Plummeting Underground Water In Bamyan Fuels Concerns

BAMYAN CITY (Pajhwok): Some residents in central Bamyan province have expressed concern over a significant decline in groundwater, saying drought and water shortages have hampered Agriculture and access to potable water.

Hassan Ali, a resident of Shahidan area, told Pajhwok Afghan News:“In the past two years, I haven't been able to cultivate some of my agricultural land due to the decline in groundwater and the drying up of several springs.”

He explained that water shortages are particularly acute during the summer, with farmers struggling to find enough water, even at night, to irrigate their fields.

The persistent lack of water has forced many farmers to abandon traditional agriculture and shift to rainfed farming.

However, Ali noted that this method is also facing restrictions from government authorities.

Abdul Karim, another resident, added that the groundwater depletion has not only disrupted agriculture but is also hindering access to drinking water.

He said,“In Sar-i-Asyab village, you used to find sufficient water by digging 10 meters into the ground, but now it's hard to find water even after digging 20 meters.”

Ali Ahmadi, an agricultural expert, warned that the continued decline in groundwater could lead to ecosystem destruction with far-reaching consequences, including the degradation of land, reduced soil quality, decreased agricultural production, higher farming costs, worsened food security, increased migration, and growing social problems.

Prof. Torabaz Poyesh from Bamyan University stressed the importance of managing water resources and identified several factors contributing to the decline in groundwater levels, including reduced rainfall, increased well drilling, and overuse of water in recent years.

He suggested several solutions, such as adopting drip irrigation, constructing check dams, creating small rainwater-harvesting pits, implementing artificial underground water recharge projects, cultivating drought-resistant crops, and providing training to farmers.

He urged authorities to adopt careful planning and implement these measures to prevent further depletion of groundwater.

In response to these challenges, local officials said that several measures and projects aimed at managing water resources.

Mohammad Ibrahim Dadfar, the Director of Environmental Protection, acknowledged that climate change has had significant impacts across the country, including in Bamyan.

However, he noted that the province has taken steps to mitigate these effects. These include distributing solar stoves to the public, providing environmental awareness to over 10,000 residents, and constructing seven check dams and thousands of small water wells over the past 11 months to manage natural waters and prevent environmental disasters.

hz/sa

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