HASHEMITE KINGDOM OF JORDAN JORDAN BADIA ECOSYSTEM … · May 2012 ندرلأ19381 ةعقبلا...

1

HASHEMITE KINGDOM OF JORDAN

JORDAN BADIA ECOSYSTEM AND LIVELIHOODS PROJECT

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

Final Report

May 2012

هاتف : 4725071 6 (962+)– :فاآس 64726099 (962+)- :ب . ص (639)– البقعة 19381ألردنTel. (+962) 6 4725071 Fax. (+962) 6 4726099 – P.O.Box 639‐ Baqa' 19381 Jordan

E‐mail: [email protected] – website: www.ncare.gov.jo

Pub

lic D

iscl

osur

e A

utho

rized

Pub

lic D

iscl

osur

e A

utho

rized

Pub

lic D

iscl

osur

e A

utho

rized

Pub

lic D

iscl

osur

e A

utho

rized

Pub

lic D

iscl

osur

e A

utho

rized

Pub

lic D

iscl

osur

e A

utho

rized

Pub

lic D

iscl

osur

e A

utho

rized

Pub

lic D

iscl

osur

e A

utho

rized

wb406484

Typewritten Text

E3030 v1

wb406484

Typewritten Text

wb406484

Typewritten Text

2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACRONYMS ............................................................................................................................................................. 4

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..................................................................................................................................... 6

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................... 6

Project Objective and Components ................................................................................................................. 6

Project Implementation Arrangements ........................................................................................................ 12

Project Beneficiaries ......................................................................................................................................... 13

World Bank Safeguard Policies ...................................................................................................................... 13

ESIA Objectives .................................................................................................................................................. 16

Potential Environmental and Social Impacts and Mitigation Measures .............................................. 17

ESMP .................................................................................................................................................................... 20

Monitoring and Evaluation of ESMP Implementation ............................................................................. 28

Capacity Required to Implement the ESMP ............................................................................................... 28

Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................................ 28

BACKGROUND ..................................................................................................................................................... 30

PROJECT DESCRIPTION ................................................................................................................................. 32

Objective ............................................................................................................................................................... 32

Location and Description ................................................................................................................................. 32

Implementation Arrangements ....................................................................................................................... 39

Project Beneficiaries ......................................................................................................................................... 40

PRINCIPLES AND OBJECTIVES OF THE ESIA ...................................................................................... 41

Scope of the ESIA ............................................................................................................................................... 41

Objectives of the ESIA ...................................................................................................................................... 41

Methodology and Approach ............................................................................................................................ 42

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK ................................................................. 43

World Bank Safeguards Policies .................................................................................................................... 43

3

Jordan’s Legal Framework ............................................................................................................................. 45

International and Regional Environmental Legislation ........................................................................... 48

ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT .................................................... 49

PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL BASELINE DATA ............................................................................................. 50

Environmental .................................................................................................................................................... 50

Socio-economic .................................................................................................................................................... 53

POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES 62

GENDER ISSUES .................................................................................................................................................. 66

Background.......................................................................................................................................................... 66

Gender Analysis .................................................................................................................................................. 66

Gender at the Household Level ....................................................................................................................... 67

Opportunities for Women Empowerment ................................................................................................... 67

Training Programs for Women ...................................................................................................................... 68

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN………………………………………………………..69

CONSULTATION REPORT .............................................................................................................................. 77

Objectives ............................................................................................................................................................. 77

Consultations ....................................................................................................................................................... 77

People Met ............................................................................................................................................................ 78

Summary of Main Findings ............................................................................................................................ 79

4

ACRONYMS

ASL Above Sea Level

BELP Badia Ecosystem and Livelihoods Project

DOS Department of Statistics

EA Environmental Assessment

EIA Environmental Impact Assessment

ESIA Environmental and Social Impact Assessment

ESMP Environmental and Social Management Plan

ETDP Ecotourism Development Plan

GEF Global Environment Facility

GNI Gross National Income

GOJ Government of Jordan

HFDJB Hashemite Fund for the Development of the Jordan Badia

M&E Monitoring and Evaluation

MENA DELP Middle East and North Africa Desert Ecosystems and Livelihoods

program

MOA Ministry of Agriculture

MOE Ministry of Environment

MOPIC Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation

MOTA Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

MOWI Ministry of Water and Irrigation

NCARE National Center for Agricultural Research and Extension

NGO Non Governmental Organization

OHS Occupational Health and Safety

OP Operational Policy

PA Protected Area

PAD Project Appraisal Document

PDO Project Development Objective

PMU Project Management Unit

RF Results Framework

5

RSCN Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature

SC Steering Committee

TWG Technical Working Group

WB World Bank

6

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Introduction

The Badia Ecosystem and Livelihoods Project (BELP) is one of five projects under the Middle

