AMMAN — Jordan is home to over 12 nature reserves and a wide array of unique flora and fauna, as well a wide range of
breathtaking landscapes ranging from mountains to forestry, which according to
environmentalists must be conserved to protect
Jordan's biodiversity, in order to attract ecotourism to the
Kingdom and increase the sector’s revenue.
اضافة اعلان
Minister of Environment Muawieh Radaideh,
in recent remarks to Al-Ghad News during a visit to Ajloun Forest Reserve last
week, highlighted the important role that natural reserves play in attracting
tourists to Jordan, particularly those interested in ecotourism, noting the
many royal initiatives and awareness programs focusing on Ajloun.
The
Ajloun Forest Reserve, with an area of
approximately 12sq.km., is rich with precious natural resources such as evergreen oak Quercus Calliprinos, Carob Ceratonia Siliqua, wild pistachio Pistacia Palaestina. Major animal species in the
reserve include wild boars, hyenas, as well as some unique birds like
greenfinches and doves. Another wondrous attraction in Ajloun Forest Reserve are
the ruins of Mar Ilyas, one of the oldest churches in Jordan that has religious
significance to many believers and can be enjoyed by hikers and visitors of the
reserve.
Acting head of protected areas at the
Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN), Hussam Alawaidat, told
Jordan News that RSCN employs 81 people in the ecotourism sector,
which highlights its employment potential and Alawaidat estimates that “there has been approximately a 60 percent decrease in revenues from
ecotourism, compared to previous years”.
The RSCN manages well over 23 ecotourism
initiatives, dispersed all over the Kingdom, including different facilities,
such as campsites, eco-lodges and restaurants.
The RSCN states on its website as major
concerns “illegal hunting and the general blatant disregard for the natural
world”.
“The biodiversity found in Jordan’s
reserves is a massive natural wealth that the RSCN aims to protect,” said Alawaidat,
adding that there are environment guidelines in place that ensure the safety of
these biodiverse areas. Ten of Jordan’s 12 natural reserves are managed by the RSCN,
which is funded partly by government assistance as well as through grants and
donations.
Alawaidat stated that “ecotourism is undeniably a very positive thing for Jordan, and a core aspect of RSCN's mission relates to nature conservation, while creating income-generating jobs and economic incentives for local populations. There are over 350 direct beneficiaries to our initiatives, and one of our long term projects involves improving the ecotourism sector.”
Minister of Environment spokesperson Ahmad
Obeidat told
Jordan News that one of
the biggest challenges related to enhancing ecotourism and increasing the
number of visitors arriving at reserves, is “the issue of transportation.
Reaching some of these reserves is a bit challenging, and there needs to be
more work done to improve these transportation networks.”
Obeidat said the ministry closely
collaborates with the RSCN to promote ecotourism across the Kingdom and to
highlight its latest projects, remarking that there efforts underway to
increase the number of eco parks in the Kingdom, by adding four new eco parks
and planting more trees.
According to Obeidat, the ministry is keen
to overcome the drop in ecotourism which occurred due to the outbreak of
COVID-19, but a recovery is not easy. “Of course we want to overcome the
economic and tourism-related challenges that the pandemic has created, but this
will depend on the health situation across the world and provided that visitors
abide by the latest health protocols.” Visitors interested in Jordan’s
ecotourism are a mix of foreigners and nationals.
Read more National news
.jpg)
.jpg)
