What is Behind the Drying of Salehiyeh Wetland, Even in Winter?

The Salehiyeh Wetland, once a vital ecological zone, is now facing severe water shortages even during the winter season—a time when the wetland would typically experience some level of rejuvenation. The situation has become dire, as the wetland is a major source of dust storms affecting Alborz, Qazvin, and Tehran provinces. Despite nationwide air pollution concerns, the drying of this wetland exacerbates the environmental crisis.

Depletion of Water Sources

Currently, the primary water sources for the Salehiyeh Wetland include the Kordan River, seasonal floods, and runoff. Historically, however, additional rivers like Ziaran, Abhar, and Khorr contributed to its water supply. Over time, excessive agricultural water usage and persistent droughts have placed unsustainable pressure on the wetland. The lack of allocated water rights for Salehiyeh is now recognized as one of the critical threats. Compounding this issue, a 40-kilometer drainage system constructed by the Qazvin Agriculture Organization in the mid-2000s has redirected water away from the wetland, severing the hydrological connection between its northern and southern sections and causing complete desiccation in the southern area.

Widespread Impact of Unregulated Development

The challenges facing Salehiyeh Wetland mirror those of numerous other wetlands across Iran. Ill-advised infrastructure projects, such as the construction of deep drainage systems for agricultural expansion, have led to the destruction and land-use conversion of wetlands like Kamjan in Fars Province, Goori Belmak, Bisheh Dalan in Lorestan, and Yadegarloo in West Azerbaijan. These projects have often lacked comprehensive environmental impact assessments, leading to devastating consequences for local ecosystems and communities.

A Glimmer of Hope: Kamjan Wetland Revival

One remarkable success story is the partial revival of Kamjan Wetland in Fars Province. In 2008, local residents initiated a grassroots movement to block drainage systems and redirect water toward the wetland, achieving a measure of restoration. Despite ongoing droughts and minimal support from authorities, the people of Kamjan have persevered in sustaining their wetland. This example of community-driven conservation offers valuable lessons for replicating similar efforts in other degraded wetlands.

Questions to Address

Key questions remain:

• To what extent have authorities utilized the Kamjan experience to revive other wetlands?
• Are there comprehensive lists and strategies for wetlands impacted by drainage systems and land-use changes?
• Can the grassroots approach seen in Kamjan be applied sustainably to wetlands with similar scales and socio-economic contexts?

While such efforts may not be feasible for large, complex ecosystems like Lake Urmia or Gavkhouni, the Kamjan model demonstrates that locally-led initiatives, supported by government facilitation and technical oversight, can yield meaningful results for smaller wetlands.

A concerted effort to replicate and scale community-driven wetland restoration, backed by government and local collaboration, holds the key to reversing the decline of Iran’s vital wetlands.