An Application of WEAP Model in Water Resources Management Considering the Environmental Scenarios and Economic Assessment Case Study: Hirmand Catchment

Abstract

Hirmand catchment is one of the important trans boundary catchment in Iran. Sistan people living in south east Iran related to this catchment. Meanwhile drought of the last two decades, due to dust storms jeopardized the Human health. Also, causing destroyed vegetation cover and animal habitat in region. The first objective of the present study is water resources management under environmental scenarios using the WEAP model in Hirmand catchment. In study, dust stabilization and animal-plant sustainable ecosystem scenarios have been applied. The second objective is economic assessment of defined scenarios. According to the results, average total demand in dust stabilization and animal-plant sustainable ecosystem scenarios increased about 238 and 231 million cubic meters compared to the current account, respectively. Also, unmet demand compared to the current account increased 193 and 200 million cubic meters, approximately. According to the economic assessment calculations, benefit in dust stabilization scenario 160 milliards rials and in animal-plant sustainable ecosystem scenario 209 milliards rials decreased in agriculture sector. Therefore, despite the decline in benefit, in policy making and water resources management should be special attention to protect the environment wetlands.