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Press Release
Conservation Action Plan for the vulnerable Syrian Serin; Serinus syriacus in Dana Biosphere Reserve, Jordan
Prepared by: Ehab Eid, Field Research Coordinator\ Project Coordinator
Dana Biosphere Reserve is characterized by diverse habitats, including highlands plateau with steppe vegetation, juniper and oak open woodland amongst rounded sandstone hills, rugged rocky slopes, gorges, sand dunes, and perennial streams lined with tress and oleander bushes. The reserve is located within Dana-Feinan IBA in the city of Tafila and covers a scenic part of the Sharrah highlands of Jordan. The area boasts an enormous diversity of faunal and floral species with at least 38 mammalian species, 43 reptilian species, three amphibian species, and 217 bird species (of which 80 species breed in the site), and 833 plants representing three different bio-geographical origins. Further, it is a natural habitat for birds with restricted range of occurrence in the Middle East area and Jordan such as the Syrian Serin, Serinus syriacus. In 1999, UNESCO declared Dana a biosphere reserve, serving as an international model for the integration of nature conservation with sustainable social and economic development
The Syrian Serin is one of the rarest passerine species worldwide, and it has a restricted range of occurrence in Jordan confined to a small area less than 40 km² in the Al- Barrah area within Dana Biosphere Reserve. The Jordanian breeding population in Dana Biosphere Reserve is declining; its area of occupancy has decreased by 25% since 1996 and the entire population was estimated at 500-700 pairs in 2011. This species is considered a vulnerable species according to the IUCN Red Lists, and it is listed in Appendix I of the Bonn Convention on Migratory Species.
Several challenges face the current population of the Syrian Serin. The Serin’s last natural breeding area in Jordan is threatened by human development within the Al Barrah area. The Serin’s habitat is constantly facing degradation due to drought conditions, grazing pressure, woodcutting, and multiple public entrances to the site all negatively affect its population. Unregulated picnicking activities are harmful on a multitude of levels. Conversations, even kept to a minimum, cause noise disruption. Garbage that is left behind not only affects the scenic value of the area, but also pollutes natural habitats. Uncontrolled hiking destroys the fragile balance of the local ecosystem. Perhaps most important, however, is the basic lack of awareness as to the presence of this species, its importance, and its habitat requirements in Al Barrah; people are simply unaware of its presence and significance.
Therefore, The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature will be implementing a project after a financial support from the Hima Fund in Qatar. The project proposes to establish a comprehensive action plan for 2012 that will ensure that the remaining population of the Syrian Serin’s key breeding and feeding areas in Dana Biosphere Reserve are conserved and protected for generations to come. This project will be implemented.
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Join 35 million people around the world in cleaning up and conserving their local environment
The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) in cooperation with the Arab Bank is organizing for the 3rd year a Clean Up activity on Saturday, October 15th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm in Dibeen Forest Reserve. Where the campaign will include the activity “Plant your plant and protect it at home" in addition to planting Aleppo Pine trees to substitute the ones were burned this year.
Campaign Program:
- - 8:30 am: Gathering at RSCN headquarter and head to Dibeen forest Reserve
- 10:00 am: a speech from the Director General of RSCN and start the clean-up campaign
- 11:30 am: Planting Aleppo pine trees & the Activity “Plant your plant and protect it at home"
- 12:30 pm: Snack, Eco- games, and Nature Station tour
- - 2:00 pm: Return to Amman
We invite you to join us in this campaign to work together in removing trash, planting the trees and protecting the beauty of our forests from litter.
Please pass on this invitation to friends and families. Children are welcome to join.
Note: kindly inform us if you wish to use your own transportation or the RSCN-provided bus which will depart from RSCN HQ/ Jubaiha at 9:00am.
For more information and to register participation, please contact RSCN’s public relations’ office, Direct telephone: 06 4633684- 0799095431 or email pr@rscn.org.jo
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AMMAN - UNESCO's declaration of Mujib as a biosphere reserve reinforces Jordan's position on the world eco-tourism map and calls for greater support of the country's nature sanctuaries, a senior government official said on Wednesday.
