CLIMATE CHANGE AND WATER CRISIS IN AFGHANISTAN
Keywords:
Climate Change, Drought, Hydropolitics, Water Crisis, Water Resources Management.
Abstract
Though the negative impacts of climate change on water resources have become a severe social, economic, and environmental problem worldwide, especially in the arid regions of the earth, including Afghanistan, an inclusive and or conclusive review of diverse studies regarding the climate change and root causes of the water crisis in Afghanistan have not been carried out yet. This study analyses the negative impacts of climate change on water including the fundamental causes of the water crisis in Afghanistan, using analytical and descriptive approaches to review the related literature. The findings of this study show that although there is a strong relationship between climate change and water shortages, it can be a secondary factor in the case of Afghanistan. This is because the available surface water in Afghanistan is estimated to be about 50 percent higher than the country's water needs. In addition, the main factors involved in Afghanistan's water crisis are discussed in this study; factors that have not only caused the flow of about 67% of Afghanistan's surface waters to neighboring countries but also caused the wastage of about 40% of its surface water during irrigation. In addition, limitations and recommendations for further studies are also presented. The result of this study would create a clear insight for researchers and policymakers to regulate and manage the ever-increasing water crisis conditions sustainably in Afghanistan and similar contexts.
JEL Classification Codes: Q5, Q2, Q.
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Rafiullah, N. (2018). Signs of climate change in Afghanistan: drought and its effect on agriculture. Региональные проблемы, 21(3-1), 75-81.
Saffi, M. H., & Kohistani, A. J. (2013). Water resources potential, quality problems, challenges and solutions in Afghanistan. Danish Committee for Aid to Afghan Refugees. Kabul: Scientific Investigation Report.
Savage, M., Dougherty, B., Hamza, M., Butterfield, R., & Bharwani, S. (2009). Socio-economic impacts of climate change in Afghanistan. Stockholm Environment Institute: Oxford, UK.
Shokory, J. A., Schaefli, B., & Lane, S. N. (2023). Water resources of Afghanistan and related hazards under rapid climate warming: a review. Hydrological sciences journal, 68(3), 507-525.
Sidiqi, M., Shrestha, S., & Ninsawat, S. (2018). Projection of climate change scenarios in the Kabul River Basin, Afghanistan. Current Science, 114(6), 1304-1310.
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Ahmadzai, S. J. (2016). Hydropolitics of Afghanistan and Its Future. Pages 403-419. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-801886-6.00017-3
Alim, A. K. (2006). Sustainability of water resources in Afghanistan. Journal of Developments in Sustainable Agriculture, 1(1), 53-66.
Ahmadzai, S., & McKinna, A. (2018). Afghanistan electrical energy and trans-boundary water systems analyses: Challenges and opportunities. Energy Reports, 4, 435-469.
Aich, V., Akhundzadah, N. A., Knuerr, A., Khoshbeen, A. J., Hattermann, F., Paeth, H., ... & Paton, E. N. (2017). Climate change in Afghanistan deduced from reanalysis and coordinated regional climate downscaling experiment (CORDEX)—South Asia simulations. Climate, 5(2), 1-25.
Akhtar, F., & Shah, U. (2020). Emerging water scarcity issues and challenges in Afghanistan. Water issues in Himalayan South Asia: Internal challenges, disputes and transboundary tensions, 1-28. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-32-9614-5_1
Beekma, J., & Fiddes, J. (2011). AFGHANISTAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT, 2011.
Biswas, R. R., Sharma, R., & Gyasi-Agyei, Y. (2022). Urban water crises: making sense of climate change adaptation barriers and success parameters. Climate Services, 27, 100302.
Brown, O. (2019). Climate-Fragility Risk Brief: Afghanistan. Adelphi research gGmbH Alt-Moabit 91 10559 Berlin Germany. Retrieved from https://climate-security-expert-network.org/sites/climate-security-expert-network.com/files/documents/csen_climate_fragility_risk_brief_-_afghanistan_0.pdf
Darwin, R. (1995). World agriculture and climate change: economic adaptations (No. 703). US Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
Estrela, T., Pérez-Martin, M. A., & Vargas, E. (2012). Impacts of climate change on water resources in Spain. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 57(6), 1154-1167.
