@zainabalnasseri –
The number of water licences issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources during March 2022, stood at 1,017 licences.
The licences, distributed over all governorates, varied between wells registration requests, wells licensing, dams and aflaj requests, well drilling contractors, in addition to development projects requests.
Al Dakhiliyah Governorate topped the list with 177 permits, followed by Al Dhahirah Governorate with 190, North Al Batinah Governorate with 177, North Al Sharqiyah Governorate with 158 and South Al Batinah with 134 permits.
The ministry regulates issuance of water licences, out of its keenness to monitor and rationalise the use of water resources to ensure a balance between the quantities available and required for various uses. In this regard, the total number of water licences issued for their various uses in 2020 reached 3,196 licences.
The Sultanate of Oman pays great attention to the water resources sector by implementing several development projects and taking measures aimed at achieving optimal exploitation of water resources and ensuring their sustainable use. This is done by implementing water projects such as dams and exploratory drilling projects for water resources, maintaining and rehabilitating aflaj and springs, and digging auxiliary wells for them.
In addition to the establishment of artificial recharge stations to enhance the water reserves in the Sultanate of Oman. It also works to ensure a balance in water uses between sectors, raise awareness of the importance of preserving water resources, and develop water resources through technical and hydrological studies and water discoveries.
Dams are considered the most important water facilities that hold large quantities of water; aiming at providing protection against the dangers of floods, giving groundwater recharge and providing villages with their water needs. The ministry also monitors water situations, and raises awareness on rationalising water uses. In addition, it works to strengthen the role of the private sector in establishing and managing water projects to ensure water sustainability for future generations.
