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Helmand River "Dispute btw Iran and Afgha
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DocStaph View Drop Down
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Posts: 112 		  Quote DocStaph Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Helmand River "Dispute btw Iran and Afgha
    Posted: 09-Sep-2006 at 18:17

Helmand River

 
Iran and Afghanistan have been involved in a long-running dispute over access to the  Helmand River, which originates in mountains northwest of Kabul and flows some 1,000 kilometers before reaching Iran. Its waters are essential for farmers in Afghanistan, but it feeds into Lake Hamun and is also important to farmers in Iran's southeastern Sistan va Baluchistan Province.
 
Also spelled HELMUND, or HILMAND, Persian DARYA-YE HELMAND, Latin ERYMANDRUS, river in southwestern Afghanistan and eastern Iran, about 715 miles (1,150 km) long. Rising in the Baba Range in east-central Afghanistan, it flows southwestward across more than half the length of Afghanistan before flowing northward for a short distance through Iranian territory and emptying into the Helmand (Sistan) swamps on the Afghan-Iranian border. It receives several tributaries, including the Arghandab and Tarnak, and drains more than 100,000 square miles (160,000 square km).

The Helmand is one of Afghanistan's most important rivers and has been extensively developed under the Helmand Valley Authority. A reservoir has been built at Kajaki, 50 miles (80 km) above Gereshk, for irrigation and flood control, and just above the same town a dam diverts water to a canal. Below the reservoir much of the river's length is tapped for irrigation, and a fertile, populous belt follows its course. A long-standing dispute between Afghanistan and Iran has centred on Iran's claim to a portion of the Helmand's waters.

The river remains relatively salt-free for much of its length, unlike most rivers with no outlet to the sea. This river is used extensively for irrigation, although a buildup of mineral salts has decreased its usefulness in watering crops. Its waters are essential for farmers in Afghanistan, but it feeds into Lake Hamun and is also important to farmers in Iran's southeastern sistan and Baluchistan province.
 
The ancient overland route from the lower  Indus River followed this river passing by Kandhar to southern Persia.

The Helmand's ancient irrigation and river-control system was destroyed by Genghis Khan (13th cent.) and  Timur (14th cent.); the modern irrigation works are vital to both Iranians and Afghans, and in times of drought there are disputes over water rights. The Helmand Valley Authority extensively developed the region, improving irrigation and flood control. 

What will happen if the water supply was cut off to the Iranian farming system? Endless dispute.
 
 


Edited by DocStaph - 09-Sep-2006 at 18:24
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Ave1 View Drop Down
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Posts: 99 		  Quote Ave1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09-Sep-2006 at 18:46
The author of this article draws conclusions based on unsupportive facts.  Namely, from the onset of the article and the title of this thread.   That there is allegedly a "dispute" between Iran and Afghanistan  that involves the Helmand River.

Afghanistan shares rivers with Iran and Pakistan along with its other neighbors.  While there may be quibbles about usages of rivers in the past, there is no evidence to support that  the water supply to Iran will be cut-off.  It should be noted that Helmand is sparsely populated for there to be grounds of any sizeable economic strain on Afghanistan. In fact, Afghanistan, as dry and eroded as it sadly is, continues to allow the flow of its rivers to Pakistan.   These rivers, located near Kabul and Jalalabad, are by far, more vital to Afghanistan's economy and well-being than a river located in remote Helmand.  Hence, it would defy logic to purport a circumstance where Afghanistan and Iran would be engaged in a "ENDLESS" dispute over a river where there isn't any grounds for it. 

Furthermore, for Afghanistan to deny access Iran its rivers would be tantamount to self-inflicted injury since Afghanistan trades with Iran tremendously and its economy, notably in Herat is extensively intertwined with Iran's.

Moreover, Iran and Afghanistan recently hosted an economic summit in Kabul a few months ago.  This so-called alleged "ENDLESS" dispute wasn't even mentioned at ALL.  







Edited by Ave1 - 10-Sep-2006 at 01:55
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Zagros View Drop Down
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Posts: 8796 		  Quote Zagros Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09-Sep-2006 at 20:37

There are agencies employed specifically by certain foreign powers to foment conflict in various regions of the world and this appears to be yet another case.
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Posts: 1088 		  Quote Afghanan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10-Sep-2006 at 14:49
During the Taliban era, the Taliban almost completely stopped flow on the Helmand to Iran and subsequently destroyed a Marshland ecosystem that exists between Afghanistan and Iran.  It devestated bird flocks, and made it hard for nomads to find water in the summer.
 
This was in response to Iran's interference in Afghanistan during those days.  Water will always be a contentious issue.  My father worked on the Argandhab Rivery Valley project in the 70s alongside USAID, and they worked to preserve the delicate eco system while striving to re irrigate all the lands destroyed by Genghis Khan.
 
The project was being funded by not only the US, but by Russia, and it was a unique time to see both US and Russians sitting together drinking tea in Afghanistan during the cold war. 
 
Lashkargah, the capital of Helmand province was one of the most modern cities in Afghanistan having a public water and sewer system, modern Western style suburbs, and a brand new state of the art Hospital, educational systems.  Some people called the region "Little America.  It was a great time, and if time allows, I will transfer some of the slides my father has so you can see how beautiful it was during those days.
 
When the Russians invaded, most of the plans were scrapped and today instead of growing alfalfa, Squash, grapes, melons, and soybeans, they grow instead poppy.  Most of the suburbs were bombed by the Russians, and the rest looted during the Civil war.
 
 
The perceptive man is he who knows about himself, for in self-knowledge and insight lays knowledge of the holiest.
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Posts: 112 		  Quote DocStaph Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17-Sep-2006 at 11:24
Originally posted by Afghanan

During the Taliban era, the Taliban almost completely stopped flow on the Helmand to Iran and subsequently destroyed a Marshland ecosystem that exists between Afghanistan and Iran.  It devestated bird flocks, and made it hard for nomads to find water in the summer. 
 
How did they manage to stop the flow!
 
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maqsad View Drop Down
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Posts: 928 		  Quote maqsad Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17-Sep-2006 at 20:34
Originally posted by DocStaph

 
How did they manage to stop the flow!
 


Irrigation. Their headquarters was Qandahar and Iran certainly was not paying them for the water.  Makes sense now?
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Posts: 106 		  Quote shayan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21-Sep-2006 at 13:10
Iran wanted to go to war with the Taliban for there actions,,, IMO they should have went and burned down the opium farms and got Herat and Farah (western province of Afganistan) back under Iranian rule... Then again that my opinion disagree with it but do respect it....
Iran parast
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Posts: 112 		  Quote DocStaph Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21-Sep-2006 at 16:49
Originally posted by shayan

Iran wanted to go to war with the Taliban for there actions,,, IMO they should have went and burned down the opium farms and got Herat and Farah (western province of Afganistan) back under Iranian rule... Then again that my opinion disagree with it but do respect it....
 
 
Ahh that would have been nice! I highly doubt they would have lasted running the same path they had lurked out of. LOL oh Dear!
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