G-Wadi Meeting20-23 June 2011, Tehran-Iran

A report on the implemented activities of

The International Center on Qanats & Historic Hydraulic Structures

Dr. Semsar YazdiDirector of ICQHS

We are focused on:

• Research• Training• Technology transfer• Scientific gathering• Publication• Cooperation

Taking part in rehabilitation of Qanat of Shekh Mamudian in Iraq

(November and December 2009)

Training Course on “Restoration and Maitenance of Karez” for Iraqi experts

7 - 21 December 2009

Training course and field visits for a delegation from Nakhchivan

3-11 April 2010

Teaming up with IOM experts in construction of new Qanat in Nakhchivan

11 to 18 April 2010

Qanat training course for the students of French High school, Yazd, 14 April 2010

Qanat Engineering Workshop for the experts of Ministry of Energy & Ministry of Jahad Agriculture, Tehran- 12 May 2010:

Interaction between traditional experties and modern technologies

Joint expert group meeting on Qanat preservation, Tehran- 13 May 2010

An expert from ICQHS was dispatched to the town of Suleymaniyeh to investigate the situation of qanats

there29 April- 13 May 2010

Collaboration on stargazing research project, Yazd, 16-20 May 2010

Evaluating the results of teaming up with IOM experts, 28 May - 3 June, 2010

ICQHS participated in water history conference at TU-Delft

16-19 June, 2010

• introduction to Qanat geographical diffusion and present situation

• Modern techniques & methods in Qanat construction and restoration

• Water and Socio- political power in History

Participation in the 19th session of IHP Intergovernmental council, Paris, 5-9 July 2010

Training course on Qanat Nomination as the World Heritage for consulting Engineers, Yazd

20 July 2010

Qanat technology training course for the experts of southern Khorasan province, Birjand,

28 July-5 August 2010

Meeting with Qanat users- Bam, 29 July 2010

Contribution in holding the Qanat training course for young Kan Kans, Nakhgivan,

25-31 July 2010

International Training Course on Qanats for Islamic countries, yazd- Iran

27 September-2 October, 2010

• Theme 1: adapting to the impacts of global changes on river basins & aquifer system

Draft Strategic Plan for

the 7th phase of IHP

(2008-2013)

Focal area

1 - 4

Focal area

1 - 5

Managing groundwater systems’ response to

global changes objectives

Global change and climate variability in arid

and semi-arid region objectives

• Theme 2: Strengthening Water Governance for Sustainability

Focal area

2 - 1

Focal area

2 - 2

Cultural, societal and scientific responses to

the crises in water governance

Capacity development for improved governance; enhanced legislation for wise stewardship

of water resources

• Theme 3: Eco hydrology for Sustainability

Focal area

3 - 4

Groundwater-dependent ecosystems identification, inventory and assessment

• Theme 4: Water and Life Support Systems

Focal area

4 - 4

Achieving sustainable rural water management

• Theme 5: Strengthening Water Governance for Sustainability

Focal area

5 - 1

Focal area

5 - 4

Tertiary water education and professional

development

Focal area

5 - 3

Focal area

5 - 2

Vocational education and

training of water technicians

Water education in schools

Water education for communities,

stakeholders and mass-media

professionals

Work plan of 2011-2012:

• implementation of some study projects• cooperation with other countries and UNESCO category II centers• holding some training courses• publishing some books• conducting some research projects

Study projects:

• preparing the qanat encyclopedia• methodology of how to determine the qanat bound

(Harim)• application of new technologies in qanat construction

and rehabilitation• preparation of the atlas of qanats• setting out the file of the prominent qanat for their

nomination for the UNESCO world heritage list• enhancing the public awareness about qanats & HHs

Holding training courses • A workshop on Historic hydraulic Structures

specific to the Nationalexperts (March 2011) • International training course on qanat (May

2011)• International training course on historic hydraulic structures (June 2011)

• A Short course on Qanats and historic hydraulic structures specific to the experts of Jahad Agriculture Ministry(July 2011)

• Specific courses upon the recommendation of other countries or organizations

International Conference on:Traditional Knowledge for WATER resources

Management (TKWRM): Lessons learnt from sustainability, Adaptation to Climate

Variability, Right Level of Decision Making, and Socio-Cultural Compatibility

21-23 February 2012, Yazd-IR. Iran

Organizers: Ministry of Energy, UTCO, ICQHS, RCUWM

Publishing some books

• The book "Veins of Desert"in English

• The book "Qanat of Zarch"a monographical study

• The book "Qanat of Dowlat-Abad“ a monographical study

• A Country Report (Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Azerbaijan, China, Algeria, Oman and Syria)

• The book "Qanat from practitioner’s point of view“

Conducting some research projects:

• Generating electricity by qanat• Comprehensive study on the qanats of

Emamiyeh and Ghasem-Abad in Mashhad to supply drinking water

• Research on the issue of sewage seepage into the qanats in Yazd

• Destructive impact of developmental projects on qanats

Historic Hydraulic Structures:• Methodology on inventory of historic hydraulic structures• Inventory of historic hydraulic structures of Iran, as a pilot

project • Training course on historic hydraulic structures • Book on historic hydraulic structures (central plateau of Iran)• Technical, social, and historical aspects of hydraulic structures

Thank you