Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
History
Dana village itself dates from the Ottoman period but was abandoned less than a genera-
tion ago as locals moved to nearby Qadsiyya in search of jobs. Farmed by only a handful
of remaining residents, the neighbouring terraces, which once grew pistachio, almond,
walnut, pomegranate, lemon and apple crops, are slowly slipping back to nature. Ongoing
attempts by various parties to entice the villagers back into the reserve are hampered by
the fact that housing with utilities, schooling and basic infrastructure is to be had in
nearby towns that are far more accessible. That said, there are signs of green shoots in the
village, thanks to the persistent efforts of the RSCN and the tourism it promotes. Several
old houses are being renovated and shopkeepers, barbers and bakers are being invited to
return.
About 50 Bedouin families drift in and beyond the lower reaches of the reserve. They
are only permitted to herd their livestock in the Dana Valley at certain times of the year to
allow the vegetation to recover.
The RSCN assumed control of the reserve in 1993 in an attempt to promote ecotourism,
protect wildlife and improve the lives of local villagers in an integrated project. The re-
serve directly or indirectly employs locals from nearby villages, and income from tourism
is helping to sustain a number of families beyond the reserve and provide environmental
education in local schools. Villagers also make quality local crafts (organic herbs, fruit
rolls, jams, olive-oil soaps, candles and silver jewellery) that are sold by the RSCN
throughout Jordan. The leather goods and candles produced by local Bedouin women at
Feynan Ecolodge, in particular, give local women a degree of economic independence and
an incentive to move away from goat rearing, which is detrimental to the fragile environ-
ment.
Dana is unique because it has four ecosystems ranging from altitudes of 1700m to
minus 50m, all of which occur within a very compact distance. For this reason Dana has
now achieved official 'biodiversity reserve' status.
ANCIENT DANA
There's something rather magical about coming across a pile of smelted fragments and realising that this is evidence
of industry, not from any industrial revolution, but from the activities of communities 6000 years ago.
