摘要
In China, Qanats are found solely in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, this system has greatly contributed since long ago to local livelihood, especially agriculture. Today, there are around 600 Qanats in Xinjiang, located especially in Turpan and Hami pefectures. Uygur people are the main users of the Qanat, they are not only using the techniques of construction and maintenance but they are also integrating Qanat into their culture. Today, Qanats in China are facing more and more crises with the local developmental impacts from enlarging farmland, groundwater over-extraction, seasonal water shortages, costly management, and conflicts of the interest, etc.. According to some studies, the number of Qanats in Xinjiang was reduced from 1,784 in 1950 to 600 today, which are equivalent to a decline of 23 Qanats per eventually come to end in the coming decades if we do not have year. Consequently, many experts are concerned that Qanats will effective efforts for their maintenance. It is a fact that Qanat is still able to adapt to the local environment, the local livelihood and against climate change, it cannot be converted to other hydraulic system in the arid environment of Xinjiang so far, but it is also challenged by current developments, especially rising amount of water consumption and costly maintenance. This paper aims to discuss the currently situation of Qanats in Xinjiang of China and their protection and sustainable use in a context of current development of industry, urbanization and local environmental change.
