"Kal Shor of Nishapur" was once a flowing river and a habitat for aquatic life and migratory birds. However, today, water no longer runs through its path. Drought and waste accumulation have transformed this place into a lifeless and polluted space. After years, this dried-up river has become a refuge for people who search through the waste, hoping to find something valuable to sustain their livelihoods. During a few hours spent in this location, instead of migratory birds, I encountered migrant humans who had come from the outskirts of the city. Among them, a little girl named Hediyeh caught my attention. Hediyeh, a 5- or 6-year-old girl, has her entire life confined to this place, where waste not only serves as a source of income for her and her family but also defines her small world. She spends her days with her parents and grandmother—all of whom are addicted to drugs—searching for her favorite dolls among the garbage. These images not only portray the environmental ugliness and tragedy but also tell the story of a child whose dreams lie buried within the trash. Instead of school, play, and friends, her limited world revolves around her family, polluted syringes, and endless waste.
