Agriculture - Unesco: Traditional irrigation declared cultural heritage
Traditional meadow irrigation has been declared an intangible cultural heritage of humanity by Unesco. This form of irrigation uses gravity to direct water from rivers and canals onto agricultural land such as fields and meadows. "Traditional irrigation is a living heritage that makes a decisive contribution to preserving the biodiversity of our cultural landscapes," said the Vice President of the German Unesco Commission, Christoph Wulf, on Tuesday, according to a press release.
The decision was eagerly awaited, particularly in Nuremberg and the district of Forchheim. The two municipalities had promoted the application together with the Queichwiesen in Rhineland-Palatinate on the German side. Traditional irrigation cultures in Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria and Switzerland were also involved.
Traditional irrigation involves temporarily digging small ditches or damming up water to create artificial overflows. According to Unesco, this sustainable form of water supply is used to cultivate dry areas. In addition to the agricultural benefits, the technology also has a positive impact on biodiversity.
The Unesco Committee on Intangible Cultural Heritage is meeting in Kasane in Botswana, Africa, until December 9.
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The decision to declare traditional irrigation as a cultural heritage was significant for areas in Germany, such as Nuremberg and Forchheim, who had collaborated on the application with the Queichwiesen in Rhineland-Palatinate.
Botswana, currently hosting the Unesco Committee on Intangible Cultural Heritage, is also home to diverse agricultural practices and rich cultural heritage.
Germany, like its neighbors in Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria, and Switzerland, showcases a variety of agricultural techniques, including the agrarian practice of traditional irrigation.
To maintain and enhance biodiversity in agricultural regions, sustainable practices like traditional irrigation, as recognized by Unesco, are essential in areas like Bavaria and Rhineland-Palatinate, in addition to countries with similar climates and water needs.
Source: www.stern.de