Ethaib, S., Zubaidi, S. L., & Al-Ansari, N. (2022). Evaluation water scarcity based on GIS estimation and climate-change effects: A case study of Thi-Qar Governorate, Iraq. Cogent Engineering, 9(1), 2075301.
Fahim, N. A. (2016). Water, peace and security for all: Afghanistan's hydropolitics as a potential factor for peacebuilding. Regional green dialogue series. Neshat graphics. First Edition. Kabul, Afghanistan.
Favre, R., & Kamal, G. M. (2004). Watershed Atlas of Afghanistan First Edition-Working Document for Planners. Ministry of Irrigation Water Resources and Environment and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Kabul Afghanistan.
GAO. (2014). Afghanistan Oversight and Accountability of U.S. Assistance. GAO United States Government Accountability Office Report. Retrieved from https://www.gao.gov/assets/670/664034.pdf
Gleick, P., & Iceland, C. (2018). Water, security and conflict.
Gujja, B., Dalai, S., Shaik, H., & Goud, V. (2015). Adapting to climate change in the Godavari River basin of India by restoring traditional water storage systems. In Lessons for climate change adaptation from better management of rivers (pp. 229-240).
Hayat, E., & Elci, S. (2017). Adopting a strategic framework for transboundary water resources management in Afghanistan. In Proc., IWA 2nd Reginal Symp. On Water. London, UK: International Water Association.
Hagen, E., & Teufert, J. F. (2009). Flooding in Afghanistan: A crisis. In Threats to Global Water Security (pp. 179-185). Springer Netherlands.
Hesse, C., Krysanova, V., Stefanova, A., Bielecka, M., & Domnin, D. A. (2015). Assessment of climate change impacts on water quantity and quality of the multi-river Vistula Lagoon catchment. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 60(5), 890-911.
Kanae, S. (2009). Global warming and the water crisis. Journal of Health Science, 55(6), 860-864.
Khalily, R. (2022). Evaluation of Climate Change on Agricultural Production in Afghanistan. Eurasian Journal of Agricultural Reriverrch, 6(2), 91-100.
Khan, S., & Pervaz, I. (2014). The Brewing Conflict over Kabul River; Policy Options for Legal Framework.
King, M., & Sturtewagen, B. (2010). Making the most of Afghanistan’s river basins. Opportunities for regional cooperation.
Mahmoodi, S. M. (2008). Integrated water resources management for rural development and environmental protection in Afghanistan. Journal of Developments in Sustainable Agriculture, 3(1), 9-19.
Mapani, B. S., Shikangalah, R. N., & Mwetulundila, A. L. (2023). A review on water security and management under climate change conditions, Windhoek, Namibia. Journal of African Earth Sciences, 197, 104749.
Mehrad, A. T. (2020). Assessment of climate change impacts on environmental sustainability in Afghanistan. In E3S Web of Conferences (Vol. 208, p. 01001). EDP Sciences.
Ministry of Irrigation, Water Resources and Environment. (2004). Strategic Policy Framework for Water Sector Water Sector Policy, Ministry of Irrigation, Water Resources and Environment - Islamic Transitional Government of Afghanistan. Retrieved from https://leap.unep.org/en/countries/af/national-legislation/strategic-policy-framework-water-sector
Mokhtari, H., Qadri, H., & Hajat, M. (2008). Hydropolitics of the Middle East in the horizon of 2025: a case study of the Tigris and Euphrates, Jordan and Nile basins. Geopolitics Quarterly. Forth year. Number 1. pp. 74-36. Retrieved from http://journal.iag.ir/article_57064_bdb7c6c73e990423212be266bf224cf0.pdf
Mousazadeh, R., & Abbaszadeh, M. (2016). Legal aspects of exploiting the Helmand Transboundary River by Iran and Afghanistan. Central Asia and Caucasus Quarterly. Number 93. 1395. Retrieved from http://ca.ipisjournals.ir/article_24259_14e5b6fbc3139fd015a7948410254640.pdf
Omotoso, A. B., Letsoalo, S., Olagunju, K. O., Tshwene, C. S., & Omotayo, A. O. (2023). Climate change and variability in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review of trends and impacts on agriculture. Journal of Cleaner Production, 137487.
Oskorouchi, H. R., & Sousa‐Poza, A. (2021). Floods, food security, and coping strategies: Evidence from Afghanistan. Agricultural Economics, 52(1), 123-140.
