• IDENTIFICATION
• LEGAL CLUSTERS
• GEOGRAPHIC CLUSTERS
• TRADE CLUSTERS
• ENVIRONMENT CLUSTERS
• OTHER FACTORS

I. Identification

1. The Issue

2. Description

Dana is located in the southern district of Tafila, about 200 kilometers south of Amman. Due to its wide variety of climate zones (it has mountain heights of 1500 meters and descends to the deserts of Wadi Araba), it is rich in wildlife. But, until recently, development and degradation threatened its biodiversity.

The history of the Dana project is very interesting and adds to the allure of the site. In 1992, a group of 12 women from Amman decided they wanted to help the people of Dana Village. The village had decayed to such a state where poverty and poor living conditions were forcing people to abandon Dana. The village lacked basic services and water was not reaching the village. When the project was started there were only 300 remaining villagers. The women, who called themselves the "Friends of Dana," saw a great potential in the village. It was beautiful, rich in culture, history and bordered what could be one of the most important nature reserves in the Kingdom. The group worked with the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN), the largest environmental non-governmental organization in Jordan, to raise funds to improve the infrastructure of Dana. As of 1997, they have renovated 65 village houses, built a new mosque, paved the main road and provided a new spring head so that people have easy access to water (1). This project, combined with the socio-economic project of RSCN, has given Dana a new start.

The Dana project officially ended in 1996. It was a $3.3 million initiative negotiated by the Government of Jordan, RSCN, the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Its main aims were to ensure the conservation of biodiversity of the Dana Wildlands Reserve and to enhance the capacity of RSCN to conserve biodiversity throughout Jordan (2). However, in 1997, the Global Environment Facility granted another $3 million to continue and expand the effort.

Under the project, surveys were conducted at the site to assess the status of the area. A wide variety of species were found including the possibility of three new plant species and over 25 globally threatened plant and animal species. In addition to these, over 90 archaeological sites were found in the area. In 1993, the Reserve, which covers 320 square kilometers, was officially declared. The RSCN then started the Dana Project a month later in January 1994.

The Dana Project consisted of a protected area management plan, a plan to involve the local people and a tourism plan. RSCN worked to develop a regulated zoning system that would define areas of activities. These include the Core Conservation Zones, which are areas restricted to people; the Grazing Zones, where livestock are permitted, and the Intensive Recreation Zones, where tourist facilities are located. The project had to deal with the human impact on the reserve. Bedouins living in the reserve and villagers living around it were all dependent on the resources. The Bedouins and the villagers relied on the vegetation for their own sustenance as well as for their livestock. However, what the RSCN found was that the area was overgrazed and the soil was eroding and becoming less productive. The challenge was to reorient the lifestyles of the indigenous people to a more conservationist mode.

The project turned to developing enterprises which could reconcile the human pressures on the environment. The Wadi Dana enterprises initiative was developed by building on local skills and initiatives. Opportunities were created for local people to gain a livelihood from the nature reserve without destroying it (3). Fruit growing on neglected trees around the village were turned into dried health foods. Medicinal herbs were introduced as a cash crop to terraced gardens. A jewelry making initiative was established. Artisans design and create a range of silver jewelry which are crafted in the likenesses of the plants and animals of the reserve. RSCN has asserted that these and other initiatives have brought increasing jobs and income to the local communities, and that the communities have come to rely on the presence of the reserve for their success.

In addition to the pressure of local peoples on the reserve, RSCN faced the pressure of development and industrialization. Limestone quarrying from a nearby cement factory and the threat of copper mining in the area presented challenges to the RSCN and the ecologic value of Dana. Quarrying and mining threaten the environment through the destruction of habitat, through the destruction of aesthetic appeal and through the contamination of groundwater and soil. Copper ore is found in Wadi Dana and Keherbit En-Nahas of the nearby Feinan area with reserves of about 60 million tons. Copper was mined, smelted and refined on a large scale for over 5,000 years in the area of Feinan in the Wadi Araba (4). Indeed, the copper deposits of Dana were the mainstay of a thriving copper smelting industry during Roman and Byzantine periods. In 1993, the Government of Jordan signed agreements with the World Bank and the RSCN that it would not extract copper in the reserve. However, in 1997 the Natural Resources Authority tried to enter the Dana Nature Reserve to take samples of copper deposits and is still showing interest (5). Mining is one of the most environmentally destructive activities and is a threat to natural resources and habitats around the globe.

