The Hydropolitics of the Helmand (Hirmand) River and Its Impact on the Political and Cultural Relations between Afghanistan and Iran

Abstract

The Hirmand River is a life-giving river for the settlement centres in western Afghanistan, and part of this river constitutes a 30-kilometre section of the shared border between Afghanistan and Iran. The river is considered one of Afghanistan’s strategic resources. For the first time in over a decade, the Afghan state has sought to secure its population growth, development needs, and political-economic interests by utilising this river through the construction of dams, irrigation projects, and electricity generation facilities. However, the Iranian state perceives this issue as strategically important for its own interests and expresses concern over the inability to provide sustainable water resources, which may lead to the displacement of local populations and internal migration in the border regions. To find an appropriate solution to this problem, it is necessary to focus on technical, border-related, and ultimately political dimensions so that relations between the two countries remain stable and both parties can avoid negative consequences. Therefore, both countries must approach the problems with a shared understanding, and ultimately these joint efforts should result in a water management plan acceptable to both sides. This study addresses the issue through an analytical and descriptive method, drawing on reliable scientific and research sources.

Keywords

• Hydropolitics
• Hirmand
• conflict and cooperation
• Afghanistan
• Iran

Helmand (Hirmend) Nehri’nin Hidropolitikası ve Afganistan ile İran Arasındaki Siyasi ve Kültürel İlişkilerine Etkisi

Öz

Hirmend, Afganistan'ın batısındaki yerleşme merkezi için hayat veren bir nehirdir ve bu nehrin bir kısmı Afganistan ve İran arasındaki 30 kilometrelik ortak sınırı oluşturmaktadır. Bu nehir, Afganistan'ın stratejik kaynaklarından biri olarak kabul edilmektedir. On yıldan sonra ilk kez Afganistan devleti, nüfus artışı, kalkınma ihtiyacı ve siyasi-ekonomik çıkarlarını güvence altına almak için bu nehirden faydalanarak barajlar, sulama projeleri ve elektrik üretim tesisleri inşa etmiştir. Ancak İran devleti, bu konuyu kendi çıkarları açısından stratejik önemde görmektedir ve sınır bölgelerindeki halkın yerinden edilmesini ve iç göçleri önlemek amacıyla sürdürülebilir su kaynaklarının sağlanamamasından endişe duymaktadır. Bu soruna uygun bir çözüm bulunması için teknik, sınır ve nihayetinde siyasi boyutlara odaklanmak gerekmektedir, böylece iki ülkenin ilişkileri istikrarlı kalır ve her iki taraf için olumsuz sonuçlardan kaçınılır. Bu nedenle her iki ülke de sorunlara ortak bir anlayışla yaklaşmalı ve nihayetinde bu ortak çabalar, her iki tarafın da kabul edeceği bir su yönetim planı ile sonuçlanmalıdır. Bu çalışma, analitik ve betimsel bir yöntemle, güvenilir bilimsel ve araştırma kaynaklarından yararlanarak bu konuyu ele almaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Hidropolitik
• Hirmend
• Çatışma ve İş Birliği
• Afganistan
• İran

Kaynakça

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