East and North Africa Desert Ecosystems and Livelihoods Program (MENA-DELP), a new

Global Environment Facility (GEF) and World Bank (WB) partnership. The MENA-DELP was

approved by the GEF in November 2011, and it includes four national country pilot projects

(Algeria, Egypt, Jordan and Morocco), and a regional knowledge sharing project. The MENA-

DELP framework seeks to maintain and improve the flow of desert ecosystem services for

sustainable development in a positive feedback loop. The program will focus on piloting

enabling economic opportunities specific to deserts that integrate the health and diversity of the

desert biome with the vast potential for innovative livelihood opportunities that also sustain

valuable repository knowledge linked to adaptive practices. It is intended that such an approach

will ultimately enhance desert livelihood opportunities and increase the resilience and adaptation

responses of desert communities and ecosystems to projected pressures, in particular climate

change impacts. The focus of MENA-DELP is on different production sectors and on improving

the sustainability of investments through an integrated ecosystem management approach.

Emphasis is also placed on participatory approaches, capacity building and on harnessing local

knowledge. The regional umbrella project aims to enhance knowledge and experience sharing on

opportunities for enhancing desert livelihoods among the four participating pilot countries.

Following an analysis of the proposed investments under the BELP, the it has been determined

that the WB Safeguard Policies on Environmental Assessment (OP 4.01), Physical Cultural

Resources (OP 4.04), and Natural Habitats (OP 4.11) would be triggered by the project. Given

the largely positive project environmental and social impacts anticipated and expected minor and

temporary environmental impacts, the project has been confirmed as environmental category B

project, necessitating the preparation of an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment

(ESIA), including an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP). The Government of

Jordan (GOJ) has therefore contracted the services of an independent third-party consultant,

according to Terms of Reference approved by the WB. The ESIA includes an assessment of

potential impacts of the proposed project, the likely significance of such impacts and

recommended mitigation measures.

Project Objective and Components

The BELP‘s Development Objective (PDO) is to support sustainable livelihoods and enhance

ecosystem services through participatory approaches in selected areas of the Jordan Badia. The

PDO will be measured throughout project implementation using the following key indicators:

(i) Amount of new ecotourism-related income to communities along the Al Azraq/Shaumari-

Burqu‘ corridor; and

(ii) Hectares of rangelands managed by communities in a sustainable biodiversity-friendly manner in

Al Jafr and Al-Husseinieh.

The project will focus on three poverty pockets in the southern and northern Badia. In the south,

Al Jafr and Al Husseinieh, sub-districts within the Ma‗an Governorate, will be targeted; while in

the north, ecotourism activities will be implemented along a corridor which will begin in Al

7

Azraq (south east of Amman, Zarqa Governorate) and will end in the Burqu‗ Protected Area

(PA) in the east (Mafraq Governorate), targeting the Ar Ruwaished communities. The itinerary

along the corridor and exact locations will be determined during the first year of implementation

as part of the design and piloting of the corridor. The BELP will comprise three components as

follows:

Component 1: Community-Centered Ecotourism in the Northern Badia: The project will

expand ecotourism into the northeast Badia by using the Royal Society for the Conservation of

Nature (RSCN)-managed Al Azraq and Shaumari reserves and attached facilities as a starting

point, from which a 250 km ecotourism corridor will be developed ending in the Burqu‘

Protected Area (PA). The corridor will be developed around a concept of ―low volume, high

value‖ community-centered ecotourism and provide income opportunities to the Ar Ruwaished

and nearby communities, who will also receive targeted information and training to foster their

understanding of the project and their engagement in it; the design of the corridor will also

include a revenue sharing mechanism with communities. The component will be executed by

RSCN which will be contracted by NCARE, and will support the following two sub-

components:

Sub-component 1.1: Establishment of an Al Azraq/Shaumari-Burqu‘ ecotourism corridor:

This sub-component will begin with the development of an Ecotourism Development Plan