A low-impact tourism initiative was developed. The first venture into eco-tourism in Jordan, it is a highly regulated tourism facility with limited access to people and vehicles. The hope is that tourists will also help the people of the village by buying their wares. Furthermore, virtually all the new tourism related jobs (including tour guides, rangers, campsite managers, cooks, cleaners, receptionists and shop managers) have been given to the local people.

So far, the project has been deemed a success. As of 1996, visitor numbers was 5,000 and covered 30 percent of the running cost of the reserve. By the end of 1996, tourism provided 14 jobs for local people. World Bank President James Wolfenson declared the Dana Reserve "...a model for successful nature conservation efforts elsewhere" (6). Challenges remain, but hopefully the Government of Jordan will realize the economic contribution low-impact tourism efforts offer.

Tourism in Jordan
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a small country located in the Levant region of the Middle East. Bordered by Israel and the Occupied Territories, Syria, Iraq and Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom measures approximately 89,000 square kilometers and has a population of approximately 5.9 million (7).

The country has seen years of conflict and turmoil, though under the constant rule of its monarch, King Hussein. The country was established as Transjordan in 1921 and was under British mandate until 1946. Upon independence, Jordan had to define its place in the Middle East and the world economy.

Land-locked and resource poor, the country has been classified as a lower-middle income country by the World Bank. The average annual per capital income is $1,500 (8). It has absorbed three waves of refugee immigrants to the country and has suffered economic setbacks as the result of various policies. Most recently, the nonalignment of Jordan to the international effort to remove Iraqi forces from Kuwait during the 1991 Gulf War was very detrimental to the country. It suffered both economically and politically. Years passed before normalcy resumed between the Kingdom and its neighbors who did participate in the war. Also, the country became estranged from the United States. The Kingdom's economy was linked to Iraq for trade. Jordan receives most of its oil from Iraq. Jordan was also dependent on Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states for aid and as a result of its policies, suffered a cutback. The recent peace treaty signed between Jordan and Israel was thought to be the spark for economic prosperity in the country. Unfortunately, it has not yielded the returns that were expected.

While the country does not possess significant quantities of prized resources such as oil or gas, it does possess a vast wealth of historical, cultural and natural riches that the country is trying to exploit. Tourism has been a key economic development scheme that the country has focused on. Today, one sees numerous construction sites in the capitol, Amman and at major tourist sites like Petra and Aqaba. It is the hope that this industry will bring the much-needed economic relief the country has been seeking.

The tourism sector in Jordan, however, has not yet reached its potential. In 1989, tourist arrivals comprised only about 28 percent of total nonresident arrivals (638,980 tourists). In 1990 and 1991, the number decreased considerably because of the Gulf War (9). Queen Noor reported that since the peace treaty there has been a $500 million investment in tourism in the country (10).

Regionally, Jordan is located at the cradle of civilization and the birthplace of the three major monotheistic faiths. It lies at the crossroads of major historical trade routes. It is a country whose borders encompass historical and cultural treasures. It is most famous for the Nabataean City of Petra. The "Rose Red City" is located about 250 kilometers south of Amman and is an archaeological marvel. A city built entirely in stone, artifacts are continuously being uncovered. But, Jordan has much to boast about in addition to Petra. There are Roman ruins in Jerash, Um Qeis, Pella, as well as other cities. The famed desert castles, used by the Ummayids and the Crusaders, are scattered throughout Jordan. The gulf port of Aqaba at the mouth of the Red Sea is a resort town, and is historically and archaeologically significant. (The oldest Christian church in the world was recently uncovered at Aqaba.) Jordan is home to the lowest point on earth, the Dead Sea, and Lawrence of Arabia's old stomping grounds in Wadi Rum. Sites of religious significance may be found in Jordan, as well. These include Madaba and Mount Nebo, where Moses is believed to have been buried, Lot's Cave and many more. In addition to the ruins found in Jordan, the country offers the beauty and splendor of its natural landscape. From the desert in the south and east to the lush mountains in the North, the small country possesses a wide variety of topographies and climates. Officials at the Jordan Tourism Board reported that it is not difficult to get people to return to Jordan. However, it is difficult to get people to come the first time. This entails a major marketing campaign to attract people to Jordan as their primary destination.

