According to him, the main cause of tension and problems in Khuzestan province is definitely the issue of proper water management. However, he also believes that not all problems can be attributed to water management in this province.

Given the repeated dam constructions in the past three decades in the country and considering the recent unrest related to water scarcity in Khuzestan province, we attempted to have a conversation with a member of the 11th Parliament’s Civil Commission. We were successful in speaking with Gholamreza Shariatian, the representative of Behshahr in the 11th Parliament and a member of the Civil Commission. In an interview with Khat-e-Solh magazine, he defended dam constructions in the country, stating that these dams prevent floods. This Parliament member and former head of Basij Sazandegi in Karbala Mazandaran, in response to Khat-e-Solh’s question about floods in northern and southern provinces of the country despite the presence of numerous dams, claimed that the absence of some dams in certain areas has caused the floods. He also mentioned institutions such as Khatam-al-Anbiya base and the Foundation for the Oppressed as government institutions

The explanation of the interview with Gholamreza Shariati Andarati, member of the 11th Parliament’s Construction Commission, passes below for your consideration in the monthly magazine “Khat-e-Solh”.

In relation to solving the issue of water scarcity in Khuzestan, we were faced with the release of water from the Dez and Karun dams in this province. The issue of dam construction has been a topic of debate among supporters and opponents in the past three decades. In your opinion, was dam construction of this magnitude necessary in Iran? Is there any criticism towards the extent of dam construction in Iran?

The dams that have been built in our country have mostly been in places where their rivers have had seasonal floods and gradual floods during a certain period of time. For example, dams such as the Haraz River Dam, Neka River Dam, or Alborz Dam, which have been built in Mazandaran province, have been mainly constructed in places where they can prevent the floods and flash floods. In this province, the construction of these dams has significantly reduced the damages caused by floods. In other parts of the country, these dams have also been built primarily to prevent river floods. Another goal has been to provide water for agricultural, drinking, or other purposes during times of need. In other words, the purpose of these dams has been to prevent floods and the destruction they cause, as well as to regulate water supply for agriculture and drinking. Iran is a dry country and sometimes it rains during seasons when we do not need it. This is why there is a need for water regulation.

Of course, there may have been mistakes or lack of necessary attention in some of the dam constructions. These exist and it cannot be considered completely defensible everything that has happened in dam construction in the country. However, the policy of building dams is completely defensible. In Mazandaran province, all the dams that have been built have had the right philosophy and have achieved their goals.

So in your opinion, is the issue the destruction of the dams or the dams themselves?

It is possible that there has been a mistake in the construction of the dam. However, even if we say that the dam construction was wrong or too many dams were built, I do not agree.

There are criticisms about the management of dams. Is the lack of proper management of dams one of the reasons for water scarcity in Khuzestan?

Since I do not live in Khuzestan, I cannot make a serious criticism of water management in the province. However, events such as drought and seasonal water shortages often occur. Surely, if better management was implemented in this matter, the problems would decrease. It cannot be said that management in this sector is blameless. Surely, one factor contributing to tensions and problems is the issue of proper water management. But to say that all problems are due to water management is unfair.

Has this lack of proper management of dams in Khuzestan province been raised in the Civil Commission of the Parliament?

When problems in the Khuzestan region arose, all issues related to water and its management in Khuzestan were discussed in commission meetings. Even discussions about investigating and examining the issue of sewage in Khuzestan and related issues have been raised in the parliament’s construction commission. The problems of this province, to which we are all indebted, are constantly being addressed by the construction commission.

In the issue of dam construction, the discussion of river conservation and environmental issues is raised. In your opinion, how much consideration has been given to environmental issues in dam constructions in Iran?

I, considering the supervision I have over the province of Mazandaran and dams such as Shahid Rajaei Dam, Golord Dam, Alborz Dam, Haraz Dam, and others, say that they are facing the least flaws in this area. That is, in construction, maximum attention has been paid to the issue of protecting rivers and streams that lead to the dam. Also, in my opinion, the performance of these dams has been correct and has had the least problems. When you build a large structure, it will definitely have some flaws and shortcomings. But these flaws and shortcomings are minimal.

Which laws have been passed in regards to environmental issues in this council?

