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The MEDFORVAL project Secretariat visited the Sharhabil Bin Hassneh EcoPark (Jordan) MEDFORVAL site and met with EcoPeace Middle East staff and partners in January 2017.
Sharhabil Bin Hassneh EcoPark
The work of EcoPeace Middle east (NGO with the aim to look after the shared water and environment heritage) around Sharhabil Bin Hassneh (SHE) started in 2004, as a recreational area for local populations, with 100 dunum (about 10 ha) of land under Ziglab dam wall. At that time, the land was barren, due to overgrazing from goats and sheep.
The first action conducted was to fence off the area; immediately and surprisingly, vegetation (flowers, mushrooms) began to return to the area. A partnership was thus established with Japan to conduct research on the local flora and fauna, and this, in turn, led to the birth of the Ecopark.
Today, the park covers 270 ha in total, and is entirely fenced. The land is owned by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Jordan river authority, and is managed by EcoPeace Middle East (see after). Three climate types are found in the park: Mediterranean, Irano-turanian, tropical (below sea level and near the waterbeds).
The park continues to be oriented towards recreation, with the addition of ecotourism activities: picnic areas, construction of eco-lodges, zipline, and creation of trails.
In terms of ecological work, two main activities are conducted for the rehabilitation of the area. First, on the location of a temporary wetland, work was done to catch used water from sanitation (ecotourism water), thus expanding the length of time with water in the wetland.
Secondly, trees were planted by the Ministry of agriculture, with the drawback of foreign species (fast growth speed) being chosen over endemic ones (lower growth speed). EcoPeace Middle East is now working closely with the Ministry agent, to promote native species in future plantations.
Three groups of plants are foreseen, to fit the three climate types found in the park:
- Pistachus atlantica, Pistachus palestina, Quercus ithaburensis
- Silica alba, Ziziphus spina-christi, Ceratonia siliqua
- Populus euphratica
The park staff (namely Abed Sultan) is keen on working with neighbouring MEDFORVAL site Shouf (Lebanon), with a view to start work towards the creation of ecological corridors in the area.
During the journey in Jordan, MEDFORVAL secretariat visited as well:
- EcoPeace Middle east office and staff
- The Royal Botanic Garden – RBG
- The Agriculture Ministry – Forestry department
- Yarmouk reserve
You will find more information on this visit in the minutes downloadable here: MEDFORVAL sites’ visits – Sharhabil Bin Hassneh EcoPark
And on SHE EcoPark on the website: jordanecopark.com
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En janvier 2017, le secrétariat du projet MEDFORVAL a visité le site MEDFORVAL de Sharhabil Bin Hassneh EcoPark (Jordanie) et a rencontré le personnel et les partenaires d'EcoPeace Middle East.
L'EcoPark de Sharhabil Bin Hassneh
- Pistachus atlantica, Pistachus palestina, Quercus ithaburensis
- Silica alba, Ziziphus spina-christi, Ceratonia siliqua
- Populus euphratica
- Les bureau d'EcoPeace Middle East et son personnel
- Le jardin botnique royal - RBG
- Le ministère de l'Agriculture - Service forestier
- La réserve de Yarmouk