Duran Research and Analysis
Sustainable Development Conference-SDPI
December 9-11, 2014 - Islamabad
Afghanistan’s River Basins
1. Amu
1800km Boundary with Tajikistan, Uzbekistan & Turkmenistan,
Tributaries: Kokcha, Kunduz, Punjab, Khanabad and Aab-i-Rustaq
57% of surface water, Provides for 3 million population, Regulated as
per MoU with Former Soviet Union
2. Kabul-Indus
Flows to Pakistan
Tributaries: Kabul, Panjsher,, Kunar, Gomal, Margo
26% of surface water, provides for 7 million population, no regulation
3. Helmand
Flows to Iran, 1973 Treaty!
Tributaries: Adraskan, Fara Rod, KhashRod, Khuspas, Kajrod, Band-i-
Kajaki, Musa Qala, Arghandab
11% of surface water, provides for 6 million population
Afghanistan’s River Basins
1. Hariroad
Flows to Iran, Turkmenistan, No Treaty!
Tributaries: Murghab, Kashan-Kushk, Hariroad
4% of surface water, provides for 2million population
2. Northern (not Trans-boundary)
Consists of Balkhab, Sherin Tagab, Tashqurghan, Aab-i-
Safaid
2% of Surface Water, provides for 3 million population
Source: Afghanistan Atlas of Watershed
Afghanistan’s River Basins
Amu Kabul Hariroad- Helmand Northern
Murghab
Water 7,412 2,889 1,777 1,581 676
Availability
(m3) /
capita
Annual 22 20.76 3.06 9.30 1.88
discharge
billion m3
% of water 24 25 42 58 100
use
Mechanism 1958 None None 1973
s Protocol- Treaty: 22
Ex-SU – + 4 m3/ sec
joint to Iran
execution
of works
Source: NDHR
Source: Water availability (m3/capita/year) in five river basins (Favre & Kamal, 2004)
Context – Water Resources
Afghanistan’s Water potential is 75,000 million cubic
meters.
Afghanistan is said to have one of the lowest water
retention and utilization capacity, less than 1/3rd (less than
30%) of its waters due to insufficient infrastructure for
water management
Climate change is visible in precipitation and temperature
regime resulting in prolonged and more frequent droughts
and floods.
There is a 25-30 years data gap on water resources (1980-
2006…) So all data dates back to 1980 and before.
Water resources potential and using present and future balance
75
80
70 Surface water
57
55
60
Potential (BCM)
Groundwater
50 40 Total
35
40 30
30 20 20
18 17
15 15
20 10 10
10 3
0
Potential Present use Balance Future use Balance
Source: Water resources (FAO, 1999 and Wincent, 2003)
Regional Context
4 of the 5 river basins are trans-boundary in nature (all except
Northern)
Afghanistan shares its waters with the Central Asian Republics in
the north, Iran in the west and Pakistan in the south/ east
Afghanistan has only one water sharing agreement with Iran on
the Helmand river basin.
There are few indications on water sharing between Afghanistan
and Ex-Soviet Union - MoUs
Water results in conflict, (2nd major cause of conflict at
community level-NHDR)
Provinces close to the rivers suffer from flooding and drought
due to poor water management and weak or non-existent water
infrastructure
Legal & Policy Context
Kabul Understanding - Strategic Framework for the Water
Sector
Afghanistan Compact
Afghanistan National Development Strategy
Afghanistan Water Law/ Water Sector Policy
National Priority Program: (National Waters and Natural
Resource Program, National Energy Supply Program)
The National Environmental Law (conservation,
protection and improvement of the country’s environment)
Afghanistan Drafty Trans-Boundary Policy (under
consideration)
Context – Impact of Poor Water
Development & Management
Under-Developed Economic Infrastructure
Agricultural economy (78.6% labor force, 70-80% of
GDP, 2.2 million hectares out of 7.9 million hectares
cultivated only)
Lack of precipitation leads to up to 50% decline in
agricultural production (2008)
Low National Revenue Generation Capacity
Extreme dependence on international community
Water can generate enormous revenue
Ineffective Legal, Policy and Institutional Context
Almost non-existent regional cooperation: The Water
Agreement with Iran (Helmand River Basin) is limited
to water sharing.
Context – Impact of Poor Water
Development & Management
Environmentally Hazardous and Unsustainable
Development
Inadequate water development and lack of attention to its
impact on climate change.
Alarming Population Growth
Expected decrease in water availability by 50% in the next 40
years, in the face of increased population: Afghanistan 65
million, Pakistan 291 million, Iran 100 million by 2050
Potential for Regional Conflict
Lack of Sufficient Focus on TBW Development and
Management
2005-2006: Iraq $26.5, Afghanistan $3.3 in aid/ capita (NHDR)
Water is a sub-sector in practice, Less-Attended!
Policy Recommendations
Policy, legal, institutional and infrastructural Reform at
national level, prioritizing regional cooperation
Build capacity and establish strong knowledge base to
address the data gap
Move towards regional cooperation, hydro-diplomacy and
compliance to international conventions
Promote long term and regional sensitive program
approach
Engage civil society, academia, private sector, media and
research organizations extensively (at national and
regional level)
Thank you!
