MAFWR issued 1,042 water licences in August 2022

MAFWR issued 1,042 water licences in August 2022

Muscat – A total of 1,042 water licences were issued in August 2022, according to statistics released by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MAFWR).

In a statement, MAFWR said, ‘The licences issued include requests for registering wells, dams and aflaj, for drilling wells, and development projects in various governorates.’

The ministry informed that in the last two years, it updated regulations based on water availability and likely changes in the situation. MAFWR has framed conditions and controls related to issuing water licences factoring in the requirements of community members.

The ministry strives to facilitate and simplify the procedures for granting water licences while preserving aflaj as a natural water resource.

According to MAFWR data, the maximum number of licences – 306 – were issued in Dakhliyah, followed by 193 in Dhahirah, 149 in North Batinah, 145 in North Sharqiyah, 108 in South Batinah, 58 in Muscat, 41 in South Sharqiyah, 25 in Buraimi, nine in Musandam, seven in Al Wusta and one in Dhofar governorate.

“The ministry deals with licence requests based on technical requirements and gives conditional approvals in coordination with other government agencies,” a ministry official said.

Oman received average rainfall of 123mm in 2020 and 183mm in 2019, according to