(ETDP) laying out the vision of the corridor, exact siting, intervention points, services and

products to be developed. The ETDP will be submitted by the project to the Steering Committee

and the World Bank for endorsement and approval, respectively. Once the ETDP is endorsed an

approved, this sub-component will provide necessary visitor management infrastructure and

human resources in identified locations along the corridor, and enable the proper management of

the increase in the number of visitors in these areas. Investments will begin in itineraries close to

the Al Azraq/Shaumari starting point, gradually extending toward the Burqu‗ end point. This

approach is expected to allow the testing of established sites and the build-up of interest amongst

Jordanian and international visitors. A strong marketing initiative for the corridor will be carried

out applying the business and marketing approaches developed under RSCN‗s Wild Jordan

division, using a variety of vehicles with the aim of reaching local and international markets, by

engaging with the Tourism Board, tourism operators, websites, social media and RSCN‗s

tourism network.

Sub-component 1.2: Community engagement: Sub-component 1.2 will ensure that communities

living in towns and villages close to Burqu‘ as well as some along the corridor are fully engaged

in, and directly benefit from, the ecotourism activities. This will involve consulting with, and

engaging these communities early in the planning and development of the proposed ecotourism

activities. Attention will be paid to increasing the awareness of the population about the fragility

of the local environmental resources, the need to support and finance protective measures, and

the benefits (financial and other) that can accrue to the community from well-formulated and

executed ecotourism activities. The roles communities could play in the supply chain for

ecotourists will be stressed, including new job creation opportunities such as reserve rangers,

guides, service provision, camp and ecolodge operation, etc. The provision of training

opportunities and the possibility for new income-generating activities (leather goods production,

camel tours, local herb and medicinal plant sales, basket weaving, indigenous performances, etc.)

8

associated with ecotourism will also be stressed. Experience from the Dana and Ajloun reserves

will help validate the potential opportunities for the communities through tours to Ar Ruwaished

community leaders, hosted by the Ajloun Ecotourism and Ranger Training Academy. The

project will continue through its lifespan to actively engage the communities in the ecotourism

activities and ensure that they directly benefit from them.

Component 2: Adapted Rangeland Management and Alternative Livelihoods Support in

the Southern Badia: This component will pilot more sustainable rangeland management models

for local communities by engaging them directly in the design and implementation of improved

and adapted management of the natural resources on which they depend. In tune with the first

component, investments will be geared at showing the validity of different alternative livelihood

options. This component will be implemented by the project Implementing Agency, the National

Center for Agriculture Research and Extension (NCARE), who will contract the Hashemite

Fund for the Development of the Jordan Badia (HFDJB) to execute the community engagement

and alternative livelihoods aspects. The component will support the following three sub-

components:

Sub-component 2.1: Water harvesting: Two modified hafirs, in terms of their shape and the

geological characteristics of the sites, will be constructed by the project, making water available

for 6-7 months. The hafirs’ water holding capacity will be between 50,000 and 100,000 m3.

While the exact sites of the hafirs will be based on hydrological, topographic and geological

investigations, the general interest area will be determined in collaboration with communities

which are expected to directly benefit from the hafirs, as well as those living in the surrounding

areas. A consultation-based design process will be coordinated by NCARE‘s watershed

specialists (technical and socio-economists) and operated by HFDJB (see sub-component 2.3),

which specializes in community participation and engagement in general, and has experience

engaging with communities and associations in the target localities in specific. Aspects of land

ownership and use rights will be considered carefully, and will be a focus of community

engagement efforts. Agreements will be reached with the communities on the management and

maintenance of the hafirs after the project is closed through a community engagement process, in

collaboration with NCARE and HFDJB.

Sub-component 2.2: Adapted rangeland management: This sub-component supports the

establishment and operation of two non-fenced rangeland reserves (total area of about 3000 ha)

in Al Jafr and Al Husseinieh (one in each) and the building of communities‘ capacity to assume

responsibility for the adapted management and maintenance of the reserves. The pilot rangeland

reserve areas will be on state-owned land with Government formally granting the pilot

communities increased management authority over the reserve areas. The communities will be

directly involved in the design of this pilot initiative from the outset, including in the

identification of the reserve sites, and in all decisions regarding the choice of plant species to be

replanted, water conservation and harvesting, and in the management and monitoring approaches

to be followed. The aim will be to not only transfer responsibility for site management to the

communities, but also the authority for rehabilitation and maintenance. Central to this effort will

be the acceptance of the communities that reserve areas will be closed initially to livestock

grazing for a two year period to allow for rehabilitation of plant cover. The collaboration

between NCARE and HFDJB is a key element of this approach; HFDJB will have the lead in all

9

community engagement aspects, and continue to support the communities through the life of the

project on these initiatives. The project will support 6 Community Youth Rangers who will be

recruited from the target communities. The rangers will be employed for a period of about three

years and their work will start at the beginning of the reserve improvement activities.

