(“We look forward the addition to World Heritage List of the Sultanate’s Aflaj Irrigation System at the forthcoming meeting of the Heritage Committee in 2006. The falaj is a unique and important water source that has made a major contribution to Omani society throughout its history. Not only is it regarded as one of the most historical sites in Oman, but it represents the ability of Omanis to build civilizations in the face of severe challenges and, at the same time, enriching the world’s heritage through their intellectual and creative endeavors.")

Qaboos Bin Said
Sultan Oman
14th October 2005

During its 30th session held in the Republic of Lithuania in July 2006, the World Heritage Committee, under UNESCO, adopted the inscription of five Omani aflaj in the World Heritage List in acknowledgement of the international stature of this unique water system that represents a cultural heritage designed by Omanis more than two thousand years ago. The Region's oldest irrigation system is still the main source of irrigation in Oman and a water resource upon which most towns and villages in Oman depend. There is rarely a similar system elsewhere in the world.
Five aflaj earned this international acknowledgment, namely: Falaj Daris in Willayat Nizwa, Falaj Al-Khatmeen in Niabat Birkat Al-Moaz in Willayat Nizwa, Falaj Al-Malaki in Willayat Izki, Falaj Al-Mayssar in Willayat Al-Rustaq and Falaj Al-Jeela in Willayat Sur, in response to the Royal Invitation of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said to the UNESCO in its sixtieth anniversary. This invitation is an expression of the Royal Concern of His Majesty towards the preservation of this ancient heritage as a pristine part of Omani society as well as towards introducing to the world the innovative creations and multiple contributions of Oman in building a human civilization that has formed the conscience of the nation and the essence of its awareness and culture throughout history.

The five aflaj inscribed in the international list are an integral part of ancient history with many archaeological features along their channels, such as old watchtowers, forts and houses. The aflaj were selected according to UNESCO criteria in terms of identifying the aflaj historical significance, location, area, management approach, protection and conservation measures and development potentials.

Inscribing these aflaj alongside other Omani sites in the World Heritage List makes Oman's world renowned tourist attractions even more famous and qualifies them to hold a prominent position in the world of global tourism, not to mention diversifying sources of national income and creating myriad job and investment opportunities. Moreover, this global event will help strengthen collaboration ties and efforts between the Sultanate of Oman and the UNESCO in the protection, development and utilization of this cultural heritage for many decades to come.

Introduction

Aflaj are an important heritage that illustrates the diligence and determination of the Omani people in building a civilization and enriching global human heritage. This unique water system gave a boost to agriculture in Oman, which represents, alongside fishing, a heritage that enabled Omanis to establish an inveterate civilization throughout centuries and provided subsistence for generations who survived in harsh climatic and environmental conditions.

Aflaj rise from within mountains, flowing down in channels like waterfalls and passing through vast hills and plains to bring life to land and spread greenness and foliage all around.

Aflaj date back more than two thousand years, during which Omanis developed special tools and means that enabled them to maintain these aflaj and create new ones that meet the growing subsistence demands and the development of agriculture which has always been an important part of Oman's economy despite being short on rainfall. Providing fresh water has been a major challenge faced by Omani generations who insisted on overcoming any obstacles to preserve the cherished heritage of agriculture.

Falaj Structure and Utilization

A falaj consists of a main channel extended from the aflaj source, locally known as "Um Al-Falaj". This channel often exists in mountains and stretches long or short distances depending on the location of the falaj and the village it irrigates. The channel carries water to subsidiary channels that mostly exist within the target village.

The main channels were designed in a unique way where two basic with two fundamental considerations; lowering financial costs and avoiding the use of mechanical instruments to carry water. Thus, all of these channels are noticeably sloped to a certain degree, streaming from the groundwater source all the way down to villages and branching out through the small channels to irrigate groves and trees and supply the locals with drinking water.

Once a falaj starts running, it never dries up, no matter how hot or dry the weather gets, because the massive water pockets that hold about 90% of rainwater inside rocky layers constantly feed the falaj.
A falaj can run as long as several kilometers. The depth of the aflaj main well reaches 65 to 200 feet. The falaj system is basically built to carry groundwater from elevated areas down to the target sites, which is clear evidence of the skillfulness and expertise of Omanis in setting up this unique engineering system that requires applying special techniques given the fact that the terrain of most Omani mountains is rocky and unleveled.

