Over 96% of respondents confirmed that indigenous water systems were declining.
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Whilst rainwater harvesting in Yemen is in decline, locals view the revival of this practice as a vital, sustainable alternative to depleting groundwater extraction.
Musaed Aklan Tweet
The decline of rainwater harvesting, or indigenous water systems, in Yemen is happening at a time when people are facing droughts and flash floods. Although Yemen is a country with a rich history in traditional harvesting systems, Yemen does not have enough surface water and the depletion of groundwater is alarming. A revival of water systems in rural areas is important to sustain the population.
It is important to understand the decline of the systems of what could be done about it. The purpose of the research was to identify the underlying factors of the decline in the Sana’a Basin as a case study and considered ways to reverse it.
Aklan, Musaed, et al. (2022). ‘Why indigenous water systems are declining and how to revive them: A rough set analysis’. Journal of Arid Environments , 202.
This research was independently conducted and did not receive funding from outside of the university.
This research contributes to the following SDGs
This research was independently conducted and did not receive funding from outside of the university.
With the increasing costs of living and fuel and the lack of consistent energy sources, access to water is becoming more challenging. Yemen has a rich history of indigenous water systems which provide sustainable solutions that are localised and would have a great impact on the wellbeing and livelihoods of people living in rural areas.
The methodology for this paper was using a rough set analysis to analyse 100 interviews with farmers, 65 interviews with experts and 22 rainwater harvesting system visits.
Maali Jamil prepared this research following an interview with Musaed Aklan.