جمعيت و كمبود آب در خاورميانه و شمال آفريقا

POPULA TIONAND THE DEFICIENCY OF WA TER IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA.

Water is the important factor in securing human health, and is a great source for food materials and one of the factors for economic growth Only 3% of all the waters of the earth is fresh water, 7% of which is in the form of ice and icebergs and therefore not useable. Middle East and North Africa are areas of least water reserve on the earth. Natural factors as droughts and lack of water reserves are original factors of water deficiency. To this, rapid population growth is a factor intensifying it. The increase of population during years 1970 to 2000 from 173 million to 386 million in this area indicates this fact. Population growth usually increases the demand for water in all economic sectors including agriculture, industry and household consumption. Trade of water is an important help to meet the deficiency of water in this area taking into consideration the ecosystem equilibrium of course. This is accepted that laws and rules concerning water and soil, also social and municipal laws and regulations and existing regimes of laws sometimes ruins and deteriorates the water infra-structure. These issues should deeply be taken into consideration. Urgent measures are to be taken and with population increase, the underground reserves of water should be enhanced accompanying with adoption of long term strategies to reduce water demands.