By: Sayedeh Zahra Qureshi
15 minutes Reading

 
What you will read in this report

*Introduction
*Introduction to the Bakhshabad Dam
*The value of the Hamoun wetlands in Sistan
*Responsibility for securing water rights for Hamoun
*Policy recommendations
 

Introduction
Humans' strong desire for development and their efforts to control and harness common resources with the aim of gaining power and securing political interests, as well as the integration of environmental issues with the history and national identity of societies, have led to the excessive use of natural resources, especially shared resources. Some argue that nature itself has a legal personality and has the right to act. This right, however, must be ensured in balance with social and economic interests. it is also necessary that the rights of the environment be pursued by legal entities. Currently, unfortunately, the Hamoun wetlands are victims of human development greed, and are on the brink of destruction.

The Hamoun wetlands are international shared wetlands between Iran and Afghanistan, parts of which are located in Iran and are registered under the Ramsar Convention of 1971. In 2016, they were also recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
The failure to provide the environmental water needs of the Hamoun wetlands has caused very serious problems, and it has also posed significant threats and damages to human security (as well as economic-social security) in the region. The reduction in the flow of the Helmand River water has also played a role in the environmental migrations from Sistan and the depopulation of this area. Thus, the economic, political, and environmental consequences of the reduced flow of the Helmand River water have been a factor in creating social changes in the Sistan region. Accordingly, addressing the issue of securing the environmental needs of the Hamoun wetlands is of utmost importance.

Evidence suggests that the completion of the Bakhshabad Dam on the Farah River, one of the main tributaries of the transboundary Helmand River shared between Iran and Afghanistan, has been a priority for Afghan authorities over various periods, especially under the Taliban regime. The Bakhshabad Dam’s reservoir capacity is 1.36 billion cubic meters (26 times larger than the Kamal Khan Dam), which could control 98% of the average annual flow of the Farah River, one of the primary sources for meeting the environmental needs of the Hamoun wetlands. This would mean the destruction of the Hamoun wetlands, and is the final blow to the already-depleted wetlands. Therefore, examining this dam and its environmental consequences, particularly for the Hamoun wetlands, is of great significance.
 
Introduction to the Bakhshabad Dam
The history of the Bakhshabad Dam project began in 1976 when economic studies were initiated by the French company Sorg. Technical feasibility studies for the dam were conducted by an Indian company in 2008. In 2012, a comprehensive design contract was signed with the Pakistani company Nespak, but this collaboration was later canceled. Finally, in June 2016, a contract for the comprehensive design of the Bakhshabad Dam, worth $4.5 million (funded by the Afghan government), was signed with the Italian company Hydroarc.

In July 2022, Abdul Latif Mansoor, Acting Minister of Water and Energy of the Islamic Emirate, announced that the Ministry would pay $600,000 to the Kasa company, with further funding to be provided as the project progresses. In May 2023, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Deputy Prime Minister, emphasized at the inauguration of the Bakhshabad Dam tunnels that they would "use all available resources to complete the remaining works on this dam."

In February 2024, the Economic Department of the Taliban's Prime Minister’s Office confirmed various projects worth 8 billion Afghanis, including the completion of the remaining sections of the Bakhshabad and Kamal Khan Dams on the Iranian border and the Hamoun wetlands. In september 2023, Qatar allocated $500,000 to assist with the completion of the Bakhshabad Dam structures. What is clear is that the Bakhshabad Dam, like other water control structures shared with Iran, such as the Kamal Khan Dam (supported by Turkey) and the Salma Dam (supported by India), has become a playground for various countries seeking political influence in Afghanistan.

The Bakhshabad Dam, located in northeastern Farah Province (Bala Buluk district), is 81 meters high and, once completed, will generate between 27 to 32 megawatts of electricity. Specifically, the primary goal of constructing the Bakhshabad Dam has been declared as agriculture and horticulture. The dam is expected to irrigate about 180,000 hectares of land, with the potential to triple agricultural production in Farah Province. For this purpose, two water transmission canals, named the Northern Canal (with a capacity of 25.92 cubic meters per second) and the Southern Canal (with a capacity of 25.20 cubic meters per second), were constructed in 2017. Currently, the main crops grown in the province are wheat and, in the past, opium poppy.
Current electricity consumption in Farah Province is 2 megawatts, while after the completion of the Bakhshabad Dam, it is expected to produce 27 to 32 megawatts. Another key objective of the Bakhshabad Dam is to create an industrial zone from the Bala Buluk dustrict to the Bakhwa plain in Afghanistan.
 

