Iran promotes traditional water wisdom to combat modern scarcity

Atousa Momeni, head of a regional research center in Tehran, is promoting traditional Iranian water management practices to help solve modern water shortages.

The center aims to preserve intangible cultural heritage by moving beyond official registrations and focusing on how local communities maintain historical knowledge of rainwater harvesting and water distribution. The research center chose "Living Heritage and Water" as the theme for its upcoming commemoration on November 9, 2026.

During this event, the organization will present the "Living Heritage and Water Award" to three specific projects in the provinces of Semnan, Hormozgan, and Fars. These projects demonstrate how ancient customs, such as the "Kheyrab" rainwater harvesting practice on Qeshm Island, can work alongside modern technology to protect water resources in arid regions. Momeni argues that the survival of these practices depends on the active participation of local people and the transmission of skills to younger generations.

She noted that while historical engineering like qanats is well known, the social organization and customary rules governing water rights are equally important. The initiative seeks to foster regional cooperation across West and Central Asia to address shared challenges like climate change and drought. Momeni cautioned that simply listing a practice on a heritage registry does not ensure its survival.

She stated that the goal is to ensure that farmers, craftspeople, and traditional water managers can continue to pass down their expertise. She suggested that historical experience should be used in combination with contemporary science to create sustainable solutions for the future.