An introduction to the khettara in morocco: Two contrasting cases

Abstract

On each side of the High Atlas in Morocco, various societies have built thousands of tunnel and well networks called khettaras, which are much like the qanats of Iran or the foggara systems of Algeria. Ancient writers have noted the ingenuity of these devices, but in the last 30 years, the use of khettaras has declined. An inventory is necessary to understand the rural zones where groups of khettaras still exist. The contrasting situations of the province of Marrakech (Haouz), where palm groves were irrigated primarily by hundreds of these underground tunnels, and the province of Tafilalet, where an inventory of 500 khettaras recently has been made, highlight the fate of the water management systems. Around Marrakech City, the collapse of the khettara is rapidly impacting water supply. In Tafilalet province, the situation seems more favorable for water supply sustainability and future use of khettaras, with 50% of the khettaras still "alive." However, the modernization of irrigation and the increase of wells are signs of change. How can these systems be maintained, and how can farmers be allowed to innovate without destroying what made the inhabitants of arid regions relatively prosperous? © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.