Traditional Irrigation as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage

The knowledge of traditional irrigation was inscribed on UNESCO’s ”Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity” on December 5, 2023. The multinational nomination by Austria, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Switzerland highlights irrigation traditions such as those using “Suonen” in the Valais (CH), “Waale” in Tyrol (A), or the “Vloeiweiden” in Belgium. It emphasises the traditional knowledge of local communities, their use of natural resources, and their contributions to soil fertility, groundwater levels, flood protection, biodiversity, and landscape diversity. Such landscapes must be preserved as a heritage for future generations. This article describes the centuries-long changing history and challenges of traditional irrigation today. It highlights the cross-border co-operation over many years in connection with the UNESCO project, the commitment of a large number of supporting organisations and the associated continuous exchange of knowledge that have created an important basis for the future conservation of this heritage. In the conviction that the diverse traditionally irrigated landscapes are essential components of the well-being of individuals and society, we consider it necessary to continuously support and strengthen the local bearers of this knowledge and the various other committed organisations.