Jalal Shamsazaran —Without Hamoun

Hamoun has been dried and the wind blows everywhere.

These days, Iranian people are dealing with environmental and economic problems. Climate changes, drought, reduction of rain, governmental mismanagement and drying of the lakes and wetlands are the most important problems. Sistan in the Southeast of Iran and on the boundary of Afghanistan is one of the regions that is affected harshly by the drying of Hamoun Lake.

Before the drought in 1999, Sistan was considered the wheat store of Iran. By a reduction of the amount of water from the Hirmand River in Afghanistan entering into this region, Hamoun Lake and wetland, the only hope and point of power of the Sistan economy, was dried.

There has been an increase in the pace of the 120-days winds as a result of the drought in Hamoun Lake. This in combination with the dried sediments on the floor of the Lake have created environmental and health risks for the residents. More than four hundred thousand people are affected by this drought.

Wind is a part of Sistan people’s life. It blows everywhere and all the time. Springs are dried. Livestock are afflicted with disease and children’s health is at risk. Unemployment and poverty threatens the people. Many people have migrated to other cities but some are unable to migrate. They have stayed and struggle with this wild nature.

Jalal Shams Azaran was born in Tabriz, Iran (1971). He is a self-taught photographer and is a social documentary photographer. He is currently lives an works in his hometown.

For more information visit: jalalshams.com/