(MNA)
-- Officials in charge of the Sivand Dam Project
have announced that the dam will come on stream on
February 1st, 2006 the Persian service of CHN
reported on Sunday.
The
dam was scheduled and promised not to become
operational before March 2006, but the date was
pushed forward, the executive manager of the dam
project, Jalal Jamei, said.
Located
in Iran’s southern province of Fars, Tang-e
Bolaghi and its very significant ancient sites
will be flooded by the Sivand Dam.
Jamei
stated that the water of the plains below the dam
and the Arsanjan region is not suitable for
irrigation, adding, “We have promised to provide
the farmers the necessary water for their farm
products.
“We
chose the day February 1 since it coincides with
the first day of the Ten-Day Dawn (the anniversary
of the victory of the Islamic Revolution). In
addition, the winter rain and snow will help fill
the water reservoir up to 30 million cubic
meters,” he noted.
According
to Jamei, 30 million cubic meters of water will
not fill the whole reservoir, but will only
provide the water necessary for farming for the
time being.
Jamei
pointed out that archaeologists are currently
working at the site, and the project officials are
cooperating with them, saying, “We are planning
to control the water filling process in a way that
the archaeologists will have enough time to save
the nearby ancient site.” (!)
Once,
part of the renowned imperial route to Persepolis
and Susa, Tang-e Bolaghi will be flooded by the
Polvar River when the Sivand Dam is completed.
Part of Pasargadae will be buried under mud, and
even the mausoleum of Cyrus the Great is believed
to be at risk.
Tang-e
Bolaghi contains sites from the Neolithic and
Paleolithic periods, the middle and late Elamite
era (2700-645 BC), and the Sassanid era (224-651
CE).
Experts
believe that the water stored in the dam’s
reservoir will increase humidity, which will later
damage the foundations of the palaces as well as
the Tomb of Cyrus the Great.
The
area is home to 84 historical sites, including
ancient mounds, metalworking furnaces, caves and
shelters, stone tombs of ancient governors of Fars,
two group graves from the Parthian era, an
exclusive 4-kilometer royal road paved with
stones, as well as several other historical sites
which will be submerged under water if the dam
becomes operational.
