Work

The Significance of the Harirud River Basin: Sustainable Development Climate Change and Unilateral Action

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This paper examines the Harirud (Harirod, Tejen) River Basin, a vital transboundary water source shared by Afghanistan, Iran, and Turkmenistan. The basin supports farming, energy production, and home supply in a dry area. Despite its ecological, socio-economic, and geopolitical importance, the basin lacks a cooperative governance framework, leaving it vulnerable to unilateral development, institutional weakness, and climate stress. Addressing an important research gap, this study investigates how unilateral water infrastructure and climate change jointly reshape water security and governance between Afghanistan and Iran. A qualitative case study approach integrates insights from hydropolitics, benefit sharing, and environmental security to analyse ecological and political dynamics. Findings show that climate change has disrupted hydrological regimes—average temperatures have increased by about 1.7 °C and rainfall has declined by roughly 150 mm since 1980. Unilateral dam constructions have altered seasonal flows and intensified hydro-political tensions. The study concludes that implementing Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), joint hydrological monitoring, climate adaptation, and equitable benefit-sharing can transform the Harirud from a contested river into a foundation for regional stability and sustainable development.

Source: Geosciences

DOI: 10.3390/geosciences15120459

Authors: Mujib Azizi, Jorge Leandro

Institution: University of Siegen

Language: English

Topic: Transboundary Water Resource Management

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Clean water and sanitation, Climate action, Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Partnerships for the goals

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,172