Sur – Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources has completed the rehabilitation of Al Jila Falaj in the wilayat of Sur, one of five aflaj in Oman inscribed on the Unesco World Heritage List.

The work included restoring the collection basin, rehabilitating 150m of the open channel, building a parallel path, repairing bridges that carry water to farms, constructing a ramp to protect the channel from erosion, dredging the watercourse, and installing a signboard for the falaj and village.

The project has been completed and handed over by the contractor.

Salah bin Salem al Mahajri, head of the Dams, Aflaj and Protective Walls Department in South Sharqiyah, said aflaj in Oman represent a “rich cultural and human heritage”. He added, “They are not just a source of water, but an integrated lifestyle that has supported agriculture and sustained communities for centuries.”

Al Jila, fed from the upper course of Wadi Shab, is the main water source for Al Jila village. Stretching 415m from the mouth of a cave to its collection basin, the falaj includes three bridges built using traditional techniques and local materials to ensure the channel remains intact during floods.

The ministry said the project contributes to preserving Oman’s aflaj system, which continues to play a vital role in water management and agricultural life across the country.