A number of coffin-clad farmers in Isfahan gathered in front of the Isfahan governor's office on Saturday, November 18, to protest the unmet demands regarding their water rights and the halt of the Ben-Boroujen water supply project. The protesting farmers had also marched and gathered in Isfahan on Thursday, November 16. Some of the coffins carried by the protesting farmers displayed demands to prevent the inauguration of the water transfer project from the Zayandeh Rud basin to the Karun basin, known as the Ben-Boroujen project. This project, aimed at 'supplying drinking water and industry to the Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province,' began in 2014 and is expected to be inaugurated soon by Ebrahim Raisi, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Critics of this water supply project argue that no new withdrawals should be made from the Zayandeh Rud basin until water rights are clarified and excess allocations are compensated. Farmers in Isfahan province have repeatedly protested in recent years over issues related to securing water rights from the Zayandeh Rud for autumn cultivation and the permanent revival and flow of this river. These protests have sometimes been met with force from government forces. The head of the Zayandeh Rud watershed recently referred to '20 years of neglected work' regarding the problems of this river, describing current water resources as 'limited' and the region's cultivation pattern as 'disrupted.' Alireza Almasvandi acknowledged the imbalance in water distribution, stating, 'In the Zayandeh Rud watershed, we have 100% supply upstream and 20% downstream.' Previously, a member of the Isfahan Farmers' Union had described the 'mismanagement' of officials in water distribution as a barrier to cultivation and income for farmers, warning of consequences such as increased unemployment and migration. Mohsen Mir Miran emphasized in a conversation with ILNA news agency last February that the destruction of agricultural lands would lead to environmental degradation and the expansion of deserts.
Coffin-Clad Farmers in Isfahan Protest Again
Coffin-clad farmers in Isfahan protested against unmet water rights and the Ben-Boroujen water supply project. This ongoing issue highlights the struggles of farmers in securing water for agriculture, which has significant implications for local livelihoods and environmental sustainability.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Farmers in Isfahan protested against the Ben-Boroujen water supply project, demanding their water rights be met. They carried coffins symbolizing the death of their livelihoods due to water mismanagement.
- The protest took place in front of the Isfahan governor's office.
- Farmers oppose the water transfer from the Zayandeh Rud basin to the Karun basin.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Iran faces chronic water shortages and mismanagement issues, exacerbated by climate change and population growth, affecting agriculture and livelihoods.
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Translation confidence: 90%