Every spring, rainwater and melting snow flow through many parts of Daikundi. However, due to a lack of adequate water storage facilities, some of this water flows out of the region. By summer, residents face water shortages, making it difficult for them to access water for farming, orchards, and livestock.
To address this problem, residents of Tagab Lora village in Shahristan district of Daikundi province have launched the construction of a water storage dam called “Band-e Madar.” According to local residents, the dam will be about 40 metres high. It aims to store water during spring so that it can be used during the dry season.
The project is located in Kochak Dahan-e Oshtoran village. The cost of building the dam is being covered through contributions from local residents and Afghans living abroad. According to residents, the project is estimated to cost between two million and 2.5 million Afghanis.
Khudadad Payman, a resident of Tagab Lora, says that drought and water shortages have affected agricultural production, orchards, and water resources in the region.
He adds that although water is plentiful during winter and spring, much of it flows out of the region because of a lack of water storage facilities. He hopes the dam will improve local residents’ access to water.
“During winter and spring, there was plenty of water in the area where the dam is being built. However, much of this water flowed away and was wasted because there was no dam to store it. People used only the water they needed, while the extra water could not be stored. In contrast, we faced severe drought and water shortages in summer,” he says.
The efforts of local residents are not limited to covering the cost of the project. Local residents, youth, women, and returnees have also taken part in different stages of construction to help complete the dam.
Ghulam Hossain Danishwar, another local resident, says that before construction began, drought and water shortages caused serious economic and livelihood problems for local people. He explains that many trees dried up and farming activities declined, damaging the region’s vegetation and affecting the economy of families.
“Before the dam was built, drought caused serious problems for local people, who suffered from its consequences. They faced economic difficulties, water shortages, and unemployment. Water shortages and drought also caused trees to dry up and agricultural activities to decline. This situation not only damaged the region’s greenery but also caused major economic losses for local people,” he says.
Although construction is still underway, residents hope the completed dam will help reduce problems caused by water shortages. They expect that storing spring water will improve access to water in summer and allow some farmland that has been left uncultivated due to water shortages to be farmed again.
Mohammad Hossain Dadgar, another resident of Tagab Lora village in Shahristan district, says that drought and declining water resources in recent years have caused serious problems for agriculture, livestock farming, and orchards.
“Once the dam is completed, filled with water, and put into use, it will provide water to thousands of jeribs of farmland. The water will also be used to generate electricity. In addition, the dam may help increase water levels in springs and underground water sources,” he says.
But can small dams like this go beyond providing water for farming? Can they also help manage water resources and adapt to drought?
Reza Shaheen, an expert in water and environmental issues, says that if properly designed and managed, such dams can help more surface water soak into the ground and replenish groundwater resources in the long term. He explains:
“These dams play an important role in water management. By storing rainwater and surface water, they allow more water to soak into the ground, which can help raise groundwater levels. They can also reduce the risk of flooding by slowing the flow of water during rainfall. More water soaking into the ground and improved soil moisture can help vegetation grow and make the region greener. As a result, the area can provide a better habitat for birds, insects, and other living organisms.”
Storing water is not only about supplying water to farmland. When properly managed, dams can also help keep the soil moist, increase vegetation cover, and create better living conditions for different species.
Officials at the Department of Agriculture also emphasize that increasing water storage capacity can help people make better use of natural resources and develop economic activities.
Mohammad Rasoul Rasa, head of publications at the Daikundi Department of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, says that building dams through cooperation among local communities, the Department of Agriculture, and partner organizations can help bring some farmland back into use.
“These dams help maintain soil moisture by storing water and allowing more of it to soak into the ground. They also help greenery grow and increase vegetation cover. This creates suitable habitats for birds, insects, and other living organisms. Overall, they can also increase biodiversity and improve the ecological balance of the area,” he adds.
Cooperation among people in Daikundi is ongoing to build “Band-e Madar” as the province faces ongoing drought and declining water resources.
