The missed factor? Water in Afghanistan
Quote:
Originally Posted by
davidbfpo
Steve,
Welcome and your knowledge should help as the current focus in helmand is a thin strip of irrigated land along the Helmand River. Ironically the irrigation was installed by the USA in the Cold War era.
Incidentally I am puzzled why the UK and I assume the USMC are fighting through the "Green Zone", some compare it to the Normandy bocage. Why are we not outflanking the Taliban from the desert alongside?
Now back to my armchair faraway.
davidfpo
David,
It would be interesting to be able to go back in time and discuss things with George Curzon for perspective and understanding.
With respect to sustainable low tech irrigation in Helmand the water masters (mirab bashi) and their surface water systems as well as that groundwater system marvel the karez have been around for a while, and it appears that the Persians (among others) have provided some of the long term irrigation advice which predates us Americans and the Helmand-Arghandab Valley Authority. Kajaki Dam has an interesting history as well and the British have played a significant role in it of late.
The deserts of Iraq were not too bad for about 8 months of the year provided that one could get water. Helicopter flights reinforced my train ride observations however that the bulk of inhabitants clustered along the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. A Google Earth examination of the Helmand River shows the same type of behavior. If one accepts that population-centric operations are the way to go, then we, the locals, local Taliban, and Taliban commutersare going to be spending some quality time along the river.
Well, like you it's back to my faraway armchair...for a read and perhaps a nap ;)
The missed factor? Water in Afghanistan
If we accept that an indirect approach focuses upon the needs of the local populace the question arises; Could this seasons kinetic operations (Khanjar, Pancai Palang, and Foladi Jal) along Khanishin, Gamser, Nawa, Lashkar Gah, Marja, and Nad Ali substantially disrupt this seasons non-kinetic irrigation and harvest operations organized and conducted by various Afghani’s in these same areas?
An armchair view of Afghanistan seems to indicate that irrigation system maintenance occurs from approximately February to April and that irrigation season runs from approximately May to October depending upon location along the river. The AREU report: How the Water Flows: A Typology of Irrigation Systems in Afghanistan provides eight recommendations for surface water irrigation system work on page 40 (pdf numbering) and six recommendations for ground water irrigation system work on page 55 (pdf numbering). Discussions with resident Afghani experts in Khanishin, Gamser, Nawa, Lashkar Gah, Marja, and Nad Ali might serve to calibrate an understanding of how the Afghan Government can support this season’s and next season’s non-kinetic irrigation and harvest operations.
The missed factor? Water in Afghanistan
A Time magazine piece 'What Iran and Pakistan Want from the Afghans: Water':http://world.time.com/2012/12/02/wha...afghans-water/
Quote:
Water is a critical issue in Afghanistan — and for countries like Iran and Pakistan that are dependent on four of the five river basins that flow out of Afghanistan to irrigate their territories. Meanwhile, though the Afghans currently have enough water for their own needs, any perception of abundance is illusory, experts say. Indeed, the availability of water per capita is expected to decline by 50% in the next three decades, according to a U.N.-funded report. Afghanistan’s extremely weak infrastructure and one of the lowest water-storage capacities in the world means that large parts of the country cannot make use of their own water resources.
Who needs neighbours?
Quote:
It is true, however, that Pakistan’s energy crisis has furthered its dependence on Afghan water. Iran, the only country that Afghanistan has a water treaty with, is now taking up to 70% more water than agreed to, according to officials, and has built infrastructure on the incoming water without Afghanistan’s consent. If Afghanistan tries to build major dams to hold more of its own water, both Pakistan and Iran are likely to object and to hold up the projects.
I know we have a threads on agriculture, road-building and more, but not water IIRC.
Impact of USAID's $580 Million Afghan Water Sector Programs Unclear
Impact of USAID's $580 Million Afghan Water Sector Programs Unclear
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