Social and environmental issues - Case of the Euphrates and the Tigris rivers

Water conflicts can be explained by political, social and environmental facts.

Social

Conflicts between those states are closely linked to the rise of population which means increasing needs. The growth rate averages 2,5% a year in Syria, 1,3% a year in Turkey and 1,8% a year in Iraq.

Environmental

The Tigris and the Euphrates rivers are volatile : they often change course and flow irregularly. Consequently, the management of these rivers is very tough.

What is more, these rivers are used not only by private individuals but also by economic activities such as farms, factories…

Furthermore, the quality and the quantity of available water is reduced by the population growth, urbanization, industrialization and the lack of environmentally sensitive technology.

This can make us think about a new crucial issue ‘transboundary pollution’.

Water represents 1,3% of the Turkish area, 0,06% of the Syrian area, 1,1% of the Iraqi area [France : 0,26%].