Water scarcity is one of the defining environmental challenges in Iran today. While modern infrastructure and technology play a major role in managing water resources, certain regions—such as Makoran in southeastern Iran—offer practical examples of how indigenous water knowledge can complement contemporary approaches.
In this video, Dr. Emadi examines the traditional water-harvesting and storage practices developed in Makoran, a region characterized by irregular rainfall, high evaporation, and limited surface water. Over generations, local communities designed methods for capturing seasonal rain, slowing runoff, and storing water in earth-based or shaded structures that helped reduce losses. These practices emerged gradually through observation, trial and error, and collective experience with the local environment.
Although these systems cannot replace modern water infrastructure, they provide useful insights—especially for rural areas and smallholder agriculture. Their strengths lie in being low-cost, locally managed, and suited to the region’s natural conditions. In an era where groundwater depletion and climate variability are increasing, such traditional approaches can help diversify Iran’s water-management toolbox.
Dr. Emadi highlights several areas where indigenous knowledge and modern science can reinforce each other: improving small-scale water harvesting, reducing evaporation from storage structures, and designing community-based management systems that encourage more efficient use. The point is not to romanticize the past, but to recognize that these methods reflect long-term adaptation to dryland conditions.
Makoran’s experience shows that sustainable water management in Iran will likely require a combination of strategies—modern engineering, policy reform, and local knowledge. Indigenous systems represent one piece of this broader picture, offering practical lessons for enhancing resilience, especially in rural regions facing increasing environmental pressure.