Minister of Environment Taher Shakhshir noted that the UNESCO announcement represents international recognition of Mujib’s unique ecosystems and its socio-economic programmes supporting local communities.
"This highlights the success of integrating nature protection with local development programmes implemented by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) in Mujib," he said during a celebration organised by the RSCN to officially announce UNESCO's declaration of Mujib as a biosphere reserve.
"Many people don’t appreciate the importance of protecting biological diversity, whether as a right for future generations or as a major pillar in the social and economic development process," Shakhshir said in his address.
Biosphere reserves are sites recognised by UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme where local communities are actively involved in governance and management, research, education, training and monitoring the service of both socio-economic development and biodiversity conservation.
Khaled Irani, chairman of the RSCN board of directors, underscored yesterday that Mujib is not only important for its location as the world's lowest-altitude reserve, but also for its integrated ecosystem, and linking nature protection and management with supporting local communities.
"The RSCN connects nature protection with socio-economic development; this approach has made nature protection a necessity for the Jordanian community rather than a luxury," he noted.
Irani cited the Dana Biosphere Reserve as an example of success in turning an abandoned village into a major eco-tourism destination in the world.
"The village used to get its rice and sugar supplies once a week, but now the local community in Dana generates between JD500,000 and JD1 million," Irani said, highlighting the role of eco-tourism in reviving local communities.
UNESCO Representative in Jordan Anna Paolini said Mujib was declared a biosphere reserve in July this year in recognition of its unique location and its programmes integrating nature conservation with community development.
"Mujib is among 18 new biosphere reserves that were added on July 1 to UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves, which now numbers 580 sites in 114 countries," she added.
Noting that Jordan is now home to two biosphere reserves, Paolini underscored that they are tools for promoting environmental stability and building links between biodiversity protection and socio-economic development.
The area has more than 90 rare plant species at the national level, according to the UNESCO website, which indicated that Mujib is home to one fish species endemic to the Dead Sea Basin and 24 mammal species of national, regional and global conservation importance.
The reserve encompasses high-altitude summits and waterfalls and is named after the 13-square-kilometre Mujib Valley, which runs through it, according to the RSCN.
Spread over a 212-square-kilometre area, the reserve also houses seasonal and permanent rivers that flow through several valleys, enabling the arid area to support diverse ecosystems and providing vital water resources for the shrinking Dead Sea.
The reserve also a vital site for migratory birds particularly since it is located on the Rift Valley-Red Sea Flyway, the world's second-most used route.
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The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) with support from the Embassy of the Czech Republic has officially opened the "Enhance the Environmental Practices and Handicraft Workshops in Dana Biosphere Reserve Project."
The new project, accomplished in 2010, consists of three major achievements. The first achievement is the installation of solar panels in Rummana Campsite which replaced the traditional kerosene and gas lantern by a clean and environmentally-friendly energy source for lighting and hot water for the whole camp.
The second achievement is the establishment of a new weaving workshop in Feynan Ecolodge which employs local Bedouin women to use recycled fabrics and traditional manual weaving looms to produce handicrafted items.
The third achievement of the project is the establishment of a candle-making project in Dana Village to produce new decorative and marketable artisan candles using natural perfumes and colors, and focusing on natural designs from the surrounding areas. The employees are local women from Dana Village.
Dana Biosphere Reserve, established in 1989, is Jordan’s largest nature reserve and covers 320 km2 of rugged and beautiful landscape along the face of the Great Rift Valley.
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On April 24, 2011, the Parliamentary Committee approved the construction of a military academy in the Bergesh Forest in Ajloun Governorate. The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) believes that this decision not only destroys ecologically and historically important Jordanian forests but also directly violates official regulations.
The proposed Jordanian Armed Forces military academy is estimated to cover 981 dunums. The first phase of construction will consist of clearing 45 dunums of forested land in Ajloun, thus removing a large number of trees and other plants from the area. Not only will such an action destroy the entire ecosystem of the area, it will destroy some 300 of Jordan’s centennial oak and maple trees.
