Muscat, Nov 13 - The Al Sa’ara Falaj, which had suffered extensive damage, is set to get a fresh lease of life, thanks to the efforts of the local community in the Governorate of Al Buraimi.
The locals have managed to complete 80 per cent of the maintenance work on the falaj, which extends to about 6,000 metres. They have been working on the project for a year now.
In order to implement this task, citizens have been coordinating with several official agencies, including the Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources.
The effort underlines the importance of community members in preserving one of the key water sources in the Sultanate.
In a further step, the locals aim to establish a museum and a small traditional souq and a ‘handcrafts village’ that highlights the relationship between humans and the aflaj system.
The local community is also looking at wooing tourists at the site and having specialists to explore it.
The falaj will also have a proper gate, lighting and CCTV. The maintenance team is also concerned about its safety.
Falaj is a unique water system that represents a cultural legacy that is more than 2,000 years’ old, perhaps the oldest irrigation structure in the region.
Many ‘falajs’, including Al Sa’ara, have been damaged and need repairs. “Falajs are still a major source of irrigation in the Sultanate and a water source that can be relied upon in most villages.
YAHYA AL SALMANI
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