- Chakhansur
Chakhansur is a sparcely inhabitated district near Nimroz (Nimruz) / Zaranj in
Nimruz Province inAfganistan . It's population is approximately 406. The economy is primarily based on agriculture and the necessary water for irrigation is dependent on the status of theSistan Basin , anendorheic basin which periodically becomes dry.This area of Afghanistan was a major
medieval cultural hub on theSilk Road but most ancient structures are now covered by sand.Signs of historical irrigation systems, including canals, are still visiblein the Chakhansur area while elsewherecanals are filled withsilt and agricultural fields buriedby shifting sand. Today the area is relatively sparsely populated. There continue to be problems with water control and periodic flooding and drought. [cite web
url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/EVIU-6A9D45?OpenDocument
title=Floods kill three, destroy 300 houses in western Afghanistan
publisher=
accessdate=2007-07-31] cite web
url=http://postconflict.unep.ch/publications/sistan.pdf
title=History of Environmental Change in the Sistan Basin 1976 - 2005
publisher=
accessdate=2007-07-20] [cite web
url=http://www.iwlearn.net/iw-projects/Fsp_112799470223
title=Restoration, Protection and Sustainable Use of the Sistan Basin
publisher=
accessdate=2007-07-20] Currently the Chakhansur farmers are experiencing a severe and long term drought. Even with help from the World Food Program, many have abandoned their homes, perhaps as many as 20,000, to search for water and jobs. [cite web
url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/12/17/MNGLJACFR91.DTL
title=Afghans dig in, but losing ground to 7-year drought - 37 percent of population can't meet basic needs
publisher=San Francisco Chronicle
accessdate=2007-07-31]Footnotes
External links
* [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/AF/19/Chakhansur.html Chakhansur, Afghanistan Page]
* [http://www.tageo.com/index-e-af-v-19-d-m4790531.htm Satellite view of Chakhansur] ]
* [http://www.worldcitydb.com/chakhansur_9291489.html Shows Chakhansur proximity to Sistan Basin]
* [http://visibleearth.nasa.gov/view_rec.php?id=16549 Dust storm over Afghanistan and Pakistan]
* [http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Study/hamoun/ From Wetland to Wasteland: The Destruction of the Hanoum Oasis] ⋅
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