Jordan Times
Tuesday, November 6, 2001

Japanese grant to enhance eco-tourism in Ajloun reserve

By Ruba Saqr

Earmarked to promote environmental awareness and education in the oak-tree reserve, the grant will help the RSCN in establishing a visitors centre, a campsite and an information centre to promote nature-based tourism there.

One of six natural reserves managed by RSCN, Ajloun will also be promoted through printed educational material to acquaint tourists with the area's wildlife and ecological diversity. Booklets and brochures will highlight the area's unique ecosystem of evergreen oak forests, punctuated by pistachio, pine and wild strawberry trees.

“This project will also greatly help [the local communities in] the northern area,” RSCN Director General Khaled Irani told Japanese Ambassador Shintaro Sasaki during the signing ceremony.

Adopting a philosophy that “links nature conservation with economic development,” the RSCN has over the years encouraged men and women from humble socio-economic backgrounds to manufacture simple handicrafts using natural and organic material, according to RSCN officials. The sale of products like organic soaps and medicines has brought economic benefits to the people living around the country's protected areas, they said.

Sasaki said the Japanese were encouraged to extend the third round of such financial assistance to the RSCN yesterday after the success of joint environmental endeavours in earlier years. In 1995, Tokyo helped in developing a guest house in Dana Reserve, and in 1997 funds were provided to re-introduce the Nubian Ibex, a once extinct mountain gazelle, to the Wadi Mujib reserve.

The new grant will help spread awareness about the animals in Ajloun's forests, such as badgers, foxes and wild boars, and prevent wood cutting, illegal grazing and hunting. It will also be used to draw public attention to the importance of protecting the area's birds, like the great tit, goldfinch, turtle dove, hooded crow and jay.

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