Rangeland management works will also include carrying out ‗water spreading‘ through contour

bunding type works to increase vegetation cover in selected areas outside the reserves. Areas for

water spreading will be selected with community consultation and agreement, with HFDJB‘s

assistance. The management practices of these ‗special areas‘ will be carefully verified,

discussed and agreed to with the communities. Reserves‘ (inside) contour bunding and water

spreading (outside, in the reserves‘ surrounding areas) works will be preceeded by all required

studies (topographic, hydrological and soils studies) and will be based on NCARE‘s standard

design and technologies. Management of the reserves will be the responsibility of the beneficiary

communities during the life of the project; it is expected that the communities, upon project

completion, will be capable of sustainably managing and utilizing the reserves. Responsibility

for monitoring of the reserves‘ biomass after project completion will rest with MOA.

Sub-component 2.3: Alternative livelihoods: This sub-component comprises two activities: one

involves deepening the understanding of the socio-economic circumstances and tribal affiliations

of the target communities, which will be important in understanding how best to engage them on

project activities and, particularly, in the alternative livelihoods activities; the second activity

provides a range of support for alternative livelihoods initiatives in the communities, with some

special focus on women and youth.

While the target communities have been extensively consulted during project preparation and

have provided input on project design, more detailed information on the communities will help

refine activities so they respond effectively to local interests and incentives. The activity will

refine information about the loci of poverty in the community, the circumstances of youth and

women, perceptions about land use and management, and interest in, and opportunities for,

alternative livelihoods. Activities will include focus group meetings, a rapid rural appraisal, and

a survey. HFDJB will be responsible for these activities. The findings will usefully inform the

implementation of all Component 2 project activities.

Community engagement, which is central to the success of all Component 2 project initiatives,

will be directly informed by the findings of the socio-economic assessment of the target

communities. The community engagement activities will: inform the target communities of the

proposed alternative livelihoods and small grants programs; clarify the objectives and expected

outcomes of these activities; inform communities of the conditions governing the programs;

identify and obtain as comprehensive a list as possible of cooperatives who will benefit from the

alternative livelihoods activities; and fully involve community members in the program so it has

their full support and buy-in. The Community Engagement activities will also provide an

opportunity to identify possible obstacles or potential opposition to the proposed activities and to

work out ways to address these proactively.

The second activity aims to support communities through established community cooperatives to

initiative new, or significantly improve existing, micro-business income-generating activities.

10

The objective is to encourage communities to engage in income-generating activities that will

ultimately improve their livelihoods and, over time, help reduce their reliance on natural

resources exploitation.

This activity will be implemented by HFDJB which will work closely with between 10 and 21

established local cooperatives, spread rather evenly across the two target communities. At least

one of the cooperatives will be a women‘s only cooperative, and it is required that women‘s

membership in the total number of participating cooperatives be at least 15 percent.

Additionally, one cooperative will focus specifically on providing livelihoods support for youth

(18-25 years of age) relating to the on-the-job training and short- and term employment

opportunities in the pilot reserves.

Funding for the alternative livelihoods activities will come from both GEF and HFDJB. GEF

funding will support capacity building, skills training, technical assistance (including

consultancies) and small equipment purchases for alternative livelihoods activities for a

minimum of 8 and a maximum of 11 local cooperatives. The precise number of cooperatives

included will ultimately be determined by the costs involved in supporting the cooperatives. The

alternatively livelihoods activities are expected to operate through the life of the project as

micro-businesses, with profits probably only beginning to be realized in the second year of their

operation. The cooperatives will likely choose to engage in traditional activities such as cheese

making, herb production, tailoring, traditional biscuit production, etc. GEF funding can, and

should, be used to support consultancies relating to the determination of markets, quality

standards, and packing requirements related to the cooperatives‘ proposed business ventures.