In a medium-size falaj water flows at a rate of 9 gallons per second, an amount sufficient for irrigating large areas of agricultural lands on a permanent basis. Falaj water is distributed to the adjacent farms and groves according to a special approved system based on two main elements: time and amount of water.

The time-based water distribution system operates in limited temporal units: "Al-Athar", which equals half an hour, "Al-Ruba'a", which equals three hours, "Al-Bada", which equals twelve hours or 24 Athars and "Al-Qama", which equal seven and a half minutes. A sundial was used in the past to time each cycle.

Falaj water is used on priority. For example, drinking water is taken at the source, followed by washing (bathing) areas that consist of separate rooms. Mosques get ablution water directly from the falaj, which then extends through groves and farms for irrigation as agreed upon by their owners. Portions are divided among individuals and partners according to their hard work and contribution. The portions can also be hereditary, that is the ownership is transferred from the falaj owner upon his death to his offspring.

The sizes of Omani aflaj vary from a falaj that serves one or two families to those that cater for thousands of residents. Small aflaj can be managed by one person who handles all of the administrative work on a daily or annual basis, while large aflaj require the partnership of all the locals.

The management structure of aflaj can be divided into two main groups according to the amount of implemented work: the first group is called the upper management of falaj workers, and the second group is called "Al-Baidara", or the workers who carry out manual labor.

According to the results of the national aflaj inventory project, there are 4112 aflaj distributed throughout the Regions of Oman. 3017 are live (active) aflaj. The government is providing the necessary support and state-of-the-art technology for the maintenance and renewal of aflaj which are considered one of the main sources of irrigation water in Oman.

The Aflaj Inscribed in the World Heritage List

The inscription of Falaj Daris and Falaj Al-Khatmeen in Willayat Nizwa, Falaj Al-Malaki in Willayat Izki, Falaj Al-Mayssar in Willayat Al-Rustaq and Falaj Al-Jeela in Willayat Sur in the world heritage List is not only restricted to the falaj channel, but also includes the location and the surrounding ancient monuments, buildings, farms, industries and other on-site activities.

These five aflaj were inscribed in the World Heritage List based on the following criteria:

1. These aflaj are very old in structure in terms of the water channels and the beams carrying them as well as the engineering techniques by which the aflaj were excavated and the water was located and extracted from ground depths, a process that is nowadays very costly and cannot be done without using the latest in advanced technology.
   
2. These aflaj gave rise to an ancient civilization made up of residential settlements in the falaj geographical vicinity and created from times of old human activities like agriculture along with different kinds of food and vocational industries that still persist to this current day.
   
3. Long ago, these aflaj brought about a system of social solidarity and local management of water and farms that still exists to this day. Aflaj created a sense of collaboration among society since the days of our ancestors and up to this day. Realizing that aflaj are the backbone of life and stability, the locals made sure to come up with efficient ways for the preservation and management of aflaj.
   
4. Many ancient monuments, like forts and old buildings, as well as some industries (Sarooj) were mainly created around aflaj.

The inscription of theses five aflaj in the World Heritage List is important because:

1. The world will come to know about the falaj system in the Sultanate of Oman along with the ancient Omani civilization born around the aflaj.
   
2. Monetary, technical and scientific contributions can be obtained from around the world to help preserve the sustainability of these aflaj and maintain their world heritage status.
   
3. The sites of these aflaj can be economically utilized through eco-tourism that will undoubtedly give rise to economic and commercial projects and therefore benefit falaj residents in particular and all members of the Omani society in general.
   
4. These aflaj are now in the spotlight and have grabbed local and global attention, which will help in their protection, development and sustainability.

In November 2006, the Advisory Tender for the Development and Management of the Aflaj Inscribed in the World Heritage List was put up for bidding. It aims at:

• Describing each of the five sites in terms of topography, population, establishments and the different kinds of existing activities.
  
• Illustrating the traditional, historic, social and economic value of these aflaj.
  
• Defining the obstacles and pressures that affect the archaeological value of these sites.
  
• Preparing a plan for the development and preservation of the existing ancient buildings and monuments as well as the traditional water distribution system.
  
• Preparing a management plan on how to develop each site to meet tourism requirements.
  
• Preparing an awareness plan that aims at educating the public on the traditional significance of these aflaj and how important it is to cooperate in protecting them.