Save Every Drop Challenge: GEAF Ambassador Mohammed Hazeb Saleh, shares traditional water conservation practices from hilly terrains of Sana'a, Yemen, in this Q&A segment

In the mountainous regions of Yemen, traditional water conservation relies on an integrated, multi-tiered ecosystem consisting of permeable check dams (Hawajiz), traditional stone cisterns (Birkah), and rooftop rainwater harvesting. 

Local communities build targeted check dams using concrete retaining walls paired with natural, unpaved earthen beds. This intentional design allows heavy seasonal runoff to settle and gradually percolate deep into the ground, directly recharging shallow aquifers and village wells. On a household level, this traditional wisdom extends to Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting, where rainwater is channelled directly from house roofs using sloped piping into individual storage tanks. 

Complementing these are centuries-old community cisterns (Birkah), which store surface water for non-potable community needs. Together, these decentralized practices capture every drop of rainfall, sustaining rural life across arid mountain terrains. 

The harvested water directly sustains regional agriculture—from high-value cash crops like grapes and coffee on terraced slopes to highly resilient, drought-tolerant species like almond trees. Almond trees, in particular, rely almost entirely on seasonal rain and underground moisture retained by these conservation structures, requiring minimal extra irrigation. 

Simultaneously, household rooftop collection and community cisterns divert non-potable water usage (such as livestock watering, cleaning, and construction) away from precious drinking water sources, creating a balanced and sustainable water budget for the entire community. 

What message would you like to share with people around the world about valuing traditional knowledge and adopting sustainable water-use practices in their own communities?