TEHRAN - The decline in rainfall, water scarcity, drying up of wetlands, and the turning of farmers to underground aquifers have led to the creation and intensification of land subsidence phenomena in Marvdasht plain of Fars province, which is home to treasured historical sites such as Pasargadae, Persepolis, and Naqsh-e Rustam, exposing them to serious risks.

According to reports by ILNA, many environmental experts believe that the main reason for the sinkholes around Naqsh-e Rustam and Persepolis is the lowering of the groundwater level due to unauthorized well digging and excessive water extraction.

Recent studies of the Marvdasht plain and some parts of the Shiraz plain over the past approximately 15 years have shown that the entire Marvdasht plain has been affected by land subsidence, with its extent and speed progressing significantly in this area.

Mohammad Darvish, an environmental researcher and activist, regarding this issue, stated that the Marvdasht plain is the most critical area in terms of geology after the Mahyar plain in Isfahan province.

He said: "Unfortunately, the situation in this area of Fars province is extremely worrying, and a large part of this plain is facing subsidence of more than 15 to 20 centimeters, which is five times the natural and tolerable limit of subsidence."

The expert continued, "Some individuals, in order to hide the issue and prevent tourists and the public from noticing the land subsidence around Marvdasht and Persepolis, fill the sinkholes with soil."

Darvish believes that the root cause of this issue lies in the agricultural well activities in this region; the presence of dams such as Doroudzan, Mollasadra, and Sivand upstream of this plain has disrupted the hydrological flow of the Kor and Sivand basins.

This environmental activist emphasized that there are no clear prospects for sensing the danger and dealing with this critical situation. He said: "Officials have not taken any action to seal unauthorized wells around Persepolis and Pasargadae or compensate farmers [for possible losses].” 

He stated: "As long as the current trend continues, not only will the problem not be solved, but we will also witness an increase in these challenges, and the people of Fars should be prepared for more adverse conditions for Persepolis and Pasargadae."

Darvish continued: "If we are seeking to control critical dust and soil centers in the province, we must revive the wetlands again."

He underlined that Fars province has almost lost all its wetlands, adding the total agricultural lands of the province has seen a five-fold increase over the past three decades.

This environmental activist concluded by stating that if we are advocating for the control of critical dust and soil centers in the province, we must revive the wetlands once again.

AM