Saveh official warns water shortage taking a toll on pastures

The head of the Saveh Department of Natural Resources and the Watershed says the rapid advance of desertification in the province is having a serious impact on pastureland.

In an interview with ISNA, Sohrab Pajnameh said “drought, the rapid disappearance of underground waters, the overexploitation of water resources and the unregulated use of pastureland is assisting the rapid desertification of the province.”

Many experts have pointed a finger at the overexploitation of water resources for unregulated agricultural activities in Iran as the chief cause of the growing water shortage across the country.

Pajnameh added that the growing desertification will lead to serious dust storm problems.

The Iranian Parliament’s research commission also reported last summer that drought has led to the desertification of two-thirds of the country.