BAKU, Azerbaijan, Dec. 2
By Elnur Baghishov – Trend:
Azerbaijan can take necessary steps to include famous underground water channels (qanat or kariz) in the UNESCO World Heritage List, PhD in Human Geography Senior Researcher, ICQHS International Center on Qanats and Historic Hydraulic Structures Majid Labbaf Khaneiki told Trend .
According to Labbaf Khaneiki, Azerbaijani qanats also deserve to be included in the list of world cultural heritage, because they have historical, cultural and economic values.
"If Azerbaijan's famous qanats are included in the list of cultural heritage, it will be another success for Azerbaijan,” he added.
The senior researcher noted that Azerbaijan can prepare a project for registration of qanats.
“So, the specialists can conduct researches on a number of well-known qanats of Azerbaijan, obtain the necessary information in accordance with UNESCO standards and address it to UNESCO,” Labbaf Khaneiki said.
The official stressed that given Iran's experience in this area, Iran can assist Azerbaijan on including the Azerbaijani qanats in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Labbaf Khaneiki also said that so far, only two countries’ qanats have been included in the UNESCO cultural heritage list - Oman and Iran.