“Old is Gold”- Khariz for Sustainable Water Supplies

By Dr. C. Inayatullah, Email: inayat.undp@gmail.com

Kahrizes, also known as qanats, are an ancient water management system that has been crucial in arid regions of the Middle East, Central Asia, and parts of North Africa. These subterranean tunnels, designed to transport water from aquifers to surface areas for irrigation and drinking, represent one of the most innovative solutions to water scarcity in history. The use of kahrizes dates back over 3,000 years, with the earliest examples believed to have been developed by the Persians in ancient Iran. The advantage of kharizes is that [i] there is no need any external energy [e.g., fuel, electricity] to pump out water; [ii] no overexploitation of groundwater; [iii] low maintenance and if maintained these function for centuries; and [iv] water quality is excellent.

In the past, kahrizes were critical for sustaining agriculture in regions that otherwise could not support large populations. By enabling the cultivation of crops in otherwise inhospitable environments, kahrizes helped foster the development of complex societies. The water transported by kahrizes supported the growth of ancient cities and contributed to the prosperity of these civilizations.

The Structure and Function of Kahrizes

A kahriz consists of a series of vertical shafts connected by a gently sloping underground tunnel system. These tunnels tap into natural groundwater sources, allowing water to flow to the surface through gravity. The system is designed to minimize evaporation, which is especially important in regions with high temperatures and limited rainfall. The design of the kahriz is particularly suited to transporting water over long distances, making it an invaluable resource for communities located far from surface water sources.

The construction of kahrizes requires significant expertise, as these must be built with precise gradients to ensure that water flows efficiently without the need for pumps or mechanical assistance. The shafts, often dug by hand, are spaced at regular intervals, allowing workers to monitor and maintain the tunnels. The kahriz system also typically features “catchment” areas to collect rainwater, which further enhances its capacity to supply water throughout the year.

Historical Significance and Use

Kahrizes are traditional sources of water that exist throughout much of the Middle East, and extend into North Africa, Spain, and South Asia. Kharizes were in use by the start of the first millennium BC and archaeological studies report dates of 300–1000 BC for the earliest kahrizes in the UAE, Oman, and Iran^[1]. The use of kahrizes spread across many regions, from the Persian Empire to ancient Greece and Rome, and later to the Arabian Peninsula, Central Asia, and North Africa. Within the arid and semi-arid regions of Iran, these were the major sources of perennial water until the mid-twentieth century when these became increasingly less important with the advent of modern engineering projects and the advent of motorized pumping allowing access to deeper water sources^[2].

Kahrizes are present throughout all of Iran, and it is estimated that there are 22,000 functioning kahrizes transporting water for over 270,000 km of underground tunnels^[3], whilst other estimates place the number of kahrizes as high as 36,000^[4].

Kahrizes in Azerbaijan

The author undertook a mission to Azerbaijan to evaluate an integrated kahriz project funded by IOM and some observations on the role of kahrizes for sustainable water supplies in Azerbaijan are reported in this article. Azerbaijan has a network of kahrizes, which has existed since the 1^st century BC and was widespread in Ganja, Garabagh, Ordubad, Nakhchivan, and Baku.

During 1930s, there were about 800 kahrizes in Azerbaijan^[5]. The length of kahriz systems in Azerbaijan in the 19^th century was about 2,500 km^[6]. These are widespread in Nakhichevan, Garabagh and Ganja. More than 72,500 hectares of arable land in Azerbaijan was irrigated annually with kahriz water^[7]. However, due to installation of motorized pumps to pump out more water during the soviet era, the interest of local communities in kahrizes deteriorated resulting in abandoning of this centuries old water supply system.

According to estimates, in 1938, there were 885 officially registered kahrizes in Azerbaijan, and water availability from those was 13,354 cubic meter / sec. This is about 419.42 million cubic meter per year^[8]. Currently, 353 kahrizes are operating in Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic [NAR]; 151 are in Sharur, 80 in Babek, 71 in Ordubad, 28 in Julfa, 8 in Shahbuz Regions and 15 in Nakhchivan city. The number of wells in these hydrotechnical facilities is 3,671, the total length of tunnels is 142.36 kilometers, and the total water discharge is 2,003 liter/second, which is enough for irrigating 1,800 ha of land^[9].

