The Wilayat of Izki organised the second edition of the “Izki Through History” symposium at the Izki Public Hall on Monday, where the importance of the aflaj and their economic and social impact were discussed, in addition to the challenges facing these ancient water systems. According to statistics, Izki has 114 aflaj, 8,116 registered wells and 2,035 agricultural holdings. Of these, 50 aflaj are considered dead and need revival.
The Maliki Falaj is the most prominent of these aflaj, as it is a Unesco World Heritage Site. Sultan bin Hilal al Alawi, Wali of Izki, said: “Agriculture in Izki is not just an economic activity but rather an extended history and an Omani identity passed down through generations. The falaj is a symbol of the connection between man and nature.”
Dr Abdullah bin Saif al Ghafri, Chair holder of the Unesco Chair for the Study of Aflaj, said: “Aflaj are not just water channels, but an Omani identity and a way of life, and Maliki Falaj in Izki is a prominent example of the sustainability of these systems.”
Despite maintenance, some aflaj are suffering from deterioration. According to Dr Al Ghafri, most of Falaj Al Sahamah has been transformed into a place for dumping waste. Estimated to be over 800 years old, it was dug underground by traditional methods to provide water for agriculture and cattle. It is the largest irrigation tank in the Arab world and is in the form of a complete circle. The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism and the University of Nizwa are currently protecting this falaj.
Dr Masoud al Hadhrami and Dr Ahmed al Azizi gave a presentation on the heritage related to date palms across generations in Omani society. Dr Khalifa bin Mohammed al Kindi, Assistant Professor at the Unesco Chair in Palm Studies at the University of Nizwa, also participated with a research paper on the Ommatissus Iybicus Bergevin insect in date palms. He said there is a strong relationship between the spread of palm parasites and a number of variables such as the density of palm trees, the distance between them, the use of pesticides, pruning and irrigation systems.
The symposium was accompanied by an exhibition displaying farm products such as dates, honey and saplings, highlighting the need to preserve agricultural heritage and enhance the local economy.
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