Azraq Wetland Reserve
Azraq Wetland Reserve | |
---|---|
Azraq | |
Area | 74 square kilometres (28.6 sq mi)[1] |
Established | 1978 |
Governing body | Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature |
Official name | Azraq Oasis |
Designated | 10 January 1977 |
Reference no. | 135[2] |
The Azraq Wetland Reserve is a
History
The wetlands were created around 250,000 BC
Azraq today
The Azraq wetlands have been described as in the state of "ecological collapse".[7] RSCN continues to fight an uphill battle against rising population and a growing demand for water.[7] The 10,000,000 cubic metres (353,146,667 cu ft) of water per year provided by the Jordanian Ministry of Water to maintain Azraq is only sufficient to restore Azraq to 10% of its original size.[10] As of 2018, there are more than 500 illegal wells still pumping water from Azraq.[4] In just 37 years, the number of migrant birds has reduced from 347,000 as of February 2, 1967, to 1200 birds as of February 2, 2000.[11] Azraq provides drinking water for one-quarter of Amman.[3] 25 square kilometres (9.7 sq mi) once covered by wetlands have now dried up.[9]
Accommodation
RSCN maintains an Azraq Lodge several kilometers away from the wetlands[7] which features a gift shop, restaurant, 16 rooms in a 1940s British military hospital,[12] and a reception area.
Trails and activities
The Marsh Trail is a raised platform going through the reserve that is approximately 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi).[12] Sections of the trail are on land going through the reeds. Halfway through the trail is the mud-brick "rustic bird hide", overlooking one of the reserve's lagoons, which is used for birdwatching.[12]
Wildlife
Birds migrating between Africa and
Prehistoric wildlife
From ancient times, Azraq was an ecological extension of Africa.
Religious Significance
The German mystic, Bl.
See also
- Dana Biosphere Reserve
- Wadi Mujib
- Wadi Rum
- Dibeen Forest Reserve
- Shaumari Wildlife Reserve
- Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature
- List of nature reserves in Jordan
References
- ^ "Reserves of Azraq and Shaumari". Archived from the original on 2009-05-03. Retrieved 2009-04-19.
- ^ "Azraq Oasis". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Archived from the original on 23 October 2015. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
- ^ a b Mackenzie, Debora (2012-04-18). "The Arab Spring puts a strain on Jordan's ecology". New Scientist. Archived from the original on 2021-11-17. Retrieved 2021-11-17.
- ^ a b Benaim, Rachel (2018-08-01). "Depleted: Water and Patience Are Running Out in Jordan". The Weather Channel. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
- ^ Rawashdeh, Saeb (2018-07-08). "Standing for centuries, Azraq Castle has more to tell". The Jordon Times. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
- ^ a b McConaghy, Amy (2021-10-27). "Battle to revive Jordan's shrinking wetlands and bring back migrating birds". The National. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g Matthew Teller. Rough Guide to Jordan. Rough Guides 2007.
- ^ French, Carole (2012). Jordan. Bradt Travel Guides. p. 153.
- ^ a b "Azraq Wetlands Reserve". Archived from the original on 2008-06-24. Retrieved 2008-04-18.
- ^ Whitman, Elizabeth (2019-09-04). "A land without water: the scramble to stop Jordan from running dry". Nature. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
- ^ Walker, Jenny; Clammer, Paul (2018-07-01). Lonely Planet Jordan. Lonely Planet.
- ^ a b c d e f Azraq Wetlands Reserve & Lodge brochure. RSCN/Wild Jordan.
- ^ "Birdwatching in Jordan: Where Birds From Three Continents Converge" (PDF). Jordan Tourism Board. p. 5. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
- ^ "World's Top Birdwatchers Will Race to Tackle Illegal Killing of Migratory Birds in Turkey". Doğa. 2017-02-17. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
- ^ .
- ^ a b Poster at the Azraq Museum.
- ^ Emmerich, Anne Catherine (1914). Brentano, Clement; Schmoger, Rev. Carl E. (eds.). The Life of Jesus Christ and Biblical Revelations. Charlotte, NC: St. Benedict Press. Retrieved 15 November 2022.