The HFDJB will be responsible for working with the communities and cooperatives on the

design and implementation of the GEF-supported alternative livelihoods activities. HFDJB

resources will be used to support a small grants program in up to 10 local community

cooperatives in the two target communities. The small grants will help the cooperatives enhance

or introduce new micro-business activities. It is possible that some of the cooperatives receiving

GEF support for alternative livelihoods activities will also receive small grants support from the

HFDJB. However, at least 25 percent of the GEF‘s alternative livelihoods support must be used

for cooperatives which are not receiving HFDJB‘s small grants support.

The cooperatives receiving support under the GEF‘s alternative livelihoods activities and/or from

the HFDJB‘s small grants program will be selected based on the following criteria:

i. they will have been in existence for at least one year;

ii. they will have shown, through a review undertaken by the HFDJB, the capacity to

manage investments and equipment in a sound and transparent way;

iii. they are in full compliance with Jordanian regulations governing the establishment and

operation of cooperatives;

iv. they represent only local residents living in the target communities;

v. they have an active membership of 10+ persons;

vi. they are not affiliated with a specific political party or religious entity;

vii. there is no history of controversy about their activities, practices, or membership within

their communities or more broadly;

11

viii. their proposed alternative livelihoods activities are considered by the HFDJB to have

potential to be economically viable and sustainable, being based on local skill and

knowledge capacities and technologies, readily available resources, and a clearly

identified and accessible market.

HFDJB will be responsible for ensuring that all cooperatives receiving support under the GEF‘s

alternative livelihoods support and HFDJB‘s small grant support meet the 8 criteria listed above.

It is not anticipated that the cooperatives will themselves receive and manage the financial

support for their planned alternative livelihoods activity. They will be advanced 25 percent of the

total financial support amount on signing of an Operational Agreement with the HFDJB, but

thereafter will provide original invoices and statements of expenditures to the HFDJB for

reimbursement. HFDJB will be responsible for procuring and delivering the needed capacity

building, training and, in some cases, small equipment needs, for the cooperatives consistent

with the specific micro-business they are pursuing. The alternative livelihoods activities may

either be new ventures or be initiatives to upgrade and improve the quality and marketability of

ongoing productive activities.

Prior to the cooperatives receiving alternative livelihoods or small grant support, the HFDJB will

ensure that each cooperative signs an Operational Agreement which clearly lays out the

objectives, manner of operation, membership and conditions under which the alternative

livelihoods and/or small grants support is being provided. Cooperatives receiving support under

the project‘s alternative livelihoods activities must ensure their activities do not involve any

activities included on the following Negative List:

i. the purchase or maintenance of live animals or birds;

ii. the construction or modification of buildings or infrastructure;

iii. the movement or resettlement of persons or families from their existing homes, whether

their settlement is legal or illegal;

iv. the removal or moving of cultural artifacts or structures;

v. the purchase of land;

vi. the purchase of vehicles;

vii. the use of groundwater from unlicensed wells or sources;

viii. the introduction of invasive alien species;

ix. the production, processing, or movement of illegal substances and items;

x. the killing, trade or trafficking of endangered animal species.

The HFDJB will be responsible for ensuring that the participating cooperatives meet and comply

with the Negative List through the life of the project.

Component 3: Project Management and Monitoring and Evaluation: A Project Management

Unit (PMU), comprising a project manager, M&E specialist and fiduciary staff, capable of

directing and supporting project implementation, will be established in NCARE. The PMU will

receive guidance from a high level Steering Committee (SC) and will be technically supported

by a Technical Working Group (TWG), comprising of focal points from the implementing

agency-NCARE, the two contractors-RSCN and HFDJB, and from the Ministry of Planning and

12

International Cooperation (MOPIC). The TWG will also ensure communication and

collaboration between the three entities.

Figure 1: Project Intervention Sub-Districts (Source: NCARE)

Project Implementation Arrangements

The project will be implemented by NCARE, a semi-autonomous (1993) leading center for

agricultural research and extension in Jordan under MOA. Project components will be executed

as follows:

a. Component 1 NCARE will contract RSCN (an independent non-profit Non

Governmental Organization (NGO) devoted to the conservation of Jordan's natural resources)

to execute the component.

b. Component 2 sub-component 2.1 (Water harvesting) and sub-component 2.2 (Adapted

rangeland management) will be implemented by NCARE through its Baqa‘a headquarters and

extension staff. Sub-component 2.3 (Alternative livelihoods ) will be executed by HFDJB

(contracted by NCARE), the institution mandated by Royal Decree (2006) to sustainably

develop the Jordan Badia.

c. Component 3 will be implemented by a PMU housed in NCARE.

