Darvish: We should not sacrifice Horul Azim at the cost of oil extraction

The Sohrab oil field in the Horul Azim region has once again raised concerns about the conflict between oil development and wetland protection. Environmental activist Mohammad Darwish, referring to the experience of Azadegan Square and the declared opposition to Pad No. 8, warns that the continuation of the project in the current way can endanger the remaining parts of the wetland and the livelihood of local communities.

According to Ambassador Arjan, in the area of Horul Azim, the "Sohrab" oil field has become one of the centers of discussion about the relationship between oil development and wetland protection. According to environmental activists, the location of the wells and the method of drilling can affect the remaining parts of the wetland. Mohammad Darwish, an environmental activist, emphasizes that opposition to the way the plan is implemented does not mean opposition to oil exploration, but the goal is to prevent the repetition of the experience that harmed Horul Azim in Azadegan Square.

Mohammad Darwish said in an interview with "Farhikhtegan": "The environmental activists are not saying that oil exploration will not be carried out or that the country will be deprived of oil revenues; The problem is that, according to the bitter experience of the Azadegan oil field, drilling operations should not be carried out in such a way that the two remaining Horul Azim ponds, i.e. ponds number one and two, are also affected."

He added: "In different parts of the world, oil extraction is also done in water environments, and Iran also uses this method in the Persian Gulf; Therefore, the question is why in this region should be insisted on the implementation of operations on land; That too at the cost of damaging the wetland." Darvish continued: "The implementers of the project cite sanctions, the lack of necessary technology and the unfavorable economic conditions of the country as the reasons for choosing this method and they believe that such a method must be adopted. However, the economic pressure should not lead to a repetition of the harmful experiences of the past.

Referring to the follow-up on the project, this environmental activist said: "I was in Ahvaz last week and I heard the statements of the Director General of Environmental Protection of Khuzestan, based on which the opposition to pad number eight was announced."

According to him, the number of pads on which the oil wells are supposed to be placed has been reduced from eight to seven pads, but pressure is still being applied to implement the plan. Darvish expressed hope that with the increase in public awareness and demand, and considering that the Environmental Protection Organization has also placed its position with the people, the possibility of repeating what happened in the Azadegan oil field will be reduced.

He added: "Some managers of the Ministry of Petroleum, especially in the departments related to health, safety and environment, are sensitive to the consequences of this plan and are trying to minimize the risks. However, concerns about the possible effects of the implementation of the plan still remain.

Darvish said: "Horal Azim plays the role of a natural cooler for the west and southwest of Iran, and its drying, in addition to environmental consequences, can have wide and unpredictable social and economic consequences."

Referring to the livelihood of the Iranian Arab people living in the region, he added: "In the conversations I had with the people of Rafi, Bostan and Sosangard, I realized that Horul Azim is a red line for them. "Damage to the wetland can make life and livelihood of these people seriously difficult."

This environmental activist warned that neglecting the concerns of the local community may provide grounds for abuse by currents that seek to strengthen separatist views. According to him, such currents may make the damage to people's living environment look intentional and use it to intensify grievances. Darvish emphasized that such a situation should not be allowed to develop.

Pointing to the necessity of securing the rights of Horul Azim, Darvish said: "Instead of putting more pressure on the wetland by implementing new plans, it is necessary to form a joint consortium with Iraq, Syria and Turkey in order to secure the rights of the wetland; A wetland that is known in Iraq as Horul Hawezah.

He added: "Iran should allocate about one billion and 400 million cubic meters of water to Horul Azim, and Iraq's share is also about two billion and 500 million cubic meters." While in practice, Iran supplies about 400 million cubic meters and Iraq less than 200 million cubic meters of water to the wetland."

Darvish continued: "It is necessary to define a win-win equation for this issue. If, on the one hand, Iran makes demands on the need to secure the rights to the upstream countries, and on the other hand, engages in activities that fuel the drying up of the wetland, the power of persuasion and follow-up will decrease."

He explained that this issue is important from a geopolitical, political, environmental and economic point of view and is also related to the country's future resilience. According to Darvish, in order to claim rights from Turkey and other countries in the region, Iran must be able to show that it is also serious about protecting its wetlands.

In response to the question that in the difficult conditions of the country and at the same time with external threats, why should environmental issues be emphasized, Darwish said: "Incidentally, addressing these demands can be the trump card of the government and governance."

This environmental activist continued: "When the government hears the voice of the people at the highest level and invites them to talk, hope is formed in the society and the escalation of social protests can be prevented. If the government responds to these demands, people will feel that their voices are heard and that the government is not indifferent to their concerns."

Darvish emphasized that the same approach can be repeated for Lake Urmia and Horul Azim. According to him, responding to environmental demands is an opportunity for the government to show that it listens to the voice of the people and, in this way, restore part of the damaged social capital.

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