An overview on the traditional methods of rainwater harvesting through micro-catchments system construction in Fars province

About fifty billions cubic meters of our land waste and financial loss and casualties due to them is more than milliards and ten، while nearly 90 percent of our land area is faced with water shortage. People in arid and semi-arid areas in order to supply the needed water for agriculture، drinking and domestic use have to use water from rainfall and run off. Intelligence of Homo sapiens has enabled him to adapt to harsh environments. Realizing that floodwater from ephemeral streams and flood is the only source of water available for irrigation، where rain -fed agriculture is nearly impossible; he has chosen floodwater spreading as the main stay of his life. The use of floodwater in Fars، Khorasan، Sistan and Baluchestan province are a good examples of using of floodwater and run off. Old traditional methods of rainwater and floodwaters harvesting come back to 3 to 5 thousand years. In spite of development of new methods for operation of the floodwater، nevereless the traditional methods in different areas are very good and efficient. Floodplain cultivation، floodwater harvesting by building micro catchments system in Stahbanat and Parezeition، Abanbar construction in Larestan، and micro catchments in Kelestan، Layzanganof Darab، Abesard are specific examples of harmony with harsh environment and optimization techniques of rainwater and run off harvesting in Fars province، that we will discuss about them in this article.