| has gloss | eng: The Sistan Basin is an inland endorheic basin encompassing large parts of south-western Afghanistan and south-eastern Iran, one of the driest regions in the world and an area subjected to prolonged droughts. Its watershed is a system of rivers flowing from the highlands of Afghanistan into freshwater lakes and marshes and then to its ultimate destination: Afghanistans saline Godzareh depression, part of the extensive Sistan terminal basin. The Helmand River drains the basins largest watershed, fed mainly by snowmelt from the mountains of Hindu Kush, but other rivers contribute also. Ecological importance Since the economy of the region is based on agriculture, subsistence depends on snowmelt and rainfall in the high mountains to sustain the health of the Sistan Basin and its wetlands. This source of water severely fluctuates over time and therefore has resulted in fundamental problems of survival for human settlements in the area. A severe drought began at the turn of twenty-first century and as of 2005 has lasted six years with extreme consequences for the populations. |
