fourth of the country contain almost half of the country’s renewable water resources. (2)
There are several rivers in Iran, but the only navigable one is the Karun River which flows into the Shatt al Arab. The few streams that empty into the Central Plateau dissipate into the saline marshes. All streams are seasonable and variable. There are floods in spring while there is little water flow in summer and most streams disappear. (3)
Dams play an important role in use, development, control and regulation of water resources in Iran. In 2006, 94 large dams for hydropower and flood control with a total capacity of 31.6 billion m3 were operating and 85 large dams with a capacity of 10 billion m3 were under construction. Besides, wastewater treatment plants and sea water desalination plants have a significant potential for the use of water resources. (4)
According to 2009 figures, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was US$ 331 billion and agriculture accounted for around 9 percent of GDP. Agriculture is mostly practiced on a small scale.
The total agricultural, municipal and industrial water withdrawal is estimated at about 93.3 billion m3, of which 40 billion m3 from surface water, 53.1 billion m3 from groundwater and 0.2 billion m3 desalinated water. Agriculture is the main water withdrawal sector, with 92.22 percent of total water withdrawal while municipal and industrial water withdrawal amount to 6.6 percent and 1.2 percent respectively. (5)
Prior to the Taliban regime in Afghanistan there was an agreed flow of 27 m3/s of the Helmand River entering Iran. However during the Taliban regime in Afghanistan (1995–2001), this agreement ceased completely and this caused economic and environmental problems in the provinces of Sistan and Baluchistan. (6)
Three ministries are directly responsible for development and assessment of water resources: The Ministry of Energy (MOE) is responsible for energy supplies and water resources. Within the MOE, the Water Affairs Department (WAD) is responsible for the planning, development, management, control and conservation of water resources. The WAD consists of the following sections: Water Resources Management Company, Provincial Water Authorities, Irrigation and Drainage Operation and Maintenance Companies. The Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) is responsible for subsurface drains, tertiary and quaternary canals as well as farm development and irrigation techniques. The Ministry of Jihad-e-Sazandagi (The Ministry of Reconstruction) deals with watershed management and rural development. On the other hand, Iran Department of the Environment (DOE) is responsible for the preparation of the environmental protection policy and the laws. The provision of water has been the responsibility of the government while the private sector invests in well drilling after which it is operated and managed by farmers. In recent years, there has been a large increase in private sector financing of irrigation and drainage systems in Iran. (7)
According to national law all water bodies (rivers, lakes, seas, etc.) are public property and the government is responsible for their management. The first water law in Iran was approved in in 1982, after the Islamic Revolution in 1979. According to this law, allocating and issuing permits to use the water for domestic, agricultural and industrial purposes is the responsibility of the Ministry of Energy. The Ministry of Agriculture is appointed to distribute water for agriculture among farmers and collect the water fees. Water and wastewater companies are responsible for the distribution of water for domestic use in urban and rural areas and for collecting fees. (8)
References
(2) FAO, Irrigation in the Middle East region in figures;
Aquastat Survey-2008, FAO Water Reports 24, Roma, 2008, p.185.
(3) op.cit., p.188
(4) op.cit., p.189
(6) FAO, 2008, p.19.
(7) op.cit., p.195.
(8) op.cit.