Kabul, Tehran agree to restore Hamun Lake

KABUL (Pajhwok): Kabul and Tehran are working together on a joint strategic plan to rehabilitate the Hamun Lake in southeastern Iran, a media report said on Wednesday.

An official of the Iranian Department of Environment was quoted as saying officials from the neighbouring countries had decided to work out a joint plan for reviving the lake.

Arezoo Ashrafizadeh told ISNA: “To this end, Iran and Afghanistan have established joint committees to prepare the grounds for cooperation in this field..."

With representatives from both sides, committees on water, science, training, economy, rgriculture and security have been established.

She added: “So far, the committees have held several meetings inside Iran attended by representatives from Afghanistan.”

The rehabilitation of Hamun Lake is impossible in the absence of cooperation between the neighbours, admitted the official

At the committee-level meeting, Ashrafizadeh said: “Fortunately, Afghanistan has announced its agreement to work with Iran to restore the lake.”

“We hope the two sides go ahead with the joint project smoothly and the project ends up in the interest of the region,” she concluded.

Helmand River, originating in Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush mountains, is the main source of feeding Hamun Lake.

PAN Monitor/mud