Bethany Beyond the Jordan is one of Jordan’s and the world’s most prominent religious and historical sites. Its spiritual significance is closely linked to the baptism of Jesus Christ, while its environmental and cultural value makes preserving it a national responsibility that extends beyond protecting the site to safeguarding its heritage for future generations.
اضافة اعلان
Abdullah Al-Bawari, director general of the Baptism Site Commission, told the Jordan News Agency (Petra) that including Bethany Beyond the Jordan in the national network of protected areas and declaring it a nature reserve covering 10 square kilometres marks an important step toward protecting biodiversity and natural resources while preserving the site’s religious and historical significance. The decision aligns with national efforts to safeguard Jordan’s natural and spiritual heritage.
Al-Bawari said the importance of this step stems from the close connection between the site’s natural environment and the spiritual and historical landscape associated with the baptism of Jesus Christ. He noted that the site is one of the world’s most prominent Christian pilgrimage destinations, combining religious and heritage value with environmental importance linked to the Jordan River, surrounding valleys and vegetation.
He added that the Baptism Site Commission already protects natural resources and biodiversity through its site management system and existing protection and monitoring measures. The proposed nature reserve designation would strengthen these efforts and provide a more integrated institutional and legal framework for protecting both nature and heritage, helping preserve this national legacy for future generations.
Al-Bawari explained that the commission would prepare a dedicated management plan for the nature reserve, integrated with the management plan for the World Heritage Site. This would ensure the preservation of Bethany Beyond the Jordan’s outstanding universal value while balancing biodiversity and habitat protection with the conservation of archaeological remains and the site’s cultural and spiritual landscape.
He said the proposed measures include monitoring plants, birds and sensitive habitats; conducting research studies; restoring degraded vegetation; and curbing encroachments and activities that could damage natural resources. They would also include regulating visitor movement to protect sensitive areas and preserve the site’s unique character and sanctity.
Al-Bawari highlighted the importance of strengthening partnerships and coordination with the Ministry of Environment, the Jordan Valley Authority, security agencies and relevant government and research institutions. Each would contribute within its area of responsibility to information sharing, more intensive monitoring and risk response, while avoiding overlapping roles and ensuring integrated, sustainable management of the site.
He said the plan to declare Bethany Beyond the Jordan a nature reserve comes as preparations begin for the second millennium of the baptism of Jesus Christ in 2030. The move would help prepare the site to receive pilgrims and visitors in the coming years and reinforce its position as a major religious tourism destination in Jordan.
He stressed that protecting the Jordan River, surrounding valleys, vegetation and natural landscape is essential to preserving the spiritual and heritage experience of pilgrims and visitors. Safeguarding these elements would also create opportunities to develop environmental awareness programmes and sustainable religious and cultural tourism, while adhering to regulations that protect the site’s sanctity and outstanding universal value.
Al-Bawari added that the initiative could support tourism services and related economic activities, opening new opportunities for local communities to benefit from the expected growth in visitor numbers over the coming years. He emphasised that achieving these benefits requires balancing economic development with environmental protection and preserving the site’s religious and historical identity.
The Cabinet decided to include Bethany Beyond the Jordan in the national network of protected areas and declare it a nature reserve covering 10 square kilometres, as preparations begin for the 2030 millennium of the baptism of Jesus Christ. The necessary procedures will be completed in accordance with applicable legislation.
Source: Petra
