Legal Aspects of Utilization and Management of Thermal Springs in Iran

Abstract

A host of hot springs is distributed in Iran. They are widespread in most of 31 provinces regarding the geological situation of Iran that is actually a mountainous country with an active tectonic system. Despite the great role of thermal springs in tradition and their baleonological utilization that even effect the economy of some provinces like Ardebil in North Western Parts of the country, there are no clear regulations to operate these water and energy resources. "The law of Fair distribution of water" is the main law in water sector in Iran that has been approved in 1982. Although this law authorizes The Ministry of Power to manage, there are still some ambiguities in terms of ownership, management and legal operation of these resources.