Despite Jerash Governorate being home to dozens of water springs and natural wells that have served for decades as a lifeline for agriculture and a destination for picnickers, most of these sites remain outside organized tourism investment.
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Experts believe that developing and rehabilitating them could open new horizons for eco-tourism and enhance local development without affecting their primary role as water sources supporting the agricultural sector.
During the summer season, Jerash witnesses active tourist movement, as thousands of visitors from across the Kingdom head to the governorate to escape high temperatures, benefiting from its mild climate and green landscapes. Water springs, in particular, could serve as an additional attraction that would extend visitors’ stays and increase local spending.
The governorate is home to dozens of springs that have long served as water sources and recreational spots. However, many suffer from weak infrastructure and a lack of basic services, as well as the absence of facilities that would enable their tourism investment while preserving their primary role in agriculture and water supply.
Environmental and tourism stakeholders emphasize that these springs possess the necessary elements to be included in eco-tourism programs and hiking trails in the governorate. Many are located in areas of remarkable natural beauty that attract visitors during summer, making their development an opportunity to boost tourism activity and support local communities while protecting water resources.
Natural and Tourism Potential
Experts point out that, amid the need to preserve these vital resources and the ambition to invest in them sustainably, there is a growing demand for a comprehensive plan to develop Jerash’s springs and water sources. Such a plan would ensure their continued role in agriculture and water supply while opening new opportunities for the tourism sector.
They also note that springs such as Ain Al-Deek, Ain Al-Qairawan, and others distributed across villages and valleys represent key pillars of daily life and agriculture. They contribute to irrigating large areas of farmland and provide essential water supplies, in addition to their natural and touristic appeal for visitors and hikers during summer.
These springs are considered multi-functional resources not only water sources but also natural sites capable of attracting tourists and stimulating local economic activity if developed in a sustainable manner.
Farmer Nidal Al-Ayasrah stated that water springs in Jerash are increasingly important amid Jordan’s water challenges, as farms and orchards in various areas depend on them, helping preserve agricultural land that forms an essential part of the governorate’s economic and social identity.
He added that the flow of water from some springs has helped sustain fruit and vegetable cultivation and maintain hundreds of cultivated dunums, stressing that protecting and maintaining these water sources is essential for agricultural production and local food security.
Al-Ayasrah noted that the importance of these springs is not limited to agriculture but also extends to public services, as some serve as key water sources for citizens, making their preservation a shared responsibility requiring cooperation between official bodies and local communities.
A Set of Challenges
Tour guide Hassan Atemeh said that despite the natural appeal of these sites, many still lack the infrastructure and essential services needed to properly accommodate visitors. Some sites suffer from a lack of safe pathways, missing signage, poor maintenance and cleaning, and a shortage of seating areas and basic facilities.
He added that developing these sites does not require large-scale projects, but rather a clear vision based on sustainable eco-tourism. This includes creating walking trails linking springs with nearby natural sites and providing simple, environmentally friendly facilities.
Atemeh noted that several tourist trails pass near springs and waterways with stunning landscapes, but weak promotion and lack of services prevent full benefit from their potential.
Tourism expert and guide Dr. Yusuf Zreiqat said that including water springs in organized tourism programs would allow visitors to discover a different side of Jerash beyond its archaeological image, integrating nature, agriculture, and culture into a single experience that reflects the governorate’s diversity.
He added that developing these sites would positively impact local communities by creating job opportunities for youth and encouraging small tourism-related businesses such as rural kiosks, local agricultural products, guiding services, and family restaurants.
Stakeholders agree that investment in water springs must be based on a balance between economic benefit and environmental preservation, ensuring that development does not affect water quality or quantity or undermine their agricultural role.
They also stress the need for environmental protection programs, pollution monitoring, regular maintenance, and preservation of surrounding vegetation to ensure sustainability for future generations.
Toward Specialized Programs
Bashir Al-Ayasrah, Director of Dibeen Forests at the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature, said that amid growing global interest in eco-tourism, Jerash has a real opportunity to turn its springs into key destinations on the domestic tourism map, especially as the governorate combines nature, water, archaeology, and agricultural heritage in one geographic area.
He noted that water springs are not merely water sources but part of collective memory and local identity, as they have been linked to people’s lives for decades and witnessed the development of villages and agricultural activity.
He added that there is a need to launch specialized programs to rehabilitate, maintain, and develop springs while preserving their role in irrigation and water supply, and at the same time transforming them into sustainable tourism destinations that support the local economy.
Ultimately, between water that irrigates fields and nature that attracts visitors lies a promising development opportunity that could turn Jerash’s springs into a symbol of eco-tourism and sustainable development in the governorate.
Official agricultural development projects in Jerash have emphasized the importance of preserving water springs as key irrigation sources. Over recent years, the Agriculture Directorate has implemented projects aimed at improving water efficiency and reducing losses.
These efforts included lining irrigation channels over more than 3,000 meters in various agricultural areas and upgrading water transport networks to reduce leakage and evaporation.
Nearly 1,000 farmers have benefited from rainwater harvesting projects, which included the construction of approximately 1,000 water collection wells, enhancing the agricultural sector’s resilience to water scarcity, according to the Jerash Agriculture Directorate.
Estimates indicate the presence of more than 64 natural springs across Jerash Governorate, making it one of the richest Jordanian governorates in natural water resources.
These springs play multiple roles beyond irrigation, including supporting water supply and environmental sustainability, while many also hold strong tourism potential if properly developed with infrastructure and services.
AlGhad
