IWM Projects to Revive Qanats

According to FRWO’s website Khalil Aghaee, Deputy Minister and Head of Forests, Range and Watershed Management Organization (FRWO) opened 88 IWM projects including biological, biomechanical and mechanical operations in Chaharmahal & Bakhtiari province.

In this ceremony, Ali Mohammadi, Director General of Chaharmahal & Bakhtiari Natural Resources and Watershed Management Department (NRWD), referring to the newly opened IWM projects said that fourteen projects have come into operation with a budget worth 70 billion RLs allocated from the National Development Fund and the remaining 74 projects are launched in the province with a budget worth 310 billion RLs from National Development Fund.

According to this report, after the ceremony, Mr. Aghaee visited the Chaharmahal & Bakhtiari IWM Projects and discussed with local people about the implementation of the projects.

Aghaee on the sidelines of the visit to Dastena IWM Project said: “Based on people’s quotes, the Qantas in the region had been dried up for several decades; however after the implementation of IWM projects, Qantas have been revived.”

Head of FRWO noted that “the budget allocated from National Development Fund by the supreme leader in the last two years, and the support of the Government in this regard has given a new life to natural resources”. He also added that IWM projects have proved their effectiveness in reviving rural areas, recharge of water tables and flood control, and hoped that these projects will continue in the coming years.

Ali Kazemi Babahidari, representative of the people of Ardel, Farsan, Kiar and Koohrang in the Islamic Consultative Assembly also pointed out the special attention of the Government and the Parliament on watershed issues in the country. He also said that the implementation of IWM projects in the province has had positive impacts on recharge of water tables and flood control.  

He further called for expansion of activities and the implementation of IWM projects in Chaharmahal & Bakhtiari province and his constituency and expressed hope that the expansion of IWM projects would help save Zagros forests.