Qanats - Viens of the Desert
Qanats - Veins of the Desert
The veins of the desert are drying!
The ancient qanat or kariz system use to tap alluvial aquifers at valley heads and transfer the water by gravity along subterranean tunnels, often over a distance of many kilometres to the downstream users.?
Currently, this system is practised in more than 20 countries around the globe, Iran with the most functional number of the Qanat system, followed by Afghanistan.
It's considered one of the most sustainable ways to exploit groundwater without putting any pressure on it.?In addition, qanats provide exceptional evidence of cultural traditions and civilizations in dry desert regions.?
However, the functionality of Qanat systems has been constantly decreasing due to anthropogenic activities such as a rise in privately owned tube wells, urbanization and change in land use and land cover particularly in the recharge areas.??
What practices could bring back this eco-friendly ancient technique of groundwater extraction??
Share your thoughts!?
Water Assurance | Water Stewardship | Water Certifications & Sustainability | Water - nature based | Environmental Awareness | Chartered Environmentalist, MIEMA |
1 年Maybe the access points can be monitored to ensure responsible extraction.
Consultor internacional independiente en hidrología y recursos hídricos
1 年@
Agriculture Specialist at the World Bank
1 年?????...