Such actions are in clear violation of Jordanian law. The Agriculture Law, which is one of the strongest laws in the region, forbids uprooting, damaging, or violating any centennial or rare forest trees or wild plants, while the Environmental Protection Law explicitly requires any institution, company, or firm to conduct a thorough environmental impact assessment of their proposed project before initiating construction. The Jordanian government has consistently been committed to international conventions and treaties that work to preserve environmental resources both in Jordan and internationally, which is why the lack of adherence to these laws is so shocking and unacceptable.
It is absolutely imperative to note that our stance on the construction of the military institute should in no way be interpreted as RSCN’s lack of support for the Jordanian military. On the contrary, we are fully aware and proud of the role the Jordanian Armed Forces has played in protecting our homeland, on both national and international levels. Further, we recognize the economic potential of this project, in the form of both investment and employment opportunities. At the same time, however, acting outside of regulations or under vague terms does not serve to protect our environment, which is one of our most important national priorities.
RSCN has been entrusted by the Jordanian government to protect and conserve the country’s environment. As such, we have a deep understanding of the environmental conditions in our country as well as the symbolic role of our forests, which now constitute less than 1% of our national landscape. In particular, the Bergesh forest contains a rich ecosystem, boasting more than 100 plant species and many other animal species, some of which are rare or threatened. The environmental hazards that would result from the destruction of this ecosystem are great; therefore, we request that the team responsible for overseeing the project review the project site and find an alternative location within Ajloun that would not require the demolition of Jordan’s precious forests.
The United Nations has declared 2011 to be the International Year of Forests as part of its campaign to promote environmental awareness and work towards sustainable forest management for generations to come. With such an international eye turned towards us, will Jordan celebrate its forests by demolishing and destroying them?
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Amman, March 26th, 2011 – Continuing a three-year tradition, The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN), with support from Investbank and Hala FM, hosted “Lights Out Jordan: Earth Hour 2011,” welcoming hundreds of people to an evening of environmental awareness, entertainment, and, above all, commitments to change the world. Joining with hundreds of millions of people across the globe, participants in Amman gathered at the RSCN’s Wild Jordan Center, turned off their lights for one hour, and marched by candlelight through Jabal Amman in order to bring awareness to global warming while celebrating the strides that Jordan and the RSCN have taken to save the planet.
Now in its third year, the “Lights Out Jordan: Earth Hour 2011” event saw the largest number of participants yet. Youth from the Princess Basma Youth Center, government officials, and people from all backgrounds and walks of life came together to show their support for the planet.
Dina Bataineh, RSCN Communications Director, stated, “The simple act of switching off our lights during Earth Hour is symbolic of what we can accomplish as individuals united towards one cause. Earth Hour delivers a powerful message of hope for what can be done and a moment of celebration for what is being done that will continue to inspire others to join the global pursuit for a better and healthier world.”
As participants gathered at the Wild Jordan Center before turning out the lights, they were greeted with an abundance of activities that highlighted Jordan’s rich biodiversity, nature reserves, and conservation efforts throughout the Kingdom. Exhibits from local photographers illustrated the extensive natural beauty from all corners of the Kingdom, and video recordings from last year’s event were played, reminding participants of their individual commitment and personal promise to work towards environmental change.
Before embarking on the candlelit march, RSCN Director General Yehya Khaled asked participants to make a commitment to go beyond the hour and make a change for life: “The message of Earth Hour this year is to go beyond the hour, and commit to a more sustainable way of living, everyday and not just for an hour.” From carpooling to recycling, participants chose one lifestyle change that would help save the planet, starting at the simplest of levels: themselves. Participants then confirmed their dedication to these commitments by lighting their candles. As they walked through the Jabal Amman neighborhood, guided by music, they were led not only by the light of their candles but by the hope and promise that each candle embodied the promise that, together, their actions could change the world.
Those gathered at the Wild Jordan Center were not the only ones to celebrate Earth Hour 2011. All six RSCN nature reserves also participated in Earth Hour, turning off their lights for an hour and lighting candles, while others who were unable to attend the RSCN event turned off the lights in their homes, offices, and stores. The Greater Amman Municipality also joined the event by turning off street lights throughout Jabal Amman.
