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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A picturesque village that is a popular tourist attraction in western Iran is on the verge of being completely abandoned as its population migrates to cities in search of basic services like water and electricity.
'Dolaw village once had 300 households, but due to a lack of facilities and resources, only 20 remain. Unfortunately, these remaining families may also be forced to leave, potentially leading to the village's complete abandonment,' village resident Nariman Karam Waisa told Rudaw.
Dolaw, meaning 'the valley of water,' is located 42 kilometers from Sanandaj, within the Hawraman region of Kurdistan province. Nestled in the rugged mountains, the village is renowned for its distinctive stepped architecture, believed to date back to the pre-Islamic era.
Villagers say a lack of basic services such as roads, water, and electricity, as well as declining sources of income are the primary reasons they are leaving.
'We don't have electricity or telecommunications, and we can't afford the water bill. Even the water, we only have it for one hour a day, when the village councilor comes and gives us access, and then it's cut off again. Out of 24 hours, we only have access to water for one hour each day,' said villager Seifulla Mohammadpour.
Iran has experienced drought conditions for the past several years and President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Thursday that the country could soon be facing a water crisis. 'If we do not control and manage water consumption, there will be no water left behind the dams in September and October, and we will face serious problems,' he said.
Dolaw exemplifies the rural decline in Kurdistan province, where many villages are sparsely populated and people are moving into the cities.
While many Iranians are facing economic hardship under years of harsh sanctions, the problem is compounded in the Kurdish regions in the west of the country that have been chronically underdeveloped with limited job opportunities and a lack of government investment.
Though the residents of Dolaw are being forced to abandon their homes, the village remains a popular spot for tourists.
'Due to the growth of tourism and the presence of four rural tour operators here, it's getting very crowded. Unfortunately for the local residents, we are forced to leave and move to nearby cities, while people from Tehran, Isfahan, and other cities continue to visit the area,' said villager Mostafa Mohammadpour.
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