In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful.
We warmly welcome H.E. Owais Ahmed Ghani, the honorable
governor of Balouchistan and the accompanying delegation.
Sistan & Balouchestan province lies on the south-east of the country and is
one of the largest provinces of Iran. This province borders on Soutern Khorasan
province & Afghanistan from the north, Pakistan & Afghanistan from the east,
Oman Sea from the south and kerman & Hormozgan provinces from the west.
The province extends from the beautiful lake Hamun in the north to the indigo
plain of the Oman Sea in the south. There are 10 cities in the province, Zahedan
is the centre of province. The most important cities are Zabol & Zahak in the
north and Khash, Iranshahr, Saravan, Sarbaz, Nikshahr, Chabahar and Konarak in
the south.
The area of the province is 187500 sq km 1600km joint border with Pakistan &
Afghanistan and 300km water border on the coast of Oman Sea.
It has a population of 2240000 people from different ethnic groups. The religion
of people here is Islam and both Shiite & Sunni Muslims live together. This land
is full of faith, faith in Islam. There is unity among believers like a mirror
reflecting the light of Islam. The province lies on the south-east of Iran with
two different structures. In the north Dasht- e- Sistan formed by Hirmand
alluvium holds the largest fresh water lake of the world as well as Khaje
Mountain. The 120-day winds are a distinguishing feature of this region. The
southern part is mostly mountainous with a variety of climates due to the
vicinity with Taftan Volcano & Oman Sea.
Lakes & Rivers
The most significant lakes are: Hamun, Jazmourian and Gowater.
Among the rivers Hirmand, Bampoor, Kajo, Sarbaz, and Kahir can be named as the
most important.
Mountains
The most famous mountains is: Mt. Taftan with a height of 4300m which once
was an active volcano and now is an interesting target for the climbers all over
the country. Other mountains are Mt Bazman, Birg, Malek Siah kooh and Mt Khaje.
History
The mythical land of Sistan & Balouchestan
consists of two regions: north & south. Sistan or Nimrouz extending over the the
northern part of the province is the birthplace of Rostam, the mythical hero of
Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh. This land was captured by Muslims in 602.
Balouchestan of today which forms the southern part of the province was called
Maka in the oldest historical documents and in 1928 the central government was
stabilized there.
Tourism
Beautiful sights of province from the Oman
sea to Lake Hamun have an interesting diversity in different seasons and can be
of tourists interest.
Among the tourist attractions are: Great ancient civilization of the Burnt
City(1000 years ….), Dahan-ey Gholaman and Chah Nime parks in the north, the
famous Taftan Peak and Haftad Molla Cemetery in the center, Bampoor, chehel
dokhtar and naseri Castles in Iranshahr and Seb Castle in Saravan.
In the town of Chabahar there are beautiful coasts of Oman Sea, Mud flows which
are wonders of the area and spread mud like lava in different seasons and the
tomb of Seyed Gholam Rasoul from Teimouri era.
Handicrafts
The special importance of handicrafts is
their role in creating jobs & producing income. Handicrafts stem from social and
personal characteristics of people. This is mostly done by women & girls in
rural areas. The most important handicrafts of the province are: Balouchi Needle
work, Rug & Carpet weaving, Coin sewing, Mat weaving, Pottery, Jewellery-
making, Turnery, Palas- weaving and silk work.
Music
Music in Sistan & Balouchestan is more
prominent than in other prtovinces and has always been a source of energy for
the people of this area. Instruments like: Qeichak, Robab, Banjo, Tanburak,
Doholak and percussion instruments like: Tasht & Kuzeh show the variety of
instruments in this area. Of the other different types of music war music,
chamber music, Gnostic & feast music can be named.
Technical-Vocational Training Centers
The number of the province’s permanent
Technical-vocational training centers are presently 40. The centers are
well-equipped and there are more than 100 majors and 105 training work shops.
232 private institutes are also active.
Higher Education
More than 45000 students study in 25 higher
education centers among them the most important are: sis& bal university with
engineering, human studies &literature and art colleges, Zabol university,
Sis&Bal school of Medical sciences in zahedan & zabol, Chabahar university of
nautical studies, Islamic Azad university, Payam- e- Noor university &Intl.
University of Chabahar.
Treatment & Sanitation
In terms of sanitation and treatment, there
are 14 hospitals with more than 2200 beds & 50medical centers and medical
universities in Zabol & Zahedan. The ophthalmology and surgical centers of
Zahedan are active throughout the region. Fighting contagious diseases,
monitoring public sanitation, checking water quality and colorizing, poison
spraying, protecting special disease patients, vaccination and family planning
are measures being taken vastly and effectively due to the province being
located on the border line.
Libraries
There are more than 50 large libraries with
357000 books in the province.
Sport
After the victory of Islamic Revolution sport
equipment and facilities have been given special attention. In this regard 60000
sqm indoor & outdoor sport places with the capacity of 20000 persons a day have
been built. Native sports have also been revived and are done in special
occasions.
