1. Harnessing Traditional Knowledge and Scientific Innovations
Mohammad Shahbaz, Advisor, National Center for Research & Development
Historically Asia has been a water wise turbulent region, coupled with stresses
and hopes of innovations. One of the major deficiencies in this region is aridity
that leads to water resources scarcity. The availability of those resources or
otherwise have created competition among nations with deep rooted conflicts.
In a recently published article by Whitehead P.G. reveals that the Dead Sea
region (meaning the eastern basin of the Mediterranean) was subjected to
temperature rise after the last ice age, with relatively little change thereafter.
Rainfall, however, shows significant variation with higher rainfall in the early
Holocene dropping irregularly towards modern levels from around 8000 BP,
intermediating a brief wet phase around 5000 BP. Followed by a rapid decline in
rainfall after 5000 BP leading to longer periods of dry conditions.
Evidently the rising temperatures and declining moisture through historic eras in
West Asia forced the residing populations to adapt to those conditions. In
essence modern day water scarcity and its prevailing impacts are subject to
those arid conditions forced by nature on the said region.
Ancient history documented various approaches of the populations occupying
West Asia to satisfy their dyer needs either by force or innovative methods to
capitalize on the available water resources. In many cases both force and
innovation were applied to overcome scarcity, the Romans concurred the
Nabataeans to copy ancient water harvesting technique, and employ them in
mega projects emphasizing state majesty. However, history exhibits the
ingenuity of the Nabataeans in water resources management, more importantly
their excellence is witnessed in the facade of Petra for refined water collection,
storage and distribution systems. No doubt the issue of security was their prime
driver for excellence; hence the Romans had to block their water sources to
concur.
In the early 40s Svend Helms discovered the Lost City of the Black Desert, Jawa,
at the north east of Jordan. It was revealed that Jawa was established in the Early
Bronze Age, with a population of 6000 people. In the mean time the city itself
was supplied with water through a magnificent water cistern, using flood control
structures from Wadi Rajil, such as diversion dams, and a unique water storage
system split into two parts: one for sanitary use by the population; the other for
watering livestock. It has been speculated that a third part was employed for
irrigating agricultural crops.
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2. Those inherent water resources management practices formed a knowledge
platform still widely used by communities and individuals, modern terminology
defines it as “Traditional Knowledge”. Although those models are based on trial
and error withstanding the test of time are valid in application. Generations after
generations made use of this knowledge to the advantage of their communities,
perhaps with modifications as they come.
The living example today is the Marib Dam, “the site of the great dam (Sudd
Marib) is upstream (south-west) of the ancient city of Marib, once the capital of
the Kingdom of Saba'a, believed to be the kingdom of the legendary Queen of
Sheba. The Kingdom of Saba'a was a prosperous trading nation, with control of
the frankincense and spice routes in Arabia and Abyssinia. The Sabaens built the
dam to capture the periodic monsoon rains which fall on the nearby mountains
and so irrigate the land around the city. Recent archaeological findings suggest
that simple earth dams and a canal network were constructed as far back as
2000 BC. The building of the first Marib dam began somewhere between 1750
BC and 1700 BC”. Evidently the modern dam was built by the Yamani
government in the vicinity based on the profound ancient site selection criteria
for the same purpose.
In conclusion of the traditional knowledge section a scientific based integrated
effort should be placed in the WANA region, to elaborate on the documentation
of the exceedingly rich heritage in water resources management practices.
Capitalizing on the lessons learned and adding knowledge to the modern science
base.
Innovation existed since the creation of mankind, purposefully serving as the
platform for human civilization progress ever since. Innovation and innovators
are always there, but need the appropriate incubation to lead them forward.
One witnesses the excelling domestic human resources leaking to the industrial
world without any return due failures in the support systems: no adaption, no
incentives, and short comings in the legal frameworks leading to frustration.
Innovation is driven by creativity and originality from childhood in individuals,
fostered by a profound inventive culture in the society, characterized by
precision and endurance.
In modern societies with advanced thinking appropriate systems are formulated
to embody such individuals that have exceptional performances leading to
innovation.
Such initiative must be capitalized upon in our societies if a positive change is
desired. The essence of this change must target youth with objective programs,
programs that include adoption of distinguished individuals with the following
potential:
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3. 1. Curiosity that is associated with problem solving,
2. Inclination towards exploration and detection,
3. Brilliance,
4. Imagination,
5. Dedication,
6. Resourcefulness,
7. Independence, and
8. Adventurous.
The incentive within such a framework is preservation and protection of patency
rights, a key factor that needs much improvement in our governing systems. The
appropriate recognition (patents) of those innovators is the enabling
environment, which provides security and incentive; further more it feeds the
wheels of development to reach new heights for better future.
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