AZRAQAZRAQ OASISOASIS RESTORATIONRESTORATION JORDANJORDAN
20092009 -- 20102010
International Union for Conservation of Nature AZRAQAZRAQ BASINBASIN
Is one of the most important recharging groundwater basins in Jordan.
It forms the largest resource of good- quality ground and surface water in Jordan.
located in the Northeastern part of the country, extending northwards into Syria and southwards touching the border with Saudi Arabia.
The Azraq Oasis is a large mudflat located in the central and lowest part of the basin, 120 km North-East of Amman.
International Union for Conservation of Nature Azraq Basin consists of three aquifer systems
1.The upper shallow fresh water basalt aquifer currently under the threat of salinization due to overexploitation.
2.The middle limestone brackish water aquifer (600 to 15,000 mg/l) aged more than 30,000 years
3. The deep sandstone aquifer which has low yields and poor quality water.
International Union for Conservation of Nature AZRAQAZRAQ OASISOASIS
Is a unique ecosystem in a fragile environment
The remaining wetland is recognized as a RAMSAR Site
Contains a wealth of biodiversity and habitats, and the richest habitat of all exists in its wetlands, which are extremely rare in the region.
Was especially important for migratory birds, with up to a million birds utilizing the area during the course of a single spring migration.
International Union for Conservation of Nature The Main challenging
A= B+C+D (sustainable use) B+C+D>A (actual use) Potential: B+C=A if C < 25% for Amman/Zarqa
A is the Aquifer Flow B is the wetland C is for Agriculture use D is for Domestic use International Union for Conservation of Nature AzraqAzraq Basin/Basin/ OverviewOverview
Safe abstraction – 20 MCM But today … •20 MCM go to cities •40 MCM go for agriculture •200% over-abstraction
International Union for Conservation of Nature
International Union for Conservation of Nature SOSO KEYKEY CHALLENGESCHALLENGES FACINGFACING THETHE BASINBASIN Over-pumping from the shallow aquifer has resulted in:
a significant depression exceeding 20 meters on the groundwater table level;
water quality deterioration, related to the intrusion of brine groundwater from the middle aquifer into the shallow aquifer;
complete degradation of the organic soils surrounding the wetland.
International Union for Conservation of Nature WHATWHAT ABOUTABOUT PEOPLEPEOPLE ININ AZRAQAZRAQ
Exponential loss of cultural and natural heritage and values
Very little benefits
Loss of belonging
Weak influence and possible conflicts of interest Results, poor trust and irrational expectations International Union for Conservation of Nature Formulation Phase
Exploitation of the nature Raising socio- economic Desertification value as one of Rasmsar Loss of i nvest ment Water supply/ decrease in conflict and drought Wetland site value for Azraq water level and quality
Ecosystem in a bad condition
Loss of biodiversity Reduction in natural flow Water retained in Syria I ncrease of soil sali ni t y
Poor water quality Intrusion of salty water into fresh water basins Insufficient use of surface Illegal use & digging Lack of Agricult ural & water to feed ground water of wells water extension services No pumping alternatives of fresh Disposal of semi- treated Over pumping Weakness in land & water water to Amman Randomness of welling from aquifers tenures water into dried up wells
Absence of support ing No coverage by sewage Climate change Regression in agricultural productivity policies and regulation networks Urban development
International Union for Conservation of Nature SO WHAT IS MISSING!!!
Lack of local participation No communication Poor transparency Conflicting interests No means for coordination Mostly sectoral centred
No platform for effective dialogue
International Union for Conservation of Nature SO IT’S TIME TO ACTION!!!
International Union for Conservation of Nature SYSTEMATICSYSTEMATIC APPROACHESAPPROACHES TOTO IWRMIWRM IS THE WAY
Scarcities and different perceptions about needs and urgency
create conflicts of interests and priorities
Two perceptions are often two sides of same coin
International Union for Conservation of Nature INTEGRATED WATER RESOURSE MANAGEMENT
International Union for Conservation of Nature KEY PARTNERS
GO’s: NGO’s: Ministry Of Environment Arab Women Organization Ministry of Water and Irrigation Badia Development and Research Ministry of Agricultural Center Ministry of Planning Royal Society for Conservation of Ministry of Interior Nature Azraq Municipality Mercy Corps
International Union for Conservation of Nature Main Goal: Restoration and Development of Azraq Oasis
ImprovedImproved LivelihoodLivelihood SustainSustainableable uusese ooff AquiferAquifer
DeveloDeveloppmmentent ooff sysystemstem Implementation of pilot project Implementation of pilot project totoolsols
DevelopingDeveloping proposalsproposals forfor CapacityCapacity building/building/ aa lloong-ng-tertermm vviisisionon aanndd EmpowerEmpowermentment strategystrategy onon sustainablesustainable useuse ooff ththee AzraqAzraq aaququiferifer
ShareShare andand communicatecommunicate infoinformationrmation andand knowknowledgeledge acquiredacquired atat thethe nationationnalal anandd regiregioonnalal levellevel
International Union for Conservation of Nature AZRAQAZRAQ OASISOASIS DIALOGUEDIALOGUE
The Purpose is to build Capacities of Stakeholder in systemic and participatory approaches in planning, restoration, development and management of the restoration of Azraq Oasis Through
Development Empower and enable Share & communicate Designing a of Systemic all relevant information & Implementation Master Plan For the analysis tools stakeholders in knowledge acquired of pilot projects rehabilitation of AO participatory water at the national and resource planning and regional level management
Main Activities: Main Activities: Main Activities: Main Activities: Main Activities: •Capacity building • Documenting the •Raising awareness •Exploring the potential •Capacity building at all on management learning process •Developing the water use of system analysis levels cycle •Cross learning visits strategies at Oasis and tools •Enhance participation of •Implementing pilot •Regional workshops community levels • developing a system all relevant SH projects depending •Communication •Raising Awareness analysis tools “DSS” •Exchange visit at on the master plan Materials •Building capacity community, national and regional levels.
International Union for Conservation of Nature INTERVENTIONINTERVENTION
Strengthening Local Government: - To reach the stage of full decentralization the capacity building
Empowerment local level: - Empowering the local community to be able to participate in the decision making process concerning their water resources.
Through building their accountability
It will probably gives further insights in decision-making and concerted actions processes, while deepening understanding on attitudes and believes of related Stakeholders
International Union for Conservation of Nature FINALLY TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY DEVELOPMENT
Sustainability is a central premise if capacity building is understood as being more than simply training, but rather a process of allowing people to have influence over decisions and resources that affect their livelihoods in the long term.
International Union for Conservation of Nature THANKTHANK YOUYOU
International Union for Conservation of Nature