Tehran – Integrated watershed management is essential to tackling desertification and water scarcity in Iran, according to Hassan Vahid, Deputy for Watershed Management, Rangelands and Desert Affairs at the Natural Resources and Watershed Management Organization.

 

Vahid said poor water management, including inadequate environmental water flows to wetlands, floodplains, and lakes, has accelerated vegetation loss and the expansion of dust storm hotspots. He noted that more than 900,000 hectares of Iran's dust-prone areas are located around dried-up wetlands such as Hamoun and Jazmourian.

 

He added that upstream dam construction without sufficient downstream environmental flows has worsened dust storms in provinces including Khuzestan.

 

Vahid emphasized that protecting water resources requires integrated management of watersheds, including soil, vegetation, and natural resources, adding that a proposed Watershed Management Bill is awaiting final government approval.