An Analysis of the Relationship between Instability of Agricultural Water Resources and Rural Development(Case Study: Rural Settlements of Zayandeh-Rud Basin Downstream)

Water is a major concern forsustainable development in thetwenty-first century, as the expertsbelieve that water issues willbecome a major crisis in theupcoming years, even as a worldwar over water. Instability of water resources asdrought or water shortage has affected manycountries throughout history, especially the aridregions and has many damages and consequences inthe economic, social and environmental aspects.Zayandeh-Rud basin in central Iran is a region withwater problems. Zayandehrood River that originatesfrom the Zardkuh Bakhtiary Mountain is the mostimportant river of the region for the development ofagriculture, and a supply for heavy industry and alsodrinking water sectors and is also very important inall of economic activities. Climate instability inrecent decades and the ever-increasing usage of theriver over time have led to the instability ofagricultural water resources or droughts in recentyears. Instability of agricultural water resources hasconsequences in economic, social, political andecological aspects, especially in rural settlements.This study focuses on environmental, economic, andsocial consequences of instability of agriculturalwater resources or drought in rural settlements of subareaof Zayandeh-Rud River (eastern part of Isfahan) andits relationship with rural development in the study area.