Abstract

The plain of Sistan is one of dry regions of world, with Mean annual rainfall rate of mm. The most important vital stream of this plain is the river of “Hirmand” which originates from “BaBa” Mountains of Afghanistan, that after passing a distance of 1100 k.m, pours in Hamoon lake in Iran-Sistan. The role of this river for the plain of Sistan is same as the role of “Nile” for Egypt. The present research shows that in wet years, the ground, under cultivation is 130000 Hectare. About 40000 families in more than 1000 rural settlements, earn their livelihood on this river. But this number of under cultivated surface decreased by 90 percent of the whole cultivatable area in recent droughts (1999-2008) during which the river of Hirmand has been dried completely. The rural inhabitants would be imposed to severe immigration, if there were not governmental support and informal activities such as fuel smuggle from Iran to Afghanistan and Forbidden import of dishes and textile products from Afghanistan to Iran.