However, tourism is a double-edged sword. While it may provide the economic returns desired, it may lead to the degradation of the resource that is being marketed. It is this tricky balance between preservation and development facing those in the tourism industry. That is why I think Dana should get more attention. It may point the way to a more sustainable form of tourism.

It may be too early to gauge whether or not Dana is truly a success. (Although most would agree that it is.) Dana is a model of where tourism can go in Jordan. Jordan is a country that is limited by its geographical location and topographical features. It is a beautiful country, but does not possess significant quantities of water. This may prove to be a severe obstacle to its tourism plans. However, if the country were to engage in more environmentally-friendly and low-impact efforts such as Dana, that obstacle may be overcome.

3. Related Cases

Key Words:

Industry: Tourism

Continent: Middle East

4. Draft Author:

II. Legal Clusters

5. Discourse and Status:

6. Forum and Scope:

7. Decision Breadth:

8. Legal Standing:

In 1996, the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) was established with the aim of preserving the natural environment of Jordan and its wildlife. The Society has planned a complete system of reserves to cover the different habitats of the country (11). To date, six have been established and six more will be completed by the end of the century. Through its technical staff and experts from Jordanian universities, the RSCN has played a significant role in wildlife protection, especially in restoring the Arabian oryx and wild gazelle populations (12).

The RSCN was the implementing agency of the Dana project. The project aimed to accomplish more than the already mammoth task of establishing a nature reserve in Dana, but to renovate the neighboring village of Dana and the development of tourist facilities. The project aimed to provide economic benefits to the local people throught the creation of local employment opportunities. The $3.3 million initiative was negotiated by the Government of Jordan, RSCN, the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

III. Geographic Clusters

9. Geographic Locations

a. Geographic Domain: Mideast

b. Geographic Site: Asia

c. Geographic Impact: Jordan

10. Sub-National Factors:

11. Type of Habitat:

The Kingdom's topography is so varied that there are many climates within the country. It has been classified by most as a semi-arid country. Jordan experiences six months of a rainy season (November through April) with the summers being long, hot and dry. The average annual rainfall in the country is about 8.5 billion cubic meters. More than 85% of the rainfall is lost to evaporation and only 5% recharges underground aquifers (13).

Dana's varied landscape is a sort of microcosm of the Kingdom. The western parts of Dana are desert and in the east there are cool, moist mountains. Therefore, Dana is home to many kinds of plants and animals.

IV. Trade Clusters

12. Type of Measure:

13. Direct v. Indirect Impacts:

14. Relation of Trade Measure to Environmental Impact

a. Directly Related to Product: Yes (Tourism)

b. Indirectly Related to Product: No

c. Not Related to Product: No

d. Related to Process: Yes (Habitat)

15. Trade Product Identification:

16. Economic Data

Revenues from tourism in Jordan have increased in recent years. In 1991 and 1992, the country faced a setback as a result of the Gulf War. But, since then, tourism receipts have risen.

17. Impact of Trade Restriction:

18. Industry Sector:

In 1994, the World Bank estimated that the total number of tourists in Jordan was under its potential. The Bank determined that in order to benefit from the expected growth in tourism in the area, Jordan would have to expand its tourism capacity agressively (16).

Queen Noor believes that eco-tourism is the only sustainable tourism possible, especially for Jordan which is already ecologically fragile and which must maintain its archaelogical and cultural riches (17).

19. Exporters and Importers:

The majority of tourists entering Jordan are from the Gulf countries (74% in 1992) (18). Jordan receives an influx of tourists from these countries in the hot summer months. (Since Jordan is relatively northern, and is not as hot and humid as countries along the Gulf. Furthermore, the terrain of Jordan is mountainous and is quite cooler than, for example, Saudi Arabia or Kuwait.) Europeans comprised about 18 percent in 1992. The rest come from North and South America, New Zealand, Australia and Japan (19). Many tourists come to Jordan because of the religious sites in the country. Also, its proximity to Jerusalem draws many daytrippers. Jerusalem is typically the main destination for tourists from America and Europe. For example, many people make pilgramages to the holy sites in Jerusalem. Israeli tourists have increased since the Peace Treaty. (The borders were opened and this facilitated travel between the two countries.) However, it has been noted that of the Israelis who come to Jordan, they typically make daily excursions to Petra (which has not really provided much economic benefit to Jordan since the tourists do not stay overnight and do not spend much money).

