According to California University
Hydrology Modeling Department in Euphrates and Tigris river basins have been
losing high quantity of underground water reserve. The picture shows that underground
water depletion in Middle East via GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment)
model.
Euphrates River and Tigris River are originating in East part of Turkey
and flows to Iraq and Syria.
Turkish farmers and Turkish Law
There is no any rule for digging
well in Turkish law or at least I know there is no any control/management. In
2011 Turkish government decided to install water counter for all each wells
where consumer extract water to irrigation but farmers/farmer cooperation didn’t
want at all and they were complained that it will be high expenditure and low
income will make a big damage to Turkish farming industry. Unfortunately in the
end discussion government couldn’t put into practice.
What should have done?
Instead of the installing water counter
Turkish government should change the Turkish law and every farmer has to use
modern irrigation methods. Especially in Eastern part of the Turkey, where there
has been long time underground water depletion increasing and there is no control
or serious action plan for that significant issue.
In Turkey 72% of freshwater using
for irrigation. This high quantity of water has to be reducing with proper
action plans otherwise Turkey not only will have a serious water scarcity problem
but also food security problem too…
Solution is not easy but not that
difficult...
