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10
October 2005
 The
plan to afforest the area around Sivand Dam to reduce the level of
humidity at the historical site of Sivand has raised concern among
environmentalists who believe that plantation around the dam will
increase humidity rather than decrease it, reported CHN.
Ministry of Energy, which is implementing the project contended that
it is possible to reduce the level of humidity through aforestation.
An expert on forest affairs, Kazem Nosrati said that trees increase
the humidity of the surroundings and they contribute to increasing
the amount of rainfall.
“Experts discount that the level of humidity in an area, which has
a body of water, can be reduced by planting trees.“
An environment expert said that presumably those implementing the
Sivand Dam project have offered to plant trees to reduce humidity of
the soil around the dam.
Experts believe that usually water from dams seeps into nearby lands
turning them into marshlands. The soil and land in the area loses
its strength thus exposing the cultural heritage sites in the area
to destruction.
“Aforestation may lead to the absorption of humidity by the trees.
However this evaporates into the air thus doubling the level of
humidity. So, extensive humidity will pose greater threats to
historical monuments,“ he added. Nosrati
said that plantation of trees may be effective in reducing humidity
in the initial stage, but, when the trees grow, they will contribute
to humidity as well. “Forests attract clouds which are followed by
rain. This has a destructive effect on cultural heritage
edifices,“ he noted.
Head of Pars-e Pasargad Research Foundation, Mohammad Hassan
Talebian said that humidity at the Sivand Dam reservoir is the
number one threat to Pasargad historical monuments and the rise in
the level of humidity in historical sites will have impacts on the
maintenance of Pasargad.
There are natural forests around Sivand Dam. Filling of the dam with
water will destroy these forests and the executives of Sivand Dam
should pay reparations for destroying the forests.
He said that the water seeping into nearby land will lead to the
degradation of soil in the area.
Experts believe that accurate studies of climatic conditions have
not been carried out before undertaking the project to construct
Sivand Dam.
Talebian said that one way to limit the damages to Pasargad cultural
heritage site is to install humidity measuring devices in the area
while coordinating the water level at the dam with acceptable
humidity.
So, while filling up the dam, the level of the water should not
exceed the optimum level to keep humidity in the area in line with
the standard.
Environment experts do not see Talebian’s proposal as effective in
limiting the harmful effects of humidity on Pasargad and believe
that reduction in the water level of the dam will not be effective.
Talebian said he will welcome expert views to ensure that humidity
of the dam will not endanger Parsargad.
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