The originality of oasis of Saoura in south-west of Algeria

Abstract

For centuries the oases of the Saoura continue to manage critical situations of drought and the hostility of the Algerian Sahara through the rational exploitation of water, a rare and precious source of traditional irrigation techniques have proved their efficiency. The use of new groundwater drainage systems of drilling, and the lack of effective management of the Foggaras, has made this system lose its value, deteriorate and let the palm groves disappear. More than 80% of these systems have been abandoned in recent years. With increasing urbanization, population growth, climate change and the uncontrolled proliferation of motor pumps, the level of the water table is lowered and the quality of the water is degraded. The foggaras have gradually been abandoned, which leads to the degradation of the gardens and the old oasis.