Studies show that the consequences of the operation of the Bakhshabad Dam in Afghanistan may be at least as significant as, if not more so than, those of the Kamal Khan Dam. The Bakhshabad Dam has the potential to control 98% of the average annual flow of the Farah River. Controlling the flow of the Farah River means the inevitable death of the Hamoun wetlands, and consequently, the destruction of Sistan.

In the next section of this report, the value of the Hamoun wetlands, which are under serious threat from the Bakhshabad Dam, is outlined for the eastern region of Iran.

 
The Values of Hamoun wetlands in Sistan
Sistan is the name of a vast land located in the southeastern part of the Iranian Plateau, most of which today lies in Nimruz Province within Afghanistan. The Sistan plain is the result of a series of deltas formed over thousands of years due to changes in the bed and course of the Helmand River. Approximately 96% of Sistan's water needs in the downstream of the Helmand River basin are dependent on water flowing from Afghanistan, making Sistan in Iran heavily reliant on the Helmand River.

The soil in the Iranian part of Sistan is soft, loose, and sedimentary, largely composed of deposits from the Helmand River and shaped by its flooding. Natural forces such as wind and rain can easily displace it. In the past, Iranian Sistan was one of the most fertile lands of the Iranian plateau, and the Helmand River and Hamoun Lake were the most important factors in the emergence of ancient civilizations in the Sistan region.  
The international Hamoun wetlands are the destination of rivers from the Helmand River basin, including the Hamoun-e Helmand, Hamoun-e Saberi, and Hamoun-e Puzak. Hamoun-e Puzak is fed by the Paryan, Khash Rud, and Khospas rivers, with the largest area of the Hamoun-e Puzak Wetland located in Nimruz Province, Afghanistan. Hamoun-e Saberi lies to the northwest of the Sistan plain and is larger than Hamoun-e Puzak. It is fed by the Farah River, Harut River, as well as the overflow from Hamoun-e Puzak.

Hamoun-e Helmand is located in the western part of the Sistan plain and is nourished by the Sistan and Shor rivers, as well as by Hamoun-e Saberi. During flood seasons, depending on the slope direction of the wetlands, excess water from Hamoun-e Puzak flows into Hamoun-e Saberi, and the surplus from Hamoun-e Saberi flows into Hamoun-e Helmand, resulting in the wetlands being connected during high-water seasons. In intense floods, water from the southern end of Hamoun-e Helmand flows through the Shele River into a basin known as Godzareh in Afghanistan. The natural flow between the Hamouns and Godzareh helps prevent the wetlands from becoming saline.

Thus, the Helmand River, in its natural and historical course, has nourished the Puzak, Saberi, and Helmand Hamouns, and after that, with sufficient flow, it would naturally flow toward Godzareh. It is noteworthy that the opening of the Kamal Khan diversion dam in 2021 has disrupted the natural flow of the river and allowed Afghanistan to divert the entire flow of the Helmand River toward the Godzareh basin. This has prevented water from reaching the Hamouns, contrary to past practices and in violation of the natural and legal regime of the Helmand River.

The international Hamoun wetlands provide economic, social, spiritual, ecological, and vital values to the region and are a shared human heritage. The drying up of the wetlands and the resulting ecological changes have diminished their value. To better understand the problems caused by water scarcity in Sistan, we can point to the numerous values ​​lost in this region.

the economic value
according to 2006 estimates, the economic value of the Hamoun wetlands and their products was around 331 billion Iranian Rials. Economic activities dependent on Hamoun include: tourism and eco-tourism, agriculture, handicrafts (such as mat weaving), fishing, livestock, fodder supply, medicinal plant harvesting, and the development of water transportation routes.

