The Falaj

Overview

Aflaj (singular: Falaj) are traditional man-made channels, found both above and below ground, used to collect groundwater, spring water and surface water and transport it, by gravity, to a demand area. Historically, they provided the main source of drinking and irrigation water to oasis settlements, but nowadays, their primary purpose is to supply irrigation water for farms.

There are three types of aflaj: Aini, Dawoodi, and Ghaili.

Aini Aflaj water sources are invariably springs which develop due to impervious bedrock exposures.
Dawoodi aflaj are subterranean and are constructed channels which are accessed via vertical shafts known as thaqba. Their source is a mother hand dug well which feeds the main channel by gravity.
The Ghaili falaj is a channel which is fed by bunding and diversion of a surface water supply, most often an active wadi bed or a spring.

Threats

For the last 3,000 years or so aflaj have provided for sustainable agriculture and civilisation in the UAE. However, today, very few aflaj have natural flow due to declining groundwater tables from overpumping of wells. We need to act now and preserve the remaining resources of freshwater if we want to maintain our life as we know it today and also protect the abundance of wildlife and natural resources in and around our freshwater sources.

What you can do?

In 2019, the falaj restoration and water resource protection project was completed highlighting the value of water in UAE. The heritage trail was established to feature the linkage between sustainable farming and irrigation techniques that have been part of this nation’s history from before its inception.