'THE GEOLOGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES OF DHUFAR PROVINCE, MUSCAT AND OMAN' [‎48r] (85/96)

VII. CONCLUDING REMARKS
Importance of Maps
107. I have indicated the maps I have used in connection with
my investigations in Dhufar (see paragraph 7), but these are on too
large a scale for geological mapping, and even those based on Air
Information are inadequate for any detailed work, whether engineer
ing projects or other development plans. A topographical survey of
the Dhufar plain is an immediate necessity, and such a survey could
be quickly carried out in the hills also. The map which was made
by Khan Bahadur Imam Sharif for publication with the Bents book,
Southern Arabia, is an example of rapid work by a trained Indian
surveyor. I should compute that a trigonometrical survey accom
panied by plane-table mapping and traverses for Revelling an area ol
4 500 square miles of the character of Dhufar province would require
five survey parties and could be completed in 10 months at a cost or
about Rs. 1,50,000. From this survey maps on the standard scales—
1 inch to the mile and 4 miles to the inch could be prepared and
show contours at 50 feet intervals, and, also larger maps, 4 inches
to a mile with 10 -foot interval contours at least of particular areas,
say, around the various springs— Garzaz, Sahnut, Rizat, etc —or
irrigation schemes and for hydro-electnc projects A detailed
geological survey of this Dhufar country, on a map of 1 inch to the
mile would probably cost Rs. 1,50,000, including a report of the
geological structure, description of fossils and analyses of samples,
and an outline of the resources, but it would not include detailed
exploration and borings for petroleum. It might, in the hands of an
experienced economic geologist, include the Pr^Pect 11 ^
the Talc or Soapstone, and very close examination of the bituminous
matter up the Ghaiz wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. .
Importance of Communications
108 Bv flying to Salalah from Karachi I saved perhaps 10 days’
sea voyage by motoring to Garzaz, Sahmrt Murbat and west of
K?s U t I must have saved another 10 days in the journeys alone and
the ease of getting from the aerodrome to the Palace and elsewhere
k srs