The loss of the Hamoun wetlands has led to widespread poverty for the inhabitants of Sistan, reduced income, and the closure of businesses due to the encroachment of dust storms. One of the reasons some locals have turned to smuggling goods, fuel, and drugs is the reduction or loss of income from agriculture, horticulture, livestock, fishing, and hunting. Historians once referred to this region as the Granary of Iran and the Breadbasket of Khorasan due to its agricultural significance, which was made possible by the Hamouns and the water resources of the Hirmand basin. With the disappearance of the Hamouns, the economic value of this water body has been destroyed. Given that more than 50% of the population of Sistan and Baluchestan live in rural areas, their livelihoods depend on various agricultural, livestock, and fishing activities.

With the loss of the Hamoun wetlands and a decrease in regional water resources, about 94% of the working population in this province has turned to intermediary work, as they previously worked in agriculture. Unfortunately, with the destruction of the Hamoun wetlands, many have resorted to temporary jobs. The majority of people in the region rely on government subsidies and humanitarian aid.
 

It has also been observed that, due to the lack of water in the wetlands, soil theft from the wetland bed occurs. Moreover, with the drying up of the Sistan wetlands, the Sistan cow, which was famous throughout Iran, Afghanistan, and Central Asia for its abundant milk, large size, and strong build, has also disappeared.

The cattle-breeding tribes of Sistan, who primarily rely on cattle farming, used to live near the lakes and reed beds of Sistan. Unfortunately, at present, cattle trade has significantly decreased, and the number of cows has dwindled.
 

The security value
Regarding security value, it is worth noting that the Hamun wetlands have been a factor in increasing border communications and preventing physical insecurity in the region. The destruction of these wetlands has led to the migration of people from the region. It has created security repercussions for the eastern border areas of the country, as the border region is emptied of its inhabitants. In contrast, the presence of the Hamun wetlands previously prevented the migration of Sistan’s inhabitants.

The social value
The social value of the Hamun wetlands can be found in the many users of the wetland who once worked together in a spirit of cooperation and collaboration. The destruction of the Hamun wetlands has led to a shift toward government-only management of the wetlands, erasing the role of local oversight. Locals and elders feel that their knowledge and experience are not being utilized. The collapse of the Hamun wetlands has resulted in social anomalies due to the rise of temporary or fake jobs. For example, the research of Varyj Kazemi (2020) shows that the diversion of water from the country and preventing the entry of Helmand River water into Iran due to dam construction has facilitated centrifugal activities under the guise of ethnic demands, increasing the influence of cross-border separatist groups in the eastern regions of Iran.

The ecological and environmental values
Regarding ecological and environmental values, the Hamun wetlands have been vital in preserving genetic resources, maintaining biodiversity (fauna and flora), replenishing groundwater, providing drinking water for livestock, offering a wintering ground for migratory birds, and serving as a habitat for fish and other aquatic creatures. The wetlands also help stabilize the soil, prevent wildfires, reduce dust storms and particulate matter, absorb pollutants to improve air quality, and mitigate gastrointestinal, eye, and respiratory diseases. The destruction of the Hamun wetlands has caused severe environmental issues, leading to a rise in acute respiratory diseases and turning the wetlands into a crisis zone for wind erosion and dust storms. Sadly, these wetlands have now become a route for vehicles.

The international value
The Hamun wetlands are of international significance. Sections of the Hamun wetlands that lie within Iran are listed under the 1971 Ramsar Convention and were also recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2016. The drying up of the Hamun wetlands has drawn global attention, and these wetlands have become a focus of international organizations' activities.

For example, in 2006, a budget was provided by Partners for Water to conduct studies on integrated water resources management in Sistan. Furthermore, in 2020, the United Nations and the European Union allocated 10 million euros to support the restoration of the Hamun wetlands. Therefore, changes in the values of the Hamun wetlands have progressively had a lasting impact. These shifts in values could form the basis for the erosion of the region's identity and lead to social changes in the area.