13

Project institutional arrangements are as follows:

a. Project Management Unit: The PMU will comprise a full-time project manager, a part-

time M&E specialist, procurement and financial officers. The PMU will manage the activities

of all entities, prepare annual work plans and budgets, ensure collaboration between

stakeholders and conduct M&E.

b. Steering Committee: The PMU will be guided by a SC, chaired by the Secretary

General of MOPIC. The SC will provide strategic guidance and oversight for the project

(including on procurement, financial management, disbursement, M&E and reporting matters),

advise on corrective measures, provide conflict resolution, and be responsible for approving

annual work plans and associated budgets submitted by the PMU. The SC will include the

general directors-of NCARE, RSCN and HFDJB and the secretary generals of MOA, Ministry

of Environment (MOE), Ministry of Water and Irrigation (MOWI) and Ministry of Tourism

and Antiquities (MOTA). The SC will hold meetings every 6 months, or more frequently as

required.

c. Technical Working Group: The PMU will benefit from a TWG, chaired by the project

manager. Focal points from NCARE, RSCN and HFDJB as well as a representative from

MOPIC and MOA will form members of the TWG. The TWG will discuss technical issues,

enable information exchange between project activities, provide technical advice and guidance

on various aspects of project implementation, and may also make recommendations to be

discussed at the SC. It is crucial for project success that the PMU operate in a flexible,

transparent and collaborative manner with all concerned entities. To this end, the TWG will be

a key mechanism. The TWG will meet on a quarterly basis, or more often as required.

Project Beneficiaries

The beneficiaries of the project are communities in Ar Ruwaished (northern Badia), Al Jafr and

Al Husseinieh sub-districts (southern Badia). Individuals, cooperatives and community

organizations will benefit from learning about and implementing a more sustainable management

approach to the natural resources upon which their livelihoods are dependant; a variety of

income-generating activities related to ecotourism and local product development and

processing; and grant resources for micro business development, adapted rangeland

management, and hafirs (traditional name for animal watering reservoirs) for animal watering

and fodder production.

World Bank Safeguard Policies

The WB environmental and social policies (referred to as ‗safeguard policies‘) are used to

examine potential environmental risks and benefits associated with WB-funded operations. The

following table summarized the safeguard policies which the BELP triggers:

14

Table 1: World Bank Safeguard Policies and their Applicability to the Jordan BELP

Safeguard Policy Policy

triggered

(Yes/No)

Justification

OP 4.01: Environmental

Assessment

Yes The policy is triggered. The project is classified as

an environmental Category B requiring partial

assessment. Activities will largely result in positive

environmental impacts, and the minor, site-specific

impacts mainly from small-scale works can be

mitigated with integration of appropriate measures

and implementation of common sense good practice

measures.

OP 4.04: Natural Habitats Yes The policy is triggered. The policy will be covered

within the scope of OP 4.01. As per the project

design in the north Badia, the existing Shaumari

reserve and Azrak reserve and wetland managed by

RSCN will serve as starting point for the ecotourism

corridor, and the corridor will extend to the proposed

Burqu reserve in the east Badia—however, the

project will not invest in these reserves. With regards

to citing of ecotourism related activities along the

corridor (e.g. camel and hiking trails, campsites,

ecolodge, etc.), an Ecotourism Development Plan

(ETDP) will be developed during the first year of the

project by RSCN that will include a baseline

ecological study that will define areas for ecotourism

interventions taking into account environmental

considerations. The study will determine the

conservation value of the area and the relative

importance of different habitats or parts of the site

and individual species. It will also explore the

relative sensitivity/value of different ecotourism

areas in terms of nature conservation, landscape,

archaeology and cultural interests. Based on the

results of the study, in the event any ‗core

conservation or wilderness area‘ is identified

(ecologically valuable areas), the project will

exclude this area and include only those areas

suitable for tourism and as informed by the study. In

addition to the ETDP, RSCN will undertake an EMP

specific to the proposed 10-12 room ecolodge.

