Clashes Over Water Transfer Plan in Yasouj; 15 Protest Representatives Arrested

ILNA reported that following a protest by 200 residents of the village of 'Mahrian' in Yasouj against a water transfer plan from their village, clashes occurred with water and wastewater officials, leading to the arrest of 15 representatives of the protesters after they attended the governor's office. Mansour Norouzi, the head of the Islamic Council of the 'Mahrian' village, stated in an interview that on Tuesday, June 8, officials from the Yasouj Water and Wastewater Company began installing pipes to transfer water from the village's river. According to Norouzi, 200 villagers gathered in front of the Yasouj governor's office in protest, with 15 representatives attending the office. He reported that these 15 individuals were arrested after a period of time at the governor's office. Norouzi did not mention the reasons for their arrest. However, Ghodnfar Ramazani, another council member from the village, reported clashes between residents and water officials. He mentioned that during these clashes, Safiollah Ahmadi, a city council member, was 'beaten' and is currently hospitalized in Yasouj's emergency room. Meanwhile, Qasem Gholandari, the director of Yasouj Water and Wastewater, threatened that if individuals attempt to prevent the execution of this project, 'they will be dealt with according to the law.' Gholandari stated that the water transfer project from this river is being implemented based on government travel resolutions to the Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province to provide drinking water for 30,000 residents of nearby areas. While the head of the 'Mahrian' village council believes the water transfer project will destroy agricultural lands and orchards in the village, the Yasouj water director argues that if this project is not executed, the provision of drinking water for these areas will face difficulties, and 'we will have to endure a tough summer.' In recent years, water transfer projects between cities and provinces in Iran have led to protests. Thousands of people from cities in the Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province have protested against the Zayandeh Rud water transfer projects multiple times. Protests by citizens of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari against water transfer projects to Isfahan occurred while farmers in eastern Isfahan have also protested multiple times in recent months for not receiving their 'water rights.' Isfahani farmers are also protesting the transfer of Zayandeh Rud water to Yazd. Previously, Gary Lewis, the UN resident coordinator in Iran, told Reuters that water scarcity has now become the main human security challenge in Iran. In this context, some analysts use the term 'water war' to describe potential future disputes over water in Iran or between countries, with some going so far as to predict that a possible future world war will be fought over water. In addition to drought, mismanagement and improper use of existing water resources have led to the drying up of many vital lakes, rivers, and wetlands in Iran in recent years.