Amin Sadeqi

University of Turku | UTU · Department of Geography and Geology

Several cities of Khuzestan have seen bloody protests for more than a week. Khuzestan is a fertile plain in southwestern Iran where a variety of agricultural products such as sugarcane and dates are grown. This province plays a key role in Iran's oil-based economy, as about 60% of Iran's oil reserves are located in this province. However, the people living in this province are struggling with many problems, which has made the migration rate in this province the highest in the whole country. In recent days, the water shortage has caused protests and street riots throughout this region.

Karun, the longest, most affluent and the only navigable river of Iran located in this province. Karkheh River is the third largest river in Iran also flowed in this province. It may seem unbelievable that such a water-rich province has a problem not just with agricultural water supply but also with drinking water. Iran's largest dams have been put into operation at great expense in this province. The transfer of water from Karun tributaries to the arid regions of central Iran has caused Karun to dry up. This water is used for large steel industries in the centre of the country and for drinking water supply in the cities of this region.

Karkheh Dam (one of the largest embankment dams in the world) has caused the shrinkage of Hur al-Azim wetland (also known as Hawizeh Marshes). The drying up of this wetland has caused a dust crisis in the area, among other environmental consequences. The dust pollution has made the city of Ahvaz, the capital of Khuzestan province, recognized by the World Health Organization as one of the most polluted cities in the world, which has caused respiratory problems for the residents of this city. Gotvand Dam is one of the largest dams in the region, which is known as an environmental disaster since it was built on a salt dome. The sewage problem of Ahvaz is also one of the serious problems of the residents of this city.

Unsustainable development is the main cause of environmental problems in this region. All these problems, along with poverty, unemployment and discrimination, have caused public dissatisfaction among the residents of this region.

Other factors have complicated the problems of Khuzestan. For example, most of the inhabitants of this region are Arabs and Sunnis. Former Iranian President Ahmadinejad has said in a recent interview that the Iranian government is not investing in infrastructure in the region for fear of independence.

Unprecedented protests that began in Khuzestan have now spread to other cities in Iran. Meanwhile, people from other cities have also taken to the streets to protest injustice and support the people of Khuzestan. A serious security concern has arisen from these protests.

The problems of Khuzestan are a clear instance of mismanagement and environmental degradation. These issues also exist in other parts of the country, for example, the drying up of Lake Urmia.

What do you think is the scientific and practical solution to get out of these great crises?

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Hello,

I hope you have a good time.

I work on a research project about temperature indices. Due to the high number of indices, I only work on tables and maps on an annual time scale. In other words, I do most of my analysis for the annual time scale. Now I want to draw a box plot for studied indices. It should be noted that I have access to daily data. Do you think, for example, I should plot the average air temperature box plot using daily data or annual data?

Also in the case of precipitation, is the box plot better drawn from daily data or annual data?

I am waiting for your answer. Also, it would be great if you could introduce some reference.

Thanks in advance for your answer.