Air transport
Air transport is particularly important
because of the distance of the province from the capital and other parts of the
country. There are 4 airports in the province with International flights.
Zahedan Intl. airport, Zabol , Iranshahr and Chabahar airports set schedules and
share in the country’s air transport.
Railway
Railway from Zahedan to QUITA is currently
active , and will be connected to Kerman railway in near future. So, connection
between Asia &Europe will be possible.
Marine transport
Among the most significant marine transport
potentials of the province for the transfer of cargo and passengers are Shahid
Beheshti &Shahid kalantari Quays and the Martyrs of Haftom-e-Tir Quay which are
all along the coast line of the Oman sea . The existence of Chabahar Free Zone
and the most economical route for the transit of cargo to Middle Asian countries
have added to this importance.
Roads
More than 6000Km asphalted roads make
connection between cities in & out of province possible.
Electricity
Iranshahr steam power-station & Konarak &
Zahedan gas power-stations produce 1400000 million KW energy per hour. Meanwhile
through 230-kw lines of Jakigoor – Pishin and 20-kw lines of Jalq- Mirjave the
required electricity of parts of Pakistan is supplied. Of the most prominent
achievements in this regard is the connection of the province electricity
network to the country’s overall electricity network in 2001.
Water
Water for drinking, agriculture, and industry
is supplied through two ways in the province: surface and subterranean. Surface
sources are the 6 permanent rivers Sistan, Shirdel, Golmir in Sistan and Ladiz,
Bampour,Sarbaz in Balouchestn. Water for agriculture in Sistan is supplied
through river Hirmand and un the time of water shortage through half well
reservoirs having capacity of about 660 million cubic m. The drinking water for
Zabol and about 850 villages surrounding it, is at the present supplied through
half well reservoirs. The surface water utilization of Balouchestn is done
through Bampoor Deviational dam in Iranshahr and Pishin dam in Chabahar.
Information & Communication Technology
Internet capacity in the province is 155Mbps.
The number of users is 856000 and the length of the light fiber is 3000 Km.
Industry & Mining
Industry is new to the province. Efforts have
been done and tax, customs and financial motivations have caused more industrial
investment, new projects, new producing jobs and improvement of industry.
The most important factories are:
- Khash cement factory with production of 2600 tons cement daily and three other
cement factories under construction.
- Cotton cloth &Fishing net weaving factories and the Brick factory can be named
as well.
The province has important geological and
metal mineral potentials such as: Chrome, copper, granite, antimony, talc,
manganese, iron, lead, zinc, tin, nickel, platinum, gold & silver.
Agriculture
Owing to its potential in the north& the
south, the province has a long history in agriculture. Sistan was once called
Iran’s granary. The most important agricultural products are: wheat, alfalfa,
corn, vegetables, henna & garden products, dates, citrus, pistachio, grape,
banana, mango, papaya, and olive. The province ranks first in the country with
regard to the amount of tropical and semi- tropical products and citrus.
Fish Farming
Due to the special geographical and climatic
conditions and adjacency to the vast waters of Oman and Indian Ocean, benefiting
from 10 fishing ports, and with its quays and fishing platforms the province is
very suitable for fisheries activities in the country. In 10 fishing ports the
amount of annual fishing is more than 150000 tons a year.
Cattle
The cattle of the province are the main
source of animal protein& consist of many types and breeds of cattle. Three
important cattle breeds which are the main breeds of province are: Sistani cow,
Dashtyari Cow & Balouchi sheep which are known all over the country.
Commerce
Considering its historical background and
being on the big roads of the world’s commerce, Sistan & Balouchestan province
benefits from special importance in commerce as the dominating factor in the
region. The free commercial and industrial zone of Chabahar is one of the strong
points of the province. Free Zone has been built adjacent to Shahid Beheshti &
Shahid Kalantari ports with an area of 14000 hectors of which 10000 hectors is
industrial and the rest is allotted to commerce and services. The transit
highway from Chabahar to Milak , mirjave &Milak borders have made good condition
for commercial activities here.
Border Markets
5 border markets of the 7 approved are
currently active in: Mirjave, Koohak, Pishin, Jalq and Milak. Border markets of
Pasa Bandar, Gamshad and Rimdan are under construction. For the time being,
annually a considerable volume of goods is exchanged at Iran-Pakistan border via
these markets. The rate of exchanged items between the two neighboring countries
within the past 11 months of the current year is as follows:
Exporting different kinds of industrial, agricultural and petroleum products
from Zahedan customs: 201,651 tons with a value of 73.5 million dollars
From Mirjave customs: 1814 tons with a value of 23 million dollars,
From kohak market: 6148 tons with a value of 3 million dollars and from Pishin
18634 tons with a value of 3.6million dollars. Importing items including:
Chataie rice and other goods rates 167438 tons with a value of 51 million
dollars.
|
