INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
runoff control, new irrigation methods, and wastewater treatment.The average rainfall in the semi-arid country of Iran is 250 mm, which is
one-third of the world average
Parallel to this decrease, the increasing trend of temperature caused the increase in evaporation and decrease of precipitations and the
sharp drop in the level of underground water resources and its limitation.Due to the importance of underground water resources, this year
show that the downward trend of aquifers has caused an annual deficit of 4.4 billion cubic meters of water reservoirs
Nevertheless, water consumption increased and reached an annual figure of 98 billion cubic meters, nearly 90 percent of which is consumed by
the agricultural sector.According to the index standard of the United Nations Sustainable Development Commission, Iran is in a severe crisis
in terms of water resources.Long-term climate forecasts also show that Iran is on the path of long-term water tensions and its water
resources are rapidly decreasing.Experts consider the imbalance of underground water resources to be the cause of land subsidence, increase
in sand and dust storms, drying up of wetlands, swamps, etc., which can lead to water wars.The limitation of freshwater resources and their
strategic importance has now become a powerful tool for the countries that have the most water resources
Only 3 percent of the world's water resources are fresh.In Iran, a large amount of underground water has been harvested more than 136
Some 65 percent of drinking water in the country is supplied from underground water sources.The climate and environmental change summit held
by the United Nations (COP 26) in Glasgow, Scotland, is a sign of the super-challenge that has caused climate change.The warning of floods
as the second major global challenge after the population crisis was raised decades ago by experts, universities, and international
institutions, especially the United Nations.Last year, Iran passed the driest water year in the past 52 years
According to the country's Drought Monitoring Center, during this period, all provinces had less than normal rainfall and severe to very
severe drought prevailed in the country
According to the prediction of the water stress map index in 2040, Iran is the 13th country that faces water stress.In Iran, 90 percent of
water is used by the agricultural sector, 8 percent by households, and 2 percent by industries
In developed countries, this figure is 30 percent for the agricultural sector, 11 percent for households, and 59 percent for industries.Ways
to curb water stressManagement of resources and water consumption in the country is among the strategic and priority programs, especially in
In order to realize these plans, curb the drought, and protect the country's water resources, the Ministry of Energy cannot overcome the
The rescue and protection of water resources depend on the efforts and cooperation of all relevant ministries, organizations, and
institutions in the water and sewage industry.For example, the expansion of water-intensive industries such as steel, mineral water
production factories, and gardens, especially in areas with low water and low rainfall, should be prevented in any way possible.Mines and
mineral industries are other similar sectors that require policy-making and regulatory, executive, and legislative measures to revise
inappropriate patterns of water consumption and wastewater management.The water demand management strategy in the water industry should
replace the water supply management strategy
Demand management includes plans and decisions that delay investment in the construction of new water resources.Due to the lack of programs
for the sustainable supply of water in the southern coastal provinces, the development and establishment of the water desalination industry
freshwater supply projects from the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman is very small
The UAE with a daily capacity of about 10 million cubic meters and Saudi Arabia with a daily capacity of about 8 million cubic meters are in
first and second places, while Iran has a daily capacity of just 1.2 million cubic meters.Moreover, 90 percent of water consumption in the
agricultural sector should be reduced quickly by promoting pressurized irrigation and expanding the greenhouse cultivation model.Today, in
many countries, wastewater is treated and recycled
By conducting numerous types of research, the difference in the economic value and use of wastewater in various industries should be
determined to use wastewater in some sectors in order to ease water stress.In order to prevent soil erosion, reduce wastage and optimal
management of water and increase water reserves, those involved in water and agricultural industries and machinery should pay more attention
to watershed management, continuous dredging, and control of runoff water, expansion of new irrigation methods and dryland farming.One step
to water crisisSince ancient times, Iran has been constantly struggling with water shortage, which caused the creation of qanats, so that
people actually accepted that water is scarce in the country.But for several years, along with the industrial and agricultural development,
it seems that the available water resources have been used unbridled, and the result is being on the verge of a water crisis.In fact,
entering a water crisis is an index that is measured based on the amount of water available per cubic meter per person per year, according
to this index, if a country has more than 1,700 cubic meters of water per person per year, there is no problem with water resources.However,
if this amount goes below 1,000 cubic meters per person per year, we will enter a water crisis from water stress.The predictions of some
The lack of safe and sufficient water supply for drinking, hygiene, agriculture, animal husbandry, and electrical power is having a
coping mechanisms.Drought has so far incurred a loss of 28 trillion rials (about $107 million) to the environment, Hassan Akbari, deputy
head of natural environment and biodiversity of the Department of Environment, said in May.Unfortunately, over 70 percent of the country is
suffering from severe drought
The severity of the drought is devastating in areas such as the Zagros, which is both a source of water and natural habitats, he
lamented.Droughts may affect three-quarters of the world by 2050The United Nations has warned that droughts may affect over three-quarters
but increasingly so in developed nations too.The number and duration of droughts have increased by 29 percent since 2000, as compared to the
two previous decades (WMO 2021)
When more than 2.3 billion people already face water stress, this is a huge problem
More and more of us will be living in areas with extreme water shortages, including an estimated one in four children by 2040 (UNICEF)
No country is immune to drought (UN-Water 2021).FB/MGHIGHLIGHT: Last year, Iran passed the driest water year in the past 52 years.HIGHLIGHT:
Some 90 percent of water is used by the agricultural sector, 8 percent by households, and 2 percent by industries.
