Majid Labbaf Khaneiki - International Center on Qanat and Historic Hydraulic Structures

Central Iran is an arid area where all agricultural systems as well as human civilizations have always depended on the groundwater mostly obtained through qanats, but lack of an integrated management has thrown our groundwater resources into disorder. This paper investigates the ways through which we can incorporate some traditional methods into our modern water management. In fact there are two important things we might learn from the tradition: 1- accurate systems for division of water 2- preservation of groundwater resources In central Iran, traditional knowledge provides informal education on water management that is passed from generation to generation. It concerns knowledge on division of water, maintenance of qanats and preservation of groundwater resources. This gives hope for the future, where both tradition and modernity can live side by side to promote our new water management.

Traditional water management, modernity, division of water, preservation of water, water resources, qanat, sustainable agriculture