Jordan Times
Friday, October 29, 2004
Queen Rania, Prince Charles visit Ajloun reserve
AMMAN — Her Majesty Queen Rania and the Prince of
Wales on Thursday visited the Ajloun Nature Reserve — a pioneer ecotourism
project launched by the Jordan River Foundation (JRF) in cooperation with the
Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN).
The reserve, inaugurated by Queen Rania last month, highlights the importance of
environmental protection while promoting sustainable community development by
establishing income-generating activities in the surrounding woodland area.
Accompanied by HRH Prince Ghazi Ben Mohammad, the King's private adviser and
personal envoy, as well as British Ambassador Christopher Prentice, Prince
Charles was greeted by schoolchildren wearing the traditional costumes of Ajloun.
Queen Rania and Prince Charles were briefed by RSCN President Senator Layla
Sharaf about the nature reserve project which started 18 months ago, following
which RSCN Projects Director Chris Johnson gave a brief overview of the
society's work and future plans in the area.
Touring the reserve's campsite enabled Queen Rania and Prince Charles to take a
firsthand look at products and facilities provided at all of the Kingdom's
nature reserves through samples showcased in the reserve's different cabins.
These include the Dana, Mujib, Azraq, and Shomari reserves through which RSCN
hopes to spread awareness on environmental protection while encouraging optimal
use of touristic, environmental, geographical resources in such areas.
Her Majesty and the Prince of Wales were also given an overview of the JRF role
in Ajloun highlighting efforts in social and economic community empowerment by
JRF Director General Maha Khatib.
Before concluding their visit, Prince Charles and Queen Rania also met with a
group of children from the area benefiting from the eco-tourism and
environmental education programmes.
Earlier yesterday, Prince Charles visited one of JRF's projects — Al Karma
Centre in Jabal Natheef. The project, inaugurated by Queen Rania in September
2002 provides assistance in generating employment opportunities and creating
cooperation between local communities, government and private organisations.
The centre includes five projects: Al Karma Kitchen project, Jordan River Design
project, Wadi Al Rayan project, Al Karma Nursery, and the Training Institute.
The Prince of Wales is in Amman on a four-day working visit on the last leg of a
tour that has already taken him to Turkey and Italy.
His visit, at the invitation of Their Majesties King Abdullah and Queen Rania,
includes trips to development projects and educational and cultural programmes
being implemented in the Kingdom, which receive financial and technical support
from various British institutions.
Yesterday, Prince Charles also visited Mount Nebo and the Baptism Site.
A nonprofit NGO founded by Queen Rania in 1995, JRF spearheads many projects in
Ajloun Governorate that provide employment opportunities and training courses
for local residents.
The latest venture currently under way is the promotion and implementation of
Ajloun Master Plan, an ambitious urban development plan that will formulate a
vision and public investment programme for sustainable development and tourism
promotion in Ajloun city, Ajloun Castle, Anjara and the surrounding area.
The plan entails working on identifying protected zones and defining areas with
tourist potential to be prompted for investment in recreational and ecotourism
infrastructure. It will also update and improve zoning plans for urban
settlements and identify opportunities for the economic rejuvenation of urban
areas.
With the direction of Queen Rania, JRF is now planning a pilot project in Ajloun
to certify and promote organic farming in the governorate, introducing new
technologies and techniques, improving incomes by establishing new markets and
responding to the growing local demand for organic produce.
Ajloun was selected as the pilot governorate since it has the needed
requirements: Average rainfall, type of soil and the extent of agricultural and
livestock activities.
While the reserve is the first ecotourism project in Ajloun and the most unique
in terms of the resources and services offered, the master plan goes in line
with the vision of promoting sustainable community development while preserving
different areas of the Kingdom culturally, historically, and ecologically.
The Ajloun Reserve therefore merges efforts in environmental protection as a
means to promote sustainable community development through developing ecotourism
activities within and around the area as a means of supporting conservation
programmes and providing job opportunities for the local community.
The pioneer initiative in Ajloun, a haven of rolling hills covered by dense
woodlands rich in natural, agricultural and human resources, promises great
tourism potential.
The Ajloun Nature Reserve project, funded by the Spanish Agency for
International Cooperation and the Japanese embassy, is now serviced by 10
cabins, a restaurant with a splendid view of the reserve, a visitor information
centre, a research centre and a handicraft production centre.