United Arab Emirates: Quenching the Thirst of Liwa | SLICE EARTH | FULL DOC

Liwa Oasis, the historical birthplace of Abu Dhabi's ruling families, is undergoing significant transformation. Lettuces are now being grown here, on the desert's doorstep, and the local palm groves produce some of the best-known dates in the world.

Never before have these landscapes been so lush.
During the long and tumultuous history of this extraordinary place, man and water have forged a unique bond, bringing life to the midst of the desert.

Documentary: Oases, Sentinels of the Desert – United Arab Emirates, Among the Dunes of Liwa (2021)
Direction: Benoît Laborde
Production: ZED Films

#documentary #freedocumentary #ecology #earth #environment #sustainability #climatechange #science #LiwaOasis #AbuDhabi #DesertTransformation #SustainableAgriculture #UAE #OasisFarming #DateProduction #LushLandscapes #DesertAgriculture #WaterManagement #EnvironmentalInnovation #MiddleEastAgriculture #GreenRevolution #SustainableDevelopment #PalmGroves

[syedmaricar]

Alhamdulillah, Great achievement in generations.

[nickgrimmer]

I would like to say not all the present gen are not work shy, and it’s sometimes the younger generation that leds the way, so thank you to all the generations past and present for the knowledge that we have in this world.❤️🙏

[dpotengy]

To the Lady, ladies, of the land... I give u love and thanks for been strong and powerful women, which believed on her man, and made happening together.

Thank u. You guys ROCK.

[kehenabeach]

No matter where in the world it always seems like the older generations worked so much harder than the present generation.

[tothelighthouse]

Are people missing the point of this documentary? The gentleman farming dates at the Liwa oasis at the beginning of the doc IS PART OF THE PROBLEM. He is part of a long proud tradition of depleting the water table by farming dates in the middle of the desert.

These are unsustainable agricultural practices. The current 'solution' of simply drilling deeper wells eventually depletes the vast underground water source, to the point where now the water being drawn up is saline. They're actually now poisoning the soil by watering with saline water. Almost nothing can grow in the salinated soil they're creating.

None of these agricultural practices are focused on ADDING to the natural environment. They're all focused on using up natural resources (like water) to make a profit, without sustainable practices to maintain & add to the natural resources. Eventually these oases will become complete desert because these farmers have used up all the fresh water underground. The desalination project at 37:00 isn't a solution--at great expense, it only further depletes the aquifer by using up even the salinated water at the very bottom of the aquifer.

The 'man-made lake' with birds at 21:00 is actually LEAKAGE, if you listen closely. It's broken pipes or poorly sealed irrigation systems that are LEAKING vast amounts of precious water at the surface! It will evaporate so quickly under the heat & sun, so it's all being wasted. It's crazy that the video doesn't explore that issue.


The hotel featured at the end (41:50) is simply drilling deeper & deeper into the aquifer & using up the precious water so people can have an 'exotic' luxury desert adventure.

Not saying we're doing any better anywhere else in the world, but it's odd that the video doesn't challenge these practices at all, or highlight how they're destroying the last of these precious resources.

[dpotengy]

I congratulate the grandpa of the Sheikh for been a faithful man of GOD.
Its even prophetic how the Lord showed him the way of BELIEVE as much as Becca is the paradise of Mohammed, their prophet.

Its impressive how another man using his Faith of been a visionary and obedient child of the LORD followed HIS instructions as a believer.

Im glad, the grandchildren, r seeking tp growth. BRAVOS.

And i also think ALOE-VERA=BABOSA are good to try.
They can be used as medication, juices, cosmetics...
I watched a documentary saying that the biggest amd better aloe Vera plants r from Chile... Where the lands r been taken care of shamanic natives...

Anyways... Congratulations bkz the Lord is just giving the visions of better future FOREVER and MORE, to those who r faithful and open their eyes to see.

Amen.

For the always and FOREVER our Lord will be praised.

[natalioalbertohernandezcas]

CONGRATULATIONS UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, YOU ARE CHANGING THE WORLD. BLESSINGS. SOS, SOS PLANET EARTH.

[pascalnguyen]

I like this young man proud of its heritage

[lauraw.]

Are they monitoring their aquifer? Are its levels sustainable/regenerative? Curious. The area is beautiful. The increase in bird populations seen, the plant diversity!
[never mind 24:34 I see you are addressing the water issue].

[AngelineThompson-xk]

I would like to ask if you can do a nursery in your desert sun growing fruit bearing trees like blue berry trees cran berry trees choke cherry trees saskatoon berry trees and other kinds walnut trees eggcorn trees because they will grow super fast as long as they have lots of water
The leaves fall fast after growing up and thats black soils growing in larger quantities as they leave

[kalfunai]

Living in such a hot place and still no sweat on their faces.Wow

[anthonywilliams-vxcm]

I believe in regreening the Desert. It is very possible to make the effort to achieve this. Oil dollars can help very well.

[raymondchuntei]

Does anyone know the name of background music at 41 minutes and 15 seconds?

[katherinekinnaird]

I have many questions about the plant and animal life in their land but one thing that really I'm curious about is what type of batteries that they put in their trail cameras that last out there in that heat that extremely heat. I'm not trying to be silly with this question. I'm actually curious it would be important for me to know, thank you, God bless you.

[dpotengy]

So... They already have the pvc Kkkkk... Im Watching in "parts" to pay attention and deal with my responsibilities of my ; HERE, NOW.
THERE. NOW.
IN BETWEEN.... & BEYOND.

God bless.
Im with the dr from Jordan which came up to "prove" that im smart and its been done by her degrees.
Blessed be. You ROCK in a man's world, girl.

[maxschon]

Why they do Not start mulching at the Date Palms? Why Not planting halophilic plants Like Atriplex littoralis which sucks salts from the Ground. It leaves can be eaten

[anthonywilliams-vxcm]

Also mix organic oil twenty percent and water eighty percent and spray this on the desert sand to stabilize sand dunes and prevent sands from blowing away and moving. And plant grass and trees on this oil and water soaked sand. Then grow fowls and ducks goats sheep horses cows and rabbits and geese etc and develop an Agri base along with the Date Palms.

[MushtaqAhmad-jgbn]

Masham Allah very hard work very good reward 👍 very beautiful

[b_uppy]

They need more interplanting. Biome-appropriate, alley cropped trees, in rows shared with vines, and shrubs alternatjng with rows of annual and perennials will help conserve surface water. Soil is well protected and the soil biome creates optimal permeability and fertility. It reduces the need for pesticides, herbicides, irrigation, builds carbon and natural fertility, etc.
Avoiding disturbing the soil thru plowing is important.
Adding rainwater harvesting earthworks is important as well to quickly protect water from direct evaporation and to recharge aquifers instead of relying on "antique water."
The other leg of better agricultural practices uses livestock to manage weeds, pests and additional fertility. They must avoid overgrazing as it exposes soil/dirt to solarization...

Synthetic chemical inputs add a lot of salt, so relying on interplanting to enhance fertility instead is important.
Desalination is limited, it requires ongoing energy and technical knowledge, outside materials to sustain it,
It is best reserved as an occasional buffer.
Greenhouses are a mirage regarding viability. They increase heat, they are still using synthetic chemical inputs and pumped water. Shading nets are a better option while plants establish.

[anthonywilliams-vxcm]

They can use Solar Energy to Desalinate the well water.