Parthemore, C., & Rogers, W. (2010). Sustaining security: How natural resources influence national security. Center for a New American Security.
Parto, S. (2014). Climate Change and Food Security in Afghanistan: Evidence from Balkh, Heart and Nangarhar. Afghanistan Public Policy Research Organization.
Pan, X., Wang, W., Liu, T., Bao, A., Chen, X., Akmalov, S., ... & Van de Voorde, T. (2023). Modeling the effects of improved irrigation methods in a groundwater system: A case study from the Amu Darya Delta, Uzbekistan. Journal of Hydrology, 625, 129987.
Qureshi, A. S. (2002). Water resources management in Afghanistan: The issues and options (Vol. 49). Iwmi.
Rafiullah, N. (2018). Signs of climate change in Afghanistan: drought and its effect on agriculture. Региональные проблемы, 21(3-1), 75-81.
Saffi, M. H., & Kohistani, A. J. (2013). Water resources potential, quality problems, challenges and solutions in Afghanistan. Danish Committee for Aid to Afghan Refugees. Kabul: Scientific Investigation Report.
Savage, M., Dougherty, B., Hamza, M., Butterfield, R., & Bharwani, S. (2009). Socio-economic impacts of climate change in Afghanistan. Stockholm Environment Institute: Oxford, UK.
Shokory, J. A., Schaefli, B., & Lane, S. N. (2023). Water resources of Afghanistan and related hazards under rapid climate warming: a review. Hydrological sciences journal, 68(3), 507-525.
Sidiqi, M., Shrestha, S., & Ninsawat, S. (2018). Projection of climate change scenarios in the Kabul River Basin, Afghanistan. Current Science, 114(6), 1304-1310.
Syedy, S. H. (2011). WATER SCARCITY MANAGEMENT IN NARANG CANAL A Study in Narang District, Kunar Province, Afghanistan. Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences. Wageningen the Netherlands. Retrieved from https://edepot.wur.nl/192558
Thomas, V., Azizi, M. A., & Behzad, K. (2016). Developing transboundary water resources: What perspectives for cooperation between Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan? (Vol. 6). Kabul, Afghanistan: Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit.
Thomas, V., Warner, J. (2015). Hydropolitics in the Harirud/Tejen river basin: Afghanistan as hydro-hegemon? Water Int. 40 (4), 593–613.
Ullah, R., & Zulfiqar, F. (2017). Transboundary Water Issues between Pakistan and Afghanistan. In XVI Biennial IASC Conference, Utrecht.
Ward, F. A., Amer, S. A., & Ziaee, F. (2013). Water allocation rules in Afghanistan for improved food security. Food Security, 5(1), 35-53.
Whitehead, P. G., Wilby, R. L., Battarbee, R. W., Kernan, M., & Wade, A. J. (2009). A review of the potential impacts of climate change on surface water quality. Hydrological sciences journal, 54(1), 101-123.
World Bank. (2018a). Afghanistan Renewable Energy Development Issues and Options. World Bank.
World Bank. (2018b). Strengthening Hydromet and Early Warning Services in Afghanistan: A Road Map. World Bank. Retrieved from https://www.gfdrr.org/en/publication/strengthening.hydromet-and-early-warning-services-afghanistan-road-map
Watkins, K., & Development Programme United Nations. (2006). Beyond scarcity: Power, poverty and the global water crisis. Palgrave Macmillan.
Yıldız, D. (2015). Afghanistan’s transboundary rivers and regional security. World Scientific News, 16, 40-52.
Yıldız, D. (2017). Afghanistan’s Transboundary Rivers and Regional Security. World Water Diplomacy & Science News. Hydropolitics Academy, April 2017. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/321297554_Afghanistan's_Transboundary_Rivers_and_Regional_Security_1
Published
2024-03-26
How to Cite
Nabavi, S. A., & Mohammadi, A. (2024). CLIMATE CHANGE AND WATER CRISIS IN AFGHANISTAN. American International Journal of Social Science Research, 15(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.46281/aijssr.v15i1.2199
Section
Original Articles/Review Articles/Case Reports/Short Communications
Copyright (c) 2024 Salman Ali Nabavi, Alinaqi Mohammadi
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