In the past year, no specific law regarding dam construction has been discussed in the Civil Engineering Commission. The commission has been actively pursuing three to four laws related to housing issues in the past year and has been strongly focused on them. These were among the main topics of the commission. The discussion of taxing vacant houses was also one of the main topics. Usually, topics with a more supervisory aspect were brought up in the commission, such as issues related to monitoring construction in the country. These issues have been of great interest to the Civil Engineering Commission in the past year.

What is the share of the private sector in dam construction in Iran?

Unfortunately, due to the enormous amount of financial resources required for the construction of a dam, the private sector has not taken this issue seriously to pursue the construction of the dam. It is possible that they have entered the lower network or power plants, which has happened. If the private sector has entered, there are those who are somehow dependent on the government and the ruling system. In practice, the private sector, in the sense that exists in the minds of our people, does not exist in the field of dam construction industry.

Does this mean that the same privileges are more involved in dam construction?

Yes. For example, the Sepah Pasdaran Khatam al-Anbiya Garrison has done very good work in the field of dam construction. But this cannot be considered private. Or the Foundation for the Oppressed has also done the same. That is to say, if we say that someone is not affiliated with any government or state organization and has entered the field of dam construction, at least I do not have information about them.

Has a budget been allocated for the restoration and reconstruction of old dams that have reached the end of their useful life, in order to prevent any problems for the country?

Undoubtedly, maintenance and preservation and keeping the facilities of dams and large buildings are among the measures and requirements of project management. Of course, it may not be cost-effective, but this is a concern for water managers in the country. In our meetings and discussions, we are discussing this issue that if there is negligence in preserving and protecting these structures, it can cause irreparable damage to the region where the dam exists.

Some believe that the mafia of dam construction has been active in Iran for years. Do you think this is a delusion or reality?

I do not accept this. I have stated that if the private sector has the opportunity to enter these types of projects, we and the government will not be an obstacle. As much as I am aware of the situation of the country’s infrastructure projects, I cannot accept such a claim. The private sector is not closed off to entering projects such as dam construction, railways, highways, and the like. The government and parliament also welcome the private sector’s involvement in these types of infrastructure projects.

You mentioned one of the reasons for building dams is to prevent floods. In recent years, we have witnessed severe floods in the northern and southern provinces of the country. Dams were not able to prevent them as it was claimed. What do you think is the issue?

See, we have many branches. In the floods of Mazandaran, at the same time that there were floods in Golestan and Khuzestan, I was present due to my responsibility in the incident. These floods usually happen in places where despite the necessity of building dams on rivers, this did not happen. For example, in Jouybar, Qaemshahr and Sari, this flood happened. Now the Kasilian dam has been planned, but it has not reached the implementation stage. Its studies have also been done. If we had this dam, undoubtedly Jouybar, Qaemshahr, Sari, and even Babolsar would not have been flooded. We did not have a dam there. But in the Tang-e-Jen river area, due to the Shahid Rajaei dam, our damage was not significant. But in this branch of the river where the Kasilian dam should be built, we had a problem.

Do you think the main reason for the floods in your province, Mazandaran, is the absence of a dam rather than the presence of a dam?

Yes. As I mentioned, one of the main goals of dams is to prevent floods. Wherever we had dams, we did not have any damage. Wherever we did not have dams, but had damage.

Amidst the protests of the people in Khuzestan province, the parliament did not hold an emergency session on this matter. On the other hand, during these days, they approved the “Protection of User Rights” plan. Do you think Khuzestan was not a priority for the parliament? Why?

The issues that arose in Khuzestan were discussed in the meetings and serious follow-ups were taken. It is not possible to shut down the country’s issues. Whatever is necessary, the parliament will address it. The issue of Khuzestan’s water and the need for serious attention to it was also brought up by the parliament and was taken very seriously. The issue of protecting the virtual space is also one of the essential issues of the country. Because there was no such law. The virtual space is like the real space. Just as in the real space you have borders and guards, in the virtual space, which is even larger, there must be rules, regulations, and discipline in place to ensure the country’s interests are protected.

Was the issue of Khuzestan not more important in these circumstances?

The issue of Khuzestan has also been seen. Discussions have been held in various commissions regarding the issues of Khuzestan and the problems of the people have been followed up. This issue has also been examined in its own place in the virtual space.

Thank you for the time you have given to the peace line.