Communities living in Ar Ruwaished and other

smaller villages close to Burqu‘ as well as some

along the corridor are consulted with and engaged in

the planning and development of any ecotourism

activities. Attention will be paid to increasing the

15

awareness of the population about the potential

fragility of the local environmental resources, and

the project will continue through its lifespan to

actively engage with the communities.

OP 4.09: Pest

Management

No The policy is not triggered. The BELP will not

involve the purchase of pesticides.

OP 4.11: Physical Cultural

Resources

Yes The policy is triggered. However, project

interventions will affect any known archaeological

sites. For chance-finds, Jordan‘s national procedures

to be followed. General interest area for the location

of the hafirs will be determined in collaboration with

communities and also taking into account results

from a geological/hydrological/topographic study.

Project will not impact any know physical cultural

resources. OP 4.11 will be considered within the

scope of the ESMP implementation. Furthermore if

any chance finds are encountered during

implementation, the government‘s national

procedures will be applicable and the national

procedures for archaeological chance finds will be

followed during implementation. OP 4.11 will be

considered during the preparation of the ETDP and

EMP (under component 1).

OP 4.12: Involuntary

Resettlement

Yes The policy is triggered. Some potential for social

discontent over the project‘s activities around Badia

land use may arise. The borrower accordingly

prepared a Process Framework to guide the response

to any potential social or socio-economic impacts.

OP 4.20: Indigenous

People

No The policy is not triggered. No indigenous people

are present in project areas.

OP 4.36: Forestry No The policy is not triggered. No forest areas exist in

the project areas.

OP 4.37: Safety of Dams No The policy is not triggered. The BELP does not

involve construction of dams, and does not depend

on any dams for its activities.

OP 7.50: Projects on

International Waterways

No The policy is not triggered. The sites of Jordan

BELP do not intersect with any international

waterways.

OP 7.60: Projects in

Disputed Areas

No The policy is not triggered. The project will not be

implemented in disputed areas.

With regard to OP4.01, it is imperative that any WB-financed project does not have any

detrimental environmental or social impacts on the surrounding environment and populations.

Resulting from the nature of the proposed investments, the project has been confirmed by the

WB under its safeguards policies as Environmental Category B and the safeguard policy on

Environmental Assessment (OP 4.01) has been triggered. To this effect, the Government of

16

Jordan was requested to prepare an ESIA for the project, complemented by an ESMP. By

reviewing the environmental and social aspects of the project according to both Jordan‘s legal

framework and the WB Safeguard policies, the ESIA and ESMP identify measures to be taken

and describe the procedure to be implemented to ensure that potential minor project risks to the

environment are adequately assessed and managed.

The ESIA is complemented by a socioeconomic assessment and Process Framework which the

project will utilize to ensure that communities are not negatively affected by BELP activities in

line with WB policy on Involuntary Resettlement (OP 4.12). The World Bank safeguard policies

on Natural Habitats (OP 4.04) and Physical Cultural Resources (OP 4.11) will be triggered as a

result of project interventions. The objective of OP 4.11 is to avoid, or mitigate, adverse impacts

on cultural resources from development projects that the World Bank finances. Cultural property

encompasses both remains left by previous human inhabitants and unique natural environmental

features. World Bank Policy OP4.11 is triggered because project activities are located in the

vicinity of a physical cultural resources site such as Qasr Burqu‘ in the north Badia.

Additionally, the project involves excavations and movement of earth as in the construction of

ecolodge and hafirs, which implies that activities may come across chance finds, in which case

Jordan‘s national procedures for chance finds will be followed.

With regard to OP 4.04, BELP will not result in the conversion or degradation of natural

habitats. Moreover, the project will enhance natural habitats through promotion of ecotourism

and natural reserves in the north Badia, and rangeland rehabilitation, and establishment of water

harvesting structures in the south Badia. Furthermore, World Bank Policies OP4.04 and OP4.11

will need to be taken into account within the scope of implementation of the ESMP.

ESIA Objectives

The objectives of the ESIA are:

(a) To assess the potential environmental and social impacts of the project as a result of potential

interventions; (b) To compare the impacts in relation to relevant national and World Bank

requirements and guidelines; (c) To develop an ESMP (including screening criteria) for the

mitigation of any potentially negative impacts of the proposed interventions and for monitoring

compliance with the relevant laws and policies.