It is documented that prior to occupation of area by Armenia, the water obtained from kahrizes was 64.333 million cubic meters per year from 98 kahrizes in Aghdam Region, 19.016 million cubic meters from 71 kahrizes in Fuzuli Region, 34.658 million cubic meters from 111 kahrizes in Jabrayil Region, 4.225 million cubic meters from 52 canals in the mountainous part of Garabagh and Eastern Zangazur^[10]. However, due to lack of maintenance of kahrizes in this region water supplies have drastically reduced.

Water Shortages in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan is in an arid zone, and water shortage is one of the main problems that rural population faces. Compared to other countries in the South Caucasus, Azerbaijan’s water resources are limited, and climate change, the effects of which are fast unfolding in Azerbaijan, is likely to amplify water availability issues in the country^[11],^[12].

Azerbaijan has two major rivers [Kur and Aras], the origin of which is in Türkiye. With the construction of dams in Türkiye, and further utilization of water resources in Türkiye, Georgia, and Armenia for agriculture, supply of water to Azerbaijan is reducing over time. The Government of Azerbaijan [GoA] has taken several initiatives in cooperation with other countries to jointly manage the watershed of rivers and resolve the transboundary water issues, but it is feared that with the fast unfolding of climate change effects in the region, the water supplies to Azerbaijan will reduce. Thus, it is important for GoA to revive its centuries old kahriz system to meet the water requirements.

Mahmedov et al. [2009]^[13] studied the weather data from 40 stations in Azerbaijan spanning the time interval 1961-2006, and concluded that In recent years, concurrent with a universal rise in average yearly air temperature on the territory of Azerbaijan there has been taking place a change of the precipitation regime. Negative correlations between temperature and precipitation were observed for the main part of the country. The highest correlations [-0.65 to -0.80] were recorded for the stations on flat territories: Zardab, Goychay, Jafarkhan, and others. The lowest correlations were recorded for the sea and coastal stations. At most meteorological stations in these zones, the average yearly decrease in precipitation reached 70–90 mm. A maximum decrease was recorded along the Kur riverside, and at stations Jeyranchol, Shamkir and Ganja.

During April to October, most of the hazardous weather phenomena: torrential rains, thunderstorms, hail, floods, and mud and debris flows occur. The above study showed that during this period, the western part of the southern slope of the Greater Caucasus showed a significant increase in atmospheric precipitation. To the east and south of it, the precipitation gradually decreased, whereas an abrupt reduction in precipitation was recorded on the southeastern slope of the Greater Caucasus, and on the flat territory of the Republic.

Discussions with the community revealed that the rainfall during the years prior to 2023 was much lower than normal but in 2023 there was good rainfall. The people also reported that the temperature is also rising, and hot weather is being experienced. Further, it was informed that there is no or little snow during winter in this area, which was a normal pattern in the past. In Irmashli village, district of Shakmir communities informed that during 1980’s vineyards were grown on a 450 ha but as the kahrizes dried up, the vineyards also dried. Later the government distributed the land to farmers on lease to grow other crops, but nothing is grown there as there is no water.

The South Caucasus, Azerbaijan in particular, is facing water shortages as precipitation levels are decreasing and the levels of the region’s rivers are dropping. Water scarcity leads to migration. Water tensions are also linked to the Nagorno-Garabagh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. As Azerbaijan faced a severe water shortage in the months leading up to the 2020 war, Nagorno-Garabagh region became even more relevant for Azerbaijan in terms of its drinking water, irrigation, and hydropower, as the major rivers flow from west to east passing through Türkiye, Georgia, and Armenia.