The spiritual, religious and social values
 

Regarding the spiritual value of the Hamun wetlands, it is notable that these wetlands have religious and social significance. The vibrant Hamun wetlands have given identity to the people of Sistan, fostering emotional and social connections, calming the mind, bringing vitality and joy, and increasing hope and gratitude. They have also influenced the behavior and character of the local people. Apart from its role in shaping Iran's pre-Islamic religious history and its importance in ancient and mythological Iranian history, the Hamun wetlands continued to hold significant value during the Islamic period.

Unfortunately, with the destruction and drying up of the Hamun wetlands over the past few decades, the social structure of the Sistan region has faced exogenous social changes. The international Hamun wetlands have had economic, social, cultural, environmental, and vital value to the region, which has been altered by the development of technologies incompatible with the social context, as well as the control of water resources upstream in Afghanistan. The construction of the Bakhshabad Dam will also be a final shot at the lifeless body of Hamun.

 
Responsibility for securing water rights for Hamoun
The 1973 Helmand Treaty is the only legal framework for the allocation of water between Iran and Afghanistan, centered around the Helmand River. A key point of this treaty is that it only addresses the allocation of water from the Helmand River for the "agricultural needs" of the Sistan region, and does not clarify how water from other rivers in the Helmand River basin, such as the Farah River, should be divided. In other words, the treaty does not allocate any water rights for the environmental needs of the Hamoun wetlands, which have a capacity of about 4,378 million cubic meters. This issue remains unaddressed in the treaty currently in effect between Iran and Afghanistan.

Although, according to Article 161 of the 1951 Helmand Delta Commission ruling, the environmental needs of the Hamoun wetlands should be supplied by the flow from other rivers in the Helmand basin, such as the Farah River and Harut River. The interpretation of the 1951 Commission ruling shows that the construction of the Bakhshabad Dam on the Farah River (a vital source for the Hamoun wetlands) which prevents the environmental water rights for these wetlands, violates the agreement between the two countries.

The international Hamoun wetlands, as a shared human heritage, have inherent water rights over the water resources of the Helmand basin, according to customary international environmental law. The General Comment No. 15 of the United Nations Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights suggests that securing the environmental water rights of a wetland is considered a human right, and states sharing a wetland must ensure those rights and refrain from reducing or cutting off the necessary water.

Due to the effects of the drying Hamoun wetlands on the health and well-being of the residents in both the Iranian and Afghan parts of the Helmand basin, as well as the recognition of the right of individuals to a healthy environment, the Afghan government is obligate to allocate a minimum environmental flow to the Hamuns wetlands, in accordance with human rights principles (such as the right to health, the right to a decent standard of living, and the right to a healthy environment). These human rights obligations and environmental protection are universal commitments that the Afghan government must uphold not only toward the Iranian government but also towards its own citizens and future generations. Therefore, the delivery of 26 cubic meters per second of water from the Helmand River to Iran does not absolve the upstream country from its responsibility toward the downstream water needs of the Helmand basin. The protection of the Hamoun wetland, as a customary, international, and shared obligation, remains the responsibility of both countries. Consequently, Afghanistan, as the upstream country, must adhere to its customary duty regarding the water needs of the Hamoun wetlands.
 
Policy Recommendations
Since the water-sharing arrangement for the Farah River between Iran and Afghanistan is unclear, the construction and completion of the Bakhshabad Dam by various countries for Afghanistan is contrary to international principles. It is necessary for the Islamic Republic of Iran to formally protest to the countries (such as India, Pakistan, Italy, and recently Qatar) constructing the dam for Afghanistan on rivers where water-sharing agreements are undefined. The construction of a dam that controls the water flow and restricts water entry into Iran should result in political and social costs for the countries involved.
Iran and Afghanistan need to reach an agreement to secure sustainable water for the Hamoun wetlands. Given that Farah Province currently provides its electricity through diesel generators and solar panels, it is suggested that the export of electricity to this province be considered a priority.

The cost of providing electricity to Farah Province is extremely high—approximately eight times the cost of supplying electricity to Kabul and Herat. The Islamic Republic of Iran could gain Afghanistan's consent for the guaranteed water rights from the Farah River by proposing the development of electricity exports. This is crucial, as the destruction of the Hamoun wetlands would equate to the destruction of Sistan in eastern Iran, posing a serious threat to the security of Iran’s eastern border.