Jordan Times
Thursday, April 28, 2005
Queen Rania visits Azraq Wetland Reserve, urges coordinated efforts among societies
AMMAN (JT) — Her Majesty Queen Rania on Wednesday
applauded the citizens of Azraq for their success in utilising their area's
natural resources to achieve community empowerment through best marketing
practices of Jordan's natural and ecological wealth.
On a visit yesterday to the country's eastern region, Queen Rania met residents
of Azraq as well as representatives of NGOs working in the area, and listened to
them highlight their accomplishments and explain their needs to further boost
their communities.
The Queen took a tour of the Azraq Wetland Reserve where she got an overview
from reserve manager Sami Tarabay on the progress made in preserving wildlife
and water resources in the area and challenges still being faced.
Established in 1978, the Azraq Reserve is one of the oldest reserves managed by
the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN). It has undergone a $6
million restoration funded and implemented with the help of the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility, a member of
the World Bank Group.
The reserve offers a diverse range of facilities: Raised wooden trails through
the marsh, a beautiful hide for watching birds in shade and comfort, a visitors'
centre and fascinating archaeology, including a very rare Umayyad dam.
During the tour, Queen Rania chatted with students from RSCN nature clubs taking
part in activities as part of the environmental education programme undertaken
in collaboration with RSCN and schools in different parts of the Kingdom.
Meeting with officials and members of NGOs working in the north and south of the
Azraq area, Queen Rania urged that there be close coordination among them to
boost their capacity, secure more funding and generate more tourism, and
employment in the area.
As part of outreach and awareness programmes to empower NGOs in the area, RSCN
is working closely with local societies including Northern Azraq Ladies' Society
for Social Development, Al Azraq Cooperative Ladies' Society, Southern Azraq
Ladies' Society for Social Development and newly established Society for the
Empowerment of the Rural Women, and the Chechen Charitable Society.
Queen Rania then visited the Nature Reserve Workshop, which includes production
of environmental games, printing, sewing, recycled packaging and ostrich egg
painting.
Before leaving Azraq, Queen Rania dropped in at Prince Hamzah Elementary Public
School where she chatted with students and instructed that maintenance be
undertaken to improve its condition.
She also talked with residents of the area about their concerns to improve
educational, health and transportation services in the area.