Earth Hour began in 2007 in Sydney, Australia, where 2.2 million individuals turned off their lights for one hour to stand up for action against climate change. A few years later, Earth Hour has attracted hundreds of millions of people with participation from almost 130 countries across the globe, with every individual, government and business making a commitment to environmentally sustainable action for the forthcoming year.
The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) is a non-profit non-government organization devoted to the protection and care of Jordan’s wild plants, animals, and natural landscapes. Wild Jordan is the division of RSCN responsible for socio-economic projects, including all eco-tourism and handicraft enterprises that link the protection of nature with the improvement of the livelihoods of local communities.
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In celebration of World Wetlands Day, on Saturday, February 19, the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) hosted World Wetlands Day 2011 in Azraq Wetland Reserve. Sponsored by Arab Bank and Sama Water, RSCN welcomed over 200 visitors for a fun-filled and educational day in the Azraq Wetland Reserve.
Moving through the Reserve in groups, visitors were treated to a special tour of the Visitor Center by Azraq Wetland Reserve Manager, Omar Shoshan, who spoke about the history of Azraq, including the excessive water pumping that still threatens to destroy the wetlands, as well as RSCN’s efforts to restore and rehabilitate the oasis. During this tour, participants also learned more about the global importance of wetlands as well as bird ringing initiatives, which allow scientists across the world to better study and understand the lifecycles of resident and migratory birds in Azraq.
Other activities included painting murals of Azraq’s sites and wildlife, bird watching from the rustic bird hide, playing eco-games, and learning more about the indigenous Azraq killifish from specialists. At the end of the day, as visitors returned home to Amman, they left with a better understanding of the global importance of the Azraq Wetland Reserve and a renewed dedication to preserve Jordan’s blue jewel in the desert.
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Tafila – Tuesday 30/11/2010 – Under the patronage of the Ministers of Environment and Tourism, and in the presence of the RSCN President and Tafila Governor, the Acting Mission Director for USAID Jordan, Mrs. Dana Mansuri, placed the cornerstone marking the first step in the renovation of Dana Village as Jordan’s first heritage village for tourism. With funds exceeding $2 million for the renovation, this project is part of a larger USAID funded program being implemented by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) that is developing eco-tourism in the south of Jordan.
The old Village of Dana sits at the edge of the Wadi Dana canyon, alongside the world-renowned Biosphere Reserve, in one of the most scenically spectacular locations in Jordan. As a result of eco-tourism programs initially developed in the Biosphere Reserve by RSCN, the Village has become an increasingly important tourist destination and gateway to the Reserve. However, like other old and beautiful villages in Jordan, the pressures of tourism and the need for local people to have better incomes, has led to unplanned and unsympathetic developments which threaten to destroy the historical character and beauty of the Village and, ultimately, its long-term tourism value.
RSCN began the renovation program in Dana Village in 2009, working closely with community organizations, householders, the local municipality and other stakeholders. The aim of the program is to make the Village Jordan’s first heritage village for tourism by renovating properties to a high standard and developing a wide range of tourism facilities within the context of a single master plan. By so doing, the project hopes to create a new international-standard tourist attraction, improved income and livelihood benefits for local people, and a model of sensitive village restoration that can be replicated in other villages throughout Jordan.
To date, a village master plan has been approved by the Governor and Stakeholder Steering Committee and 90 applications were received from village householders to renovate their properties for tourist facilities. A full property survey was undertaken and detailed designs prepared for a wide range of facilities, from small hotels to shops, studio apartments and cafes. When the renovation is completed, the Village will offer a wide range of different types of accommodation and other facilities for tourists, all of which will support the development of the Dana Biosphere Reserve as the Kingdom’s number one eco-tourism destination.
“This project is one of the most difficult and challenging RSCN has ever undertaken”, says Chris Johnson, the USAID Project Manager with RSCN. “We have been negotiating the Village master plan with the local community for over one year and it is great to finally see work starting on the ground”.
