Hamun Explained

Hamun should not be confused with Hamun Lake.

A hamun (or hamoun) (fa|هامون hāmūn) refers to inland desert lakes or marshlands, formed as natural seasonal reservoirs in areas adjoining the Helmand basin, found across eastern Iran, southern Afghanistan and western Pakistan.^[1] They form a critical link in the wildlife of the area, aquatic as well as avian and terrestrial.

The better-known hamuns include:

• Hamun-e Helmand, Afghanistan and Iran
  • Hamun Lake, Iran and Afghanistan
• Hamun-e Jaz Murian, Iran
• Hamun-e Mashkel or Mashkid, Balochistan mainly in Pakistan and border.
• Hamun-e Puzak, Afghanistan
• Hamun-e Saberi in Sistan, straddling Iran-Afghanistan border
• Hamun Zeheh, Goad-i Zereh or Godzareh Depression, Afghanistan

Notes and References

1. Web site: Whitney . John . Geology, Water, and Wind in the Lower Helmand Basin . U.S. Geological Survey . 2006 . 2010-08-31.