The training course on “Restoration and Maintenance of Karez in Iraq: Advanced Techniques in Planning, Methodology and Applications” was held on 7-21 December 2009 in Yazd-Iran.
1- Objectives
· To build on the basic knowledge and capacity gained in the first training (2008)
· To deliver state-of-the-art knowledge and understanding of qanat (karez) restoration and conservation techniques
· To provide sufficient intellectual capacity to undertake independent karez restoration projects, including assessment, planning, implementation and monitoring
· To certify a team of Iraqi engineers as qualified qanat practitioners, who could become the core knowledge base on which the Government of Iraq can build
· To assess the aptitude of participants as potential trainers in their home country
2- Organizers: UNESCO office in Iraq, Ministry of Water & Agriculture of Iraq & Kurdistan, International Center on Qanats & Historic Hydraulic Structures
3- Number of Participants: 17 participants attended this Training course 15 of whom were the experts of Ministry of Water and Agriculture 2 were the experts of Ministry of Tourism of Kurdistan.
4- Duration of Training Course: 15 days containing 70 hours of theoretical classes and field visits.
5- Final exam: The final exam which was held at the end of the course contained all the issues presented in the course and all the participants were accepted in the exam and received the course certificate.
6- Content
Part 1: Pre-restoration assessment and modern planning techniques
1.1. Groundwater surveying techniques and tools
1.2. Materials and bills-of-quantity drafting
1.3. Mathematical models in qanat reconstruction
Part 2: Modern techniques and methods of qanat restoration
2.1. Techniques for mitigating against physical hazards to qanats
2.2. Application of new methods and technologies in qanat restoration
2.3. Interview-based groundwater assessment using qanats and traditional wells for data
2.4. Geographic information system (GIS) for managing qanat resources and regional qanat networks
2.5. Harvesting seasonal floods and replenishing the aquifer
2.6. Qanat geology
2.7. Enhancing the economic efficiency of qanats
Part 3: Modern techniques and methods of qanat conservation and monitoring
3.1. Qanat cartography
3.2. Qanat documentation and registration
3.3. Water and qanat legislation (laws)
7- The participants visited 11 qanats and also some historic hydraulic structures in Yazd and Isfahan and the leader explained the mentioned structures for them. The numerous questions raised by the participants show their interest in learning the new subjects about qanat.
8- In order to holding this training course in the best way, the experienced and distinguished lecturers were invited to teach the related subjects. Some of the lecturers were from Netherlands, Japan and OklahomaUniversity and the participants tried to learn more from these distinguished lecturers.
9- Closing Ceremony:
The closing ceremony was held on 20 Dec 2009 with the presence of Iraqi experts, the course lectures, the ICQHS’ experts and some guests from Ministry of Energy, Mr. Ghaderi, Mr. Shafiei, Mr. Nezamolmolki and the Yazd member of the Islamic parliament of Iran. In this ceremony, a report on the process of ICQHS’ establishment and the measures taken in this center and also a summarized report on the training course was presented. Then Mr. Ghaderi, the advisor to Minister and the General Director of assembly affairs, made a speech and at the end of the ceremony, the Iraqi participants received their certificates and gifts from Mr. Ghaderi.
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