Water scarcity is a critical challenge in the Middle East. Historical analysis of case
studies indicates that decades of water mismanagement and weak environmental
planning play substantial roles in the water crisis. This paper illustrates the conflict
between rapid development policies on the one hand and non-sustainable water
resource management on the other in Rafsanjan Township, Iran over the period
1986–2014. Secondary literature and government reports are used to analyze the
general environmental changes and responsive actions of government. A time
series analysis of Landsat images illustrates the effect of economic development
policies that have stimulated the expansion of pistachio orchards. Some possible
responses based on a long-term socio-ecological resilient planning approach may
provide some solutions, but will require a substantial rethinking of current policies
and water management practices.