Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Green Info on
Jordan
»
»
Friends of the Earth
Middle East
(
www.foeme.org
)
Covers main
environmental challenges.
»
»
Ministry of Environment
(
www.environment.gov.jo
)
En-
vironmental overviews, organ-
isations and regional reports.
TEN TOP ECO-EXPERIENCES
»
» Hike to see Ajloun's soapmakers at work (
Click here
)
»
» Savour a wild-berry smoothie in Amman's Wild Jordan Centre (
Click here
)
»
» Learn about Azraq's Chechens over a home-cooked feast at Azraq Lodge (
Click here
)
»
» Buy a hand-loomed rug from the Bani Hamida workshop (
Click here
)
»
» Wake up to birdsong at beautiful Rummana campground (
Click here
)
»
» Enjoy a vegetarian supper in candlelit Feynan Ecolodge (
Click here
)
»
» Give your sunglasses an embroidered treat from Dana craft shop (
Click here
)
»
» Splash through the permanent pools of Wadi Mujib (
Click here
)
»
» Take a camel trip in the company of a Bedouin guide (
Click here
)
»
» Stay overnight with the Bedouin at a camp in Wadi Rum (
Click here
)
Overgrazing & Desertification
Survey Moses' promised land from Mt Nebo and you'll find little left of promise in the
semi-arid landscape - that's if you can see it through the haze of dust kicked up by live-
stock. This once fertile land has been devastated by centuries of overgrazing and this, to-
gether with erosion and drought, has led to widespread desertification (the seemingly un-
stoppable spread of the desert to previously fertile, inhabited and environmentally sensit-
ive areas). According to the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN), mil-
lions of hectares of fertile land have become infertile and uninhabitable. This means there
are now fewer pastures for livestock and crops, and reduced land for native animals and
plants. Jordan is home to about three million sheep and goats, but there is no longer
enough pasture to feed them, resulting in their encroachment on nature reserves and urban
fringes.