The Dana Village restoration is part of an $8.2 million USAID funded Eco-tourism Project that aims to create a world-class nature tourism complex in southern Jordan as a means to promote economic opportunities for poor rural communities and protect the Kingdom’s finest natural landscapes.
Yehya Khaled, RSCN’s Director General, explained that eco-tourism is used by RSCN as a critically important conservation tool, generating revenue to support the running costs of nature reserves like Dana, creating job and income generating opportunities for local people and raising awareness about the importance of nature conservation. “RSCN”, he said, “is very grateful to USAID and the American people for supporting our work. Through this support we are developing nature-based businesses that are contributing significantly to the protection of nature and to Jordan’s tourism economy”.
“This project is one of the most difficult and challenging RSCN has ever undertaken”, says Chris Johnson, the USAID Project Manager with RSCN. “We have been negotiating the Village master plan with the local community for over one year and it is great to finally see work starting on the ground”.
The Dana Village restoration is part of an $8.2 million USAID funded Eco-tourism Project that aims to create a world-class nature tourism complex in southern Jordan as a means to promote economic opportunities for poor rural communities and protect the Kingdom’s finest natural landscapes.
RSCN is a non-profit non-government organization devoted to the protection and care of Jordan’s wild plants, animals, and natural landscapes. RSCN is responsible for the management of Jordan’s nature reserves, which include Dana Biosphere Reserve, Mujib Nature Reserve, Ajloun Forest Reserve, Dibeen Forest Reserve, Azraq Wetland Reserve, Shaumari Wildlife Reserve, and recently established Yarmouk Nature Reserve.
Wild Jordan is the division of RSCN responsible for socio-economic projects, including all eco-tourism and handicraft enterprises that link the protection of nature with the improvement of the livelihoods of local communities.
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The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature, under the patronage of His Grace Mr. Hosam Al Tarawneh the Governor of Faggou’ County, organized an open day on Thursday at Mujib Nature Reserve whereby stakeholders and students met with each other to discuss the integrated water resources management in Mujib Nature Reserve. The open day focused on the students’ experience during the two months of “Let’s Be Wise” campaign. The students shared their role of interaction with the local community to discuss water issues and find ways to solve the problems in partnership with stakeholders and decision makers. Stakeholders from different governmental and non-governmental organizations (Environment, Water, Agriculture, Education, Rangers, Police and civil society organizations in Mujib) also attended.
The open day consisted of presentations by students about the wise use of water and problem-solving studies as well as showing their role of protecting this important natural resource. Moreover, it contained environmental games and activities prepared by the students in order to deliver many messages through.
Attendees visited the environmental garden where the students planted water tolerant plants using the drip irrigation system. As a result, students got the idea and its application, and started to plant similar gardens in schools.
Project undertaken with the financial support of the government of Canada provided through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).
Lead contracting partner: Wetlands International.
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 Prior to November 2007, RSCN has started implementing the activities of the project Integrated Ecosystem Management in the Jordan Rift Valley – IEM JO. RSCN believes that this project will change the face of nature conservation in Jordan and will take it into a higher level regarding several aspects, most importantly:
This project will try to develop environmental solutions for the ecosystem as a whole in the Jordan Rift Valley, which covers more than 30% of Jordan’s area. This specifically has not happened before in the history of nature conservation.
The project will work on establishing four new protected areas and this could be considered as a huge jump through the history of nature conservation in Jordan if compared to the six protected areas that the RSCN has established through the past 40 years.
Nationally pioneer activities in nature conservation will be developed and implemented through the project through the establishment of the special conservation areas, which will be managed by local community organizations.
The project will work on, for the first time in Jordan’s history, assessing the impact of climate change on biodiversity in Jordan. This would have great benefits for the Kingdom’s strategies in nature conservation.
are:
Ministry The project will not be able to achieve its goals without the help of all project partners that are providing a great amount of attention and cooperation in order to help in achieving these goals efficiently. These partners of Environment, Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation, Jordan Valley Authority, Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, Ministry of Agriculture, Jordan Hashemite Fund for Human Development and International Union for Nature Conservation, in addition to Jordan River Foundation and Queen Nour Foundation.
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