With the commencement of water collection at the Pashdan Dam, this dam, located 15 kilometers east of Herat city, has transformed into a major tourist destination.
Thousands of people from Herat and other provinces visit the dam daily to see its water.
“I have come from Faryab, and this is a very good place for recreation. It is very crowded here, and we are happy,” Fazl Rahman, a resident of Faryab, told TOLOnews.
“In past years, such a place was a dream, and no one thought it would become a spot for people from other provinces and even the farthest corners of Afghanistan to visit,” said Ahmad Shah Nadiri, a resident of Herat.
The process of water collection at the Pashdan Dam began about a month ago. Due to its proximity to Herat city, it has attracted considerable attention from residents.
Mohammad Arif Achakzai, the manager of the Pashdan Dam project, said: “Pashdan Dam has no equal in Herat in terms of recreation. Its location, land, and beauty make it unparalleled in Herat. No matter how many people come here, there is ample space and vast land.”
According to project officials, the final work on the dam is ongoing and will be completed within a few months. They added that Pashdan Dam is set to become a major recreational area in Herat.
The establishment of restaurants, shops, and other facilities in the dam area is considered crucial for attracting domestic and foreign tourists.
“When the dam becomes a recreational spot for people, it naturally carries economic appeal. This means many people will work there—running restaurants, managing hotels, boating, and engaging in other water-related activities. This dam will attract both domestic and foreign tourists,” said Mohammad Rafiq Shahir, head of the Herat Experts Council.
In addition to storing 54 million cubic meters of water, the Pashdan Dam has the capacity to irrigate 13,000 hectares of agricultural land and produce two megawatts of electricity.