In 1999, upon the request of the communities in Nakhichevan, the IOM began implementing a pilot programme to rehabilitate the kahrizes. By 2018 IOM rehabilitated more than 163 kahrizes with funds from the United Nations Development Programme [UNDP], European Commission [EC], Canadian International Development Agency [CIDA], Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation [SDC], the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration [BPRM], US State Department and the self-contribution of the local communities^[14]. Having demand from the communities and the GoA, IOM embarked on another project [2018-2023] with the assistance of KOICA. It has rehabilitated 34 kahrizes, with a water supply of more than four times than the baseline. It is estimated that with the renovation of kahrizes, and drilling new ones, the water discharge could be increased by many folds, which will be sufficient to meet the drinking and irrigation requirements in the territory of kahrizes and neighborhoods^[15].

Kahrizes System – A Global Heritage

Kahriz system is considered as the global human heritage since it is not only traditional water supply system of exploiting groundwater, but also it reflects the culture, socio-economy, and history of the ancient civilizations that had utilized these for thousands of years in arid and semi-arid regions of the world. However, with the explosive population growth and rapid development of pumping technology in the last century, the karezes dried up or were abandoned as pumping wells lower the groundwater table. This poses a dilemma to policy makers whether to facilitate large-scale utilization of pumping well technology over kahriz system or to keep using and preserving the kahriz system as a sustainable way of groundwater management. With the successful demonstration of horizontal and vertical boring machines by IOM for the development of new or rehabilitation of old kahrizes in Azerbaijan, the development and restoration of kahrizes coupled with watershed management in the catchment areas of kahrizes, this system could ensure sustainable water supplies. Installation of motorized pumps in such areas, will destroy the ecosystem leading to severe shortages of water, as happened in Balochistan, Pakistan. The main advantage of this approach is that it is community based, with almost no maintenance cost and once rehabilitated, it provides water all year round without use of any energy thus contributing to reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

 

Growing of fruit trees and vegetables by kahriz water is considered highly profitable practice.

 

Clean water from a kahriz

 

Dr. C. Inayatullah with Prof. xx aloat Kahriz Research and Information Centre, Ganja

 

Cultivation of tomatoes [export commodities] and cucumber in Azerbaijan in plastic tunnels.

 

1. Magee, P. [2005]. The chronology and environmental background of Iron Age settlement in southeastern Iran and the question of the origin of the qanat irrigation system. Iranica Antiqua 40:217–231. ↑

2. Beaumont, P. [1968. Qanats on the varamin plain, Iran. Trans Inst Br Geograph 45:169–179. ↑

3. Mostafaeipour, A. [2010]. Historical background, productivity, and technical issues of qanats. Water History 2(1):61–80. ↑

4. Semsar Yazdi A.A., L. Khaneiki, M. [2012b]. Qanat in its cradle: situation of Qanat in the world. International Center on Qanats and Historic Hydraulic Structures (UNESCO), Yazd. ↑

5. Mirsalohov et al. 2022. Kahriz systems. Azerbaijan State Agricultural University, Ganga. ↑

6. https://kahriz.az/kahrizes/191-kahrizes.html ↑

7. https://kahriz.az/kahrizes/191-kahrizes.html. ↑

8. https://kahriz.az/kahrizes/191-kahrizes.html ↑

9. Mirsalahob, et. Al., 2022. Kahriz Systems. Azerbaijan State Agricultural University, Ganja. ↑

10. https://tai.az/en/news/123 ↑

11. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/326975607_CHALLENGE_OF_WATER_SHORTAGE_IN_THE_WORLD_AND_AZERBAIJAN_AND_SCIENTIFIC_PRACTICAL_SOLUTION ↑

12. https://eurasianet.org/azerbaijan-faces-growing-water-shortage ↑

13. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1875372809000926?via%3Dihub ↑

14. https://environmentalmigration.iom.int/sites/g/files/tmzbdl1411/files/event/file/IOM%20Innovative%20Initiatives-Azerbaijan_COP27-NOV22.pdf ↑

15. Kahriz Systems, 2022. Azerbaijan State Agricultural University, Ganja. ↑