JORDAN

Region:	Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East
Country:	Jordan
Title:	Making it Pay: Can Community-Based Biodiversity Conservation Programs be Sustained Through Market Driven Income Generation Schemes?
Other Info:	(i) Original language: English; (ii) Partners: World Bank, Global Environment Facility (GEF)

Abstract: This case study is about the first attempt made in Jordan to sustain biodiversity conservation in protected areas through the development of community-based market driven income-generation and tourism programs. The project was implemented by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) at the Dana Wildlands Nature Reserve in southern Jordan, with financial support from GEF. The project involved institutional capacity building at two levels: at the site level with development of income generation activities for local people linked to the presence of the protected area; and at the organizational levels with restructuring of the RSCN to provide technical and financial capacity for program management. The innovative aspect of the Dana program is its emphasis on income generation as a principal institutional tool for developing a more positive and productive relationship. An important lesson from this project is that besides just involving communities in decision-making, it is also necessary to provide them with some tangible benefits (like employment), and with feasible alternatives to the practices being regulated (like goat-fattening schemes so as to reduce the number of goats and sheep). However, such bargains need to be based on a strong understanding of the local people and their dependence on the protected area. This should, in turn, be backed by the catalysts’ ability to respond to such needs and at the same time ensure enforcement of the agreements reached at.

Themes (prioritized): 2, 3

Subsistence Practices (prioritized): Agriculture, Pastoralism, Gathering

Resource Types & Ecosystems (prioritized): Domesticated animals, Land

Key Terms: Biodiversity, Conservation, Income generation, Marketing, Parks/Reserves, Private sector, Tourism

Contact Person: Mr. Khaled Anis Irani, Director General

Contact Address: Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature, Amman, Jordan

Telephone: + (962 6) 535 9089

Fax: + (962 6) 534 7411

Email: irani@nets.com.jo VIEW JORDAN CASE STUDY

Last Updated: June 28, 2002