Azraq Oasis Restoration Project in Jordan

1. International Union for Conservation of Nature AZRAQ OASIS RESTORATION JORDAN 2008 - 2010

2. Project Setting The “Azraq Oasis Restoration” Project, is one of the demonstration projects within the REWARD Programme initiated by the DGCS/ WESCANA Project and supported by the IUCN Water and Nature Initiative (WANI), funded by DGIS/ The Netherlands. Up-scaling of methodologies and insights, are realized through the sub-networks on different water resource systems of REWARD’s Regional Water Knowledge Network.

3. International Union for Conservation of Nature AZRAQ BASIN • 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.

4. Azraq Basin consists of three aquifer systems The upper shallow fresh water basalt aquifer currently under the threat of salinization due to overexploitation. The middle limestone brackish water aquifer (600 to 15,000 mg/l) aged more than 30,000 years The deep sandstone aquifer which has low yields and poor quality water. International Union for Conservation of Nature

5. AZRAQ OASIS • 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

6. The Main challenging Water Use A= B+C+D (sustainable use) B+C+D>A (actual use) Potential: B+C=A if C < 25% for Amman/Zarqa International Union for Conservation of Nature Ais the Aquifer Flow Bis the wetland Cis for Agriculture use Dis for Domestic use

7. WHAT ABOUT the LOCAL COMMUNITY in AZRAQ • Exponential loss of cultural and natural heritage and values • Very little benefits • Loss of belonging • Weak influence and possible conflicts of interest International Union for Conservation of Nature Results, poor trust and irrational expectations

8. Hydrological Problem • 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

9. KEY CHALLENGES FACING THE BASIN • 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

10. SO IT’S TIME TO ACT!!! International Union for Conservation of Nature

11. TIME FOR!!!!!! INTEGRATED WATER RESOURSE MANAGEMENT International Union for Conservation of Nature

12. International Union for Conservation of Nature AWO PROJECT PARTNERS PROJECT DONORS

13. Project Stakeholders Ministry of Agriculture. Ministry of Interior/ Azraq District. Azraq Municipality. Department of Land and Survey. End Users: Azraq CBOs and Farmers, Local Community.

14. International Union for Conservation of Nature PROJECT GOAL A substantial part of the Oasis/Ramsar site restored, while balancing water uses, maintaining ecosystem services and addressing long term access and rights to water by underprivileged groups in the targeted communities.

15. PROJECT COMPONENTS 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 of Systemic analysis tools • Empower and enable all relevant stakeholders in participatory water resource planning and management • Share & communicate information & knowledge acquired at the national and regional level • Designing a Master Plan For the rehabilitation of AO • Implementation of pilot projects • Main Activities: • Capacity building on management cycle • Implementing pilot projects depending on the master plan • Main Activities: • Documenting the learning process • Cross learning visits • Regional workshops • Communication Materials • Main Activities: • Raising awareness • Developing the water strategies at Oasis and community levels • Raising Awareness • Building capacity • Main Activities: • Exploring the potential use of system analysis tools • developing a system analysis tools “DSS” • Main Activities: • Capacity building at all levels • Enhance participation of all relevant SH • Exchange visit at community, national and regional levels. International Union for Conservation of Nature

16. INTERVENTION • 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. International Union for Conservation of Nature 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

17. International Union for Conservation of Nature PROJECT PROGRESS SO FAR To ensure the sustainability of the Project and enhance participatory interaction, a cooperation agreements were signed with Arab Women Organization for Community Empowerment And Badia Development and Research Center to develop a friendly DST for Azraq Oasis

18. International Union for Conservation of Nature PROJECT PROGRESS SO FAR • Establish local water resource management committee representing all Azraq community and local governments at district level. • Several meetings were conducted with the committee same as with steering committee in order to • Establish communication channels among all stakeholders • Reduce any obstacles and carry out advocacy actions. • Enhance vertical and horizontal information flow among them. • Acquire the sense of ownership of the project. • Identify their role, responsibilities and rights.

19. International Union for Conservation of Nature PROJECT PROGRESS SO FAR • More consolidation for in depth data collection of social and water related information accountability analysis, to enhance the stakeholders involvement and updates data on Azraq field. • Agreed on local strategy for the local community based on Scenario Building Approach.

20. International Union for Conservation of Nature UP COMING PLAN • Formal training sessions and • hands-on learning by doing. • Conduct awareness campaign for stakeholders at the local level. • Implement pilots to test technical interventions based on stakeholders' priorities. • Conceptual design for a DST model, based on the need of stakeholders for Oasis Restoration plan.

21. FINAL REMARK 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 on the long term. International Union for Conservation of Nature

22. THANK YOU International Union for Conservation of Nature