Wednesday, 25 July 2001

TEHRAN -- Following the construction of channels over Kâroun River and the ongoing irrigation project in the region by a local organization, the historical establishments of Dasht-e Miyanab, in Shoushtar will be urgently identified as a registered and thus protected historical site by a number of archaeologists lest they be destroyed during the implementation of the project.

According to experts, the administrative system of Khuzestan plain has been a dominating factor in its agriculture in the ancient times, because of its high temperature, high-quality soil, and the establishment of irrigation systems and roads.

Karoun River is divided into two sections in the northern part of Shoushtar by a deviating dam, as a result of which Shoushtar and its lower district are turned into an island (Minoo-Ab).

Considering the structures of water establishments of Minoo-Ab Island and its irrigation system, it is considered as one of the wonderful achievements of the human community.

According to the supervisor of the archaeological studies of the area Abbas Moqaddam, the low level of water in Minoo-Ab Island as compared to Mianab Island made our predecessors to come up with an amazing irrigation system by resorting to concentrated irrigation system.

The archaeological studies conducted in the area indicate that the ancient engineers managed to leave behind one of the best samples of proper approach toward their environment protection.

According to the media and information center of Iran's Cultural Heritage Organization (ICHO), the current environmental changes, and the establishment of numerous dams on Karoun River has caused difficulties in pumping water into Mianab island in Minouie, and a great section of the island suffers from water shortage.