Widely known as THE Ghouta, the Damascus Oasis, right until the middle of the twentieth century, had occupied an area of at least 8,000 hectares extending more than 25 kilometers in its greatest length parallel to the mountain ridge that still dominates its vestiges.
The Ghouta has from time immemorial been the richest agricultural land in Syria, perhaps western Asia if we are to accept the opinion of the illustrious French geographer Richard Thoumin. Several factors have combined over the last 70 years or so to destroy this earthly paradise. Most importantly, the exponential population growth coupled with a near-total absence of sound planning.
Abusing and destroying natural resources are of course worldwide phenomena secondary to not just adding 4 billion human beings since 1960, but also the no less important rise in individual and collective consumption. The average Syrian at the turn of the 21st century -at least till 2011- consumes much more than his ancestors had done a hundred years prior. Naturally consumption level in the Third World, Syria included, is nowhere near that of Europe and North America but the latter are far better endowed with natural and industrial resources. Europe, moreover, has succeeded in controlling population growth, so have China and Japan.
The attached map is a sketch of Damascus' water resources, the most important of which remains of course Barada. This Abana of the Old Testament (Chrysorrhoas according the the Greeks) issues from the Anti-Lebanon, passes the Zabadani plain, receives a bountiful boost from the waters of al-Fijeh heading east, to finally enters Damascus Oasis through the Rabwa gorge.
Two more "rivers" contribute to the irrigation of Damascus' gardens: the Menin from the north waters the east Ghouta, and the Aawaj in the south. The latter springs from the foot of Hernon Mountain (highest peak of the Anti-Lebanon), heads east, and sends a branch to the town of Daraya, southwest of Damascus. Daraya also gets part of its water from the Darani Canal, a branch of Barada.
The Ghouta has from time immemorial been the richest agricultural land in Syria, perhaps western Asia if we are to accept the opinion of the illustrious French geographer Richard Thoumin. Several factors have combined over the last 70 years or so to destroy this earthly paradise. Most importantly, the exponential population growth coupled with a near-total absence of sound planning.
Abusing and destroying natural resources are of course worldwide phenomena secondary to not just adding 4 billion human beings since 1960, but also the no less important rise in individual and collective consumption. The average Syrian at the turn of the 21st century -at least till 2011- consumes much more than his ancestors had done a hundred years prior. Naturally consumption level in the Third World, Syria included, is nowhere near that of Europe and North America but the latter are far better endowed with natural and industrial resources. Europe, moreover, has succeeded in controlling population growth, so have China and Japan.
The attached map is a sketch of Damascus' water resources, the most important of which remains of course Barada. This Abana of the Old Testament (Chrysorrhoas according the the Greeks) issues from the Anti-Lebanon, passes the Zabadani plain, receives a bountiful boost from the waters of al-Fijeh heading east, to finally enters Damascus Oasis through the Rabwa gorge.
Two more "rivers" contribute to the irrigation of Damascus' gardens: the Menin from the north waters the east Ghouta, and the Aawaj in the south. The latter springs from the foot of Hernon Mountain (highest peak of the Anti-Lebanon), heads east, and sends a branch to the town of Daraya, southwest of Damascus. Daraya also gets part of its water from the Darani Canal, a branch of Barada.
Jacques Weulersse
Paysans de Syrie et du Proche-Orient
Copyright Librairie Gallimard 1946
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