Dana is now receiving upwards of 5,000 tourists. Through a marketing campaign which includes incorporating Dana into tour packages, Dana is enjoying a large number of visitors. Jordan is typically known for the ruins at Petra and Jerash, but now a small village in the middle of nowhere is receiving attention. Many tourists are those who enjoy nature-based travel and wish to participate in low-impact tourism. As far as I could tell, there does not exist a visitor profile of the tourists to Dana. Therefore, I cannot tell you where the tourists are coming from or how long they are staying. From my own observations, tourists to Dana are typically foreigners (meaning from outside Jordan) and stay for an average of two nights.

V. Environment Clusters

20. Environmental Problem Type:

In 1993, Jordan ratified the United Nations Convention on Biodiversity. Since then, the Kingdom has prepared a Biodiversity Country study which is a survey of existing and endangered species in the country (20). Dana is home to at least 25 endangered species of animals and plants. It is also a migration stop of numerous birds.

21. Species

A wide variety of species of plants and animals have been found in the Reserve. As noted above, under the project, surveys were conducted to assess the status of the area. Over 25 globally threatened plant and animal species were counted. These include the Sand Cat, Syrian Wolf, Lesser Kestral, and the Spiny Tailed Lizard, to name a few.

IUCN Status: Endangered

22. Resource Impact and Effect:

23. Urgency and Lifetime:

Low and 100s of Years

24. Substitutes:

VI. Other Factors

Dana Homepage

"Jordan's Nature Reserve Finds Room for All" by Dominic Evans.

http://www.undp.org/seed/gef/jor-cons.htm

UNDP Article

The Dana-Faynan Epipalaeolithic Project

Fauna and Flora International Homepage

Discovery Travel and Eco-Tourism Page

Interview with Quen Noor

The World Bank. Peace and the Jordanian Economy. (Washington, D.C.: The World Bank, 1994).

Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and the Environment, Department of the Environment and the World Conservation Union (IUCN). National Environment Strategy for Jordan: A Resource Book of Information and Guidelines for Action. 1991.

World Resources Institute in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme, the United Nations Development Programme and the World Bank, World Resources Report 1998-1999 (New York: Oxford University Press, 1998).

Ahmad, Abdullah A. Jordan Environmental Profile Status and Abatement. 1989.

29. Endnotes

1. ---"The Road to Dana" Al Reem (Amman, Jordan: RSCN) Volume 60, March 1997.

2. Johnson, Chris. "Dana: Helping Nature Helping People" Al Reem (Amman, Jordan: RSCN) Volume 60, March 1997.

3. Ibid.

4. ---"Copper Mining: The Ever Present Threat" Al Reem (Amman, Jordan: RSCN) Volume 60, March 1997.

5. Evans, Dominic. "Jordan's Nature Reserve Finds Room for All" (Reuters, June 16, 1998).

6. Al Reem (Amman, Jordan: RSCN) Volume 60, March 1997.

7. World Resources Institute, in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme, the United Nations Development Programme and the World Bank. World Resources Report 1998-1999 (New York: Oxford University Press, 1998), p. 245.

8. Ibid., p. 237.

9. The World Bank. Peace and the Jordanian Economy. (Washington, DC: World Bank, 1994), p. 32.

10. Interview with Her Majesty, Queen Noor and Ms. Samar Daoud for Al-Mushahid Assiyasi, February 4, 1997.

11. The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN). RSCN date unknown.

12. Ibid.

13. Ghanzawi, Ali. "Development of Land and Water Resources in Jordan" (United Nations)

14. Data from the Jordan Tourism Board.

15. Al Reem (Amman, Jordan: RSCN) Volume 60, March 1997, p. 15.

16. The World Bank. Peace and the Jordanian Economy. (Washington, DC: World Bank, 1994), p. 32.

17. Interview with Her Majesty, Queen Noor and Ms. Samar Daoud for Al-Mushahid Assiyasi, February 4, 1997.

18. The World Bank. Peace and the Jordanian Economy. (Washington, DC: World Bank, 1994), p. 32.

19. The World Bank. Peace and the Jordanian Economy. (Washington, DC: World Bank, 1994), p. 32.

20. Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and the Environment, Department of Environment. National Environment Strategy for Jordan (IUCN, 1991).