坎儿井( Karez)是新疆干旱地区的一种水利系统,由地下渠道将水井连接而成。该系统将春夏季节渗入( seep into)地下的大量雨水及积雪融水收集起来,通过山体的自然坡度引到地面,用于灌溉农田和满足人们的日常用水需求。坎儿井减少了水在地面的蒸发( evaporation),对地表破坏很小,因而有效地保护了自然资源与生态环境。坎儿井体现了我国人民与自然和谐共存的智慧,是对人类文明的一大贡献。

Karez is a water conservancy system in the arid area of Xinjiang. It is formed by underground channels connecting wells. The system collects a large amount of rainwater and snow melt water that seep into the ground in spring and summer, and draws it to the ground through the natural slope of the mountain to irrigate farmland and meet people's daily water needs. Karez reduces the evaporation of water on the ground and does little damage to the surface, thus effectively protecting the natural resources and the ecological environment. Kanerjing embodies the wisdom of the harmonious coexistence of our people and nature, and is a great contribution to human civilization.