Environment and Water
Overview
Jordanian people have long been aware of the importance of protecting the environment.
Jordan is the only Arab country among the original group of 30 countries that supported the World Conservation Strategy (WCS) in 1980. The WCS declaration encouraged all countries to draw up a national strategy for environmental protection. The Department of Environment's primary aim, when it was established, was planning for a national strategy, which was formulated and approved by the Jordanian government in May 1991.
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Environmental Issues
Environmental issues in Jordan include
water,
land,
fauna ,and flora.
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Water
Introduction
Jordan today stands face to face with the reality
of potentially frightening water shortages. In a largely arid region, even the
slightest change in water levels or quality has a significant impact on
agriculture, industry, nutrition, and personal health standards. The hard
reality is that Jordan is consuming more water than it has available from secure
(annually renewable) sources. A water catastrophe is imminent, as groundwater
resources will slowly dry up.
Climatic changes causing shorter rainy seasons
and lower rain levels are attributed to the depleting ozone layer, increasing
global pollution, degenerating environmental conditions, and the changing
weather cycle across the country, which seems now more than ever to be affected
by desert climatic conditions.
Experts believe that by the year 2005 secure
sources will rise slightly to 970 mcm, while demand will increase to 1527 mcm.
Jordan consumed 983 mcm of water in 1995, of
which 183 mcm were pumped from ground water over and above the levels of
sustainable yield. Likewise, about 65 mcm were pumped from non-renewable fossil
water in the southeast of the country. Jordan's 1995 consumption of 983 mcm
exceeded by 49 percent Jordan's renewable water resources. A comparison with
some of Jordan's neighbors reveals that, while a Jordanian in 1993 had an annual
water share of 240 cubic meters, an Egyptian averaged 1,200, a Syrian 1,450, and
an Israeli 450 cubic meters.
In the capital Amman, water needs are estimated
at 300,000 cm a day. This is 90,000 cm more than the maximum available daily
water levels, a deficit of 35 mcm a year. Such severe water shortages have
forced the government to impose a rationing program, whereby domestic water
supply is pumped twice a week during summer months.
According to official figures, the country's
water deficit stands at 38mcm for the three summer months from June to
September. Eighty-two mcm of water are available, but 120mcm are required.
Jordanians are supplied with only 90 litres of water per capita a day.
This is already one of the lowest water consumption rates in the world:
According to the World Health Organisation, "normal" water consumption
rates should hover around 170 litres per capita daily.
Jordan's water needs amount to 1.150 billion cubic metres yearly. But only 850
mcm are available, of which 26 per cent goes to domestic use and tourism (around
250 mcm a year), five per cent to industries (around 30 mcm) and the rest, 70
per cent, meaning 570mcm, goes to agriculture, which, according to the Central
Bank, directly contributes to 3.8 per cent of the GDP.
Water Sources
Jordan ultimately depends largely on rainfall.
Other sources of water come from non-renewable (fossil water) reservoirs –
such as the Disi reservoir on the Jordanian-Saudi border – and treated
wastewater (a trickle of actual needs). The Jordan and Yarmouk rivers are both
major sources of surface water for Jordan, but both had become highly
undependable due to upstream diversion and over-pumping by Syria and Israel. The
King Talal Dam is Jordan’s largest above-ground water reservoir.
>> Challenges
of Jordan's Water Sector <<
Presented by the Ministry of Water and
Irrigation
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Agriculture and Lands
Jordan’s environmental strategy has to manage natural resources to their full potential, while conserving the resources that are necessary for human growth and survival. These resources include soil, water, plant cover and climate. The strategy would maintain biological diversity by protecting species of animals, plants and micro-organisms in their agricultural environments, and would ensure productivity of environmental systems such as forests, grazing lands, and agricultural lands.
Some urgent issues that need attention are:
Increase soil erosion.
Destruction of land resources by cutting trees and other plants.
Misuse of agricultural chemicals, wastes, and wastewater.
Wildlife and Habitat
Jordan’s biogeography includes regional differences which account for the diversity
of wildlife in Jordan. The number of wildlife species is limited, however, and development of land is infringing upon limited wildlife habitants.
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The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature has established eight nature reserves and five more are planned.
Mammals: More than 70 species and sub-species of mammals, comprising 24 genera and 7 orders, are estimated in Jordan.
Birds: 350 species of birds, predominantly migratory, are estimated.
Reptiles:73 species are estimated.
Amphibian: There are 4 species of amphibian.
Fish: Freshwater species, 18-20; marine species, approximately 1,000.
Atmosphere and Air Quality
International standards involved in environment issues are applied when considering air pollution levels.
Air Pollution Sources
Stationary sources such as plants, refineries, mines, gas stations and domestic areas.
Mobile sources such as Jordan’s vehicles that use gasoline and diesel oil, airplanes, ships and trains.
Natural sources such as sand and dust storms.
Other natural sources of atmospheric pollution are cosmic rays and natural radioactive isotopes in air particles.
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