Citizens in the Al Dhahirah Governorate's wilayats joined hands in building 18 groundwater recharge dams as part of a community partnership project, working in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources.
The goal of the project is to increase groundwater reserves and guarantee the long-term viability of water supplies for coming generations. The action demonstrates the increasing public awareness of the value of community-enhanced water resource management. The Ministry and local residents supported the construction of the dams, demonstrating the effectiveness of integrated approaches to water resource management.
As part of the community partnership effort, work is now being done to build seven additional groundwater recharge dams in the Al Dhahirah Governorate, according to Eng. Mubarak Salim Al Jabri, Director of the Water Resources Department. Three dams are being built in the wilayat of Ibri, three in the wilayat of Yanqul, and one in the wilayat of Dhank. Citizens are responsible for 80% of the project's cost, while the ministry provides the other 20%.
Dams are essential for enhancing water availability in wells and aflaj, which in turn promotes agricultural productivity and provides water in a sustainable manner for the community, Al Jabri told the Oman News Agency (ONA).
This year, maintenance on eight existing dams in the Al Dhahirah Governorate was also finished, according to Al Jabri.
According to Al Jabri, the Al Dhahirah Governorate has 36 dams (18 government-owned and 18 community-partnership-based) that serve as both "groundwater recharge dams" and "flood protection dams. " He said that these dams are essential to the infrastructure that supports water resources and water security. According to him, the dams promote sustainable agricultural development in the governorate's several wilayats.
