Government agrees to transfer Caspian water to Semnan province, Rouhani's hometown
The representative of Semnan announced the government's agreement to transfer Caspian Sea water to Semnan. Representatives of the northern provinces of Gilan, Mazandaran, and Golestan Vali opposed the transfer of Caspian water to the "province of the president's birthplace," calling it "irresponsible."
Ahmad Hemmati, a representative from Semnan, said in an interview with Fars News Agency on Thursday (January 27), December 27, that a plan to transfer Caspian water is to be implemented to solve the problem of water shortage in Semnan province.
In this regard, the Semnan representative announced that the Hassan Rouhani government has agreed to transfer Caspian water to Semnan. He added: "The Ministry of Energy has agreed to transfer this water and the administrative discussion has been completed, such that the 215th environmental permit has been received in this regard and the budget line for the implementation of this work has also been allocated."
Regarding the financing of this project, Hemmati also suggested that it be paid through the sale of water, which is considered a debt. The Semnan representative also announced that talks have been held with companies in this regard.
Rouhani insists on transferring Caspian water to Semnan
Hassan Rouhani had previously promised the people of Semnan, during his visit to the province, that Caspian water would be transferred to Semnan and that "the government would support companies that participate in this national project."
The transfer of Caspian water to the central plateau of Iran was particularly prominent during the era of former Iranian President Ahmadinejad, and the plan had become his “strategic project.” Ahmadinejad traveled to Mazandaran Province in 2012 to inaugurate the plan. However, criticism from environmental experts and activists and opposition from a section of the government, including the country’s Environmental Organization, prevented the plan from being implemented.
It has been six years since the inauguration of this project. However, the worsening water crisis, especially in Semnan province, the birthplace of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, has once again made officials think about this project. Some members of parliament, including representatives from the northern provinces of the country such as Gilan, Mazandaran, and Golestan, have strongly opposed “transferring Caspian water to the president’s hometown.”
In an interview with ISNA, Valiollah Nanavakenari criticized the government's performance in "paying special attention to Semnan," saying that the provinces of Sistan and Baluchestan, Khuzestan, Isfahan, and Yazd are in much more severe conditions than Semnan in terms of water problems. He emphasized that "the president does not belong to a specific province or his hometown," adding: "The government should look at all provinces of the country fairly, considering the phenomenon of drought and water shortage, and find solutions in this regard and avoid a discriminatory perspective."
The MP warned that if the plan to transfer Caspian water to Semnan is implemented, the Caspian Sea will suffer the fate of Lake Urmia and will cause irreparable environmental problems for the northern provinces.
Source: DW
