By Yahya Al Salmani — MUSCAT: Feb 28 - Five Omani aflajs were included in the United Nations’ World Heritage List in 2006. The classification is an acknowledgement of the international stature of an irrigation system inherited culturally and created by Omanis more than 2,000 years ago.
While these five sites are among the top tourist destinations for visitors from all over the world, many archaeologists and environmentalists contend they should be “secured to avoid side-effects of tourism”.
At the same time, they thanked the Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources for its efforts in promoting these sites to the public and preserving them. This oldest engineering marvel in the region is still the main source of irrigation in the Sultanate.
It is a water supply system that most villages rely on across the country. The five aflajs are: Falaj Dares and Falaj Al Khatmain in Nizwa, Falaj Al Malki in Izki, Falaj Al Maisar in Al Rustaq and Falaj Al Ghailah in the Wilayat of Sur.
Falaj Dares, located in Nizwa, is one of the famous ‘Daudi Aflaj’ in Oman and the largest flaj in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate. It has two Saeids (arms) and its total length is 7,990 metres.
Falaj Al Khatmain is located in Niyabat Birkat Al Moz (Wilayat Nizwa). It is a ‘Daudi Aflaj’. The total length of the falaj’s reach is 2,450 metres. It has no arms. The wadi that feeds the falaj is Al Me’aidin Wadi, which flows from the Jabal Al Akhdhar mountain.
Ya’ariba Mosque is one of the historic landmarks in Birkat Al Moz built by Imam Sultan bin Saif bin Malik Al Ya’aribi in the 11th century AH. There is also the Bait Al Ridaidah Fort, another historical monument.
Falaj Khatmain passes inside the walls of the fort and near its small mosque providing ablution water for prayers and drinking water for the fort’s inhabitants.
Falaj Al Malki, located in Izki, is a ‘Daudi Aflaj’. It is the longest falaj at the governorate level, whose total length of the arms is 14,875 metres.
Al Maisar Falaj, located in Rustaq, ranks as a ‘Daudi Deep Aflaj’ and reaches to a depth of 50 metres below the ground level. Its length is 5,783 metres.
Al Ghailah Falaj is an ‘Aini Falaj’ located in the Al Ghilah village of Niyabat Tiwi (Wilayat Sur). The length of its canal is 161 metres.
It is characterised by its rise from the solid rocky area of limestone rocks. The falaj is known for its pure water.
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