The ESMP aims to:

i. Ensure that the project complies with national legal requirements and environmental and

social WB procedures;

ii. Specify the criteria for environmental and social analysis of investments financed under

the BELP;

iii. Provide options to prevent, minimize or mitigate the risks and potential negative impacts

during project preparation and implementation or increase the positive impacts of

financed investments;

iv. Provide an assessment of training needs and capacity building for various stakeholders in

the project, including frequency and cost; and

17

v. Describe the procedures and responsibilities for monitoring the impacts of the

project,reporting to the World Bank and implementing the ESMP.

The assessment of the potential environmental and social impacts of the project activities under

its three components (particularly components 1 and 2) was conducted using the following

approach:

o Field visits were conducted to project sites in the targeted poverty pockets where

potential impacts on natural habitats (physical, biological, and social spheres) of project activities

were identified;

o Identification of all stakeholders and at all levels. The stakeholders included relevant

farmers‘ organizations, government officials, NGOs, target communities and potential

beneficiaries;

o Undertaking consultations with the identified stakeholders and recording of meetings

with stakeholders.;

o Identifying individuals and households whose socioeconomic status might be adversely

affected by project activities, and consulting with them about the expected impact of project

activities and the most appropriate mitigation measures and locations for implementation of on

the ground investments

Potential Environmental and Social Impacts and Mitigation Measures

The BELP potential adverse impact and mitigation measures are analyzed in table 2 as follows:

Table 2: Potential Project Impact and Mitigation Measures

Impact Mitigation Measures

Impacts on air quality and noise from the

construction of the ecolodge and of the

hafirs: mainly from excavation, drilling,

site clearance, vehicle loading and

unloading, and other construction-related

activities.

(i) Covering waste disposal trucks with tarpaulins

during transportation and limiting travel speed;

(ii) Ensuring that vehicles and machinery comply

with Jordanian emission standards; (iii)

Maintaining construction activity noise levels

below Jordanian standard; (iv) Respecting

Ambient Air Quality limits; (iii) Providing

personnel and workers operating on site with

hearing and breathing protection gear.

Impacts on air quality and noise from the

operation of the ecolodge: mainly from the

burning of fossil fuels for heating and

cooking, and the operation of vehicles,

such as trucks for water supply, solid waste

collection, and sewage water collection.

(i) Utilizing solar water heating and photovoltaics

for lighting (as appropriate); (ii) Using animals

for transportation to reducing dependency on

vehicles for service; (iii) Finding alternative water

sources or recycling options to reduce

dependency on water supply trucks; (iv) Adopting

composting and recycling practices to reduce the

reduced the need for waste collection vehicles.

Occupational Health and Safety risks from

the construction of the ecolodge and hafirs:

mainly eye and respiratory risks, physical

(i) Complying with Jordanian Rules and

Regulations on Occupational Health and Safety;

(ii) Providing protective gear for workers

18

injuries, and overexposure of workers to

sunlight, dust and noise.

including helmets, boots, gloves, masks, and

earplugs; (iii) Providing first aid kits at work sites

and necessary information and training on rescue

and emergency response procedures; (iv)

Prohibiting admission of children, guests, or

dependents of legal employees or underage

workers to construction site.

Occupational Health and Safety risks from

the operation of the ecolodge

(i) Providing fire extinguishers and first-aid kits

in the ecolodge and camp sites, as well as access

plan to emergency services; (ii) Developing an

operational manual for facilities management.

Impacts on soils from the construction of

the ecolodge: mainly the production of

loose soil and sand as a result of

excavation and site clearance, which could

be increase erosion.

(i) Using excavated soil as back filling or

removing it from site immediately after

excavation; (ii) Ensuring proper location and

covering by tarpaulin of excavated soil remaining

temporarily on site; (iii) Avoiding construction

during periods of anticipated rainfall to prevent

any soil erosion.

Impacts on soils from the operation of the

ecolodge: mainly soil compaction (and

reduced vegetation) from vehicles (water

trucks, sewage water collection trucks, and

solid waste collection trucks).

Using existing paths for transportation and

avoiding the creation of new routes that would

disrupt vegetation, wildlife and compact soils.

Production and disposal of solid wastes

generated by construction of ecolodge and

hafirs.

(i) Designating a suitable location for the safe

storage of construction waste onsite (void of

vegetation and natural habitats and outside

depressions and surface water drainage); (ii)

Covering onsite wastes with tarpaulin; (iii)

Carting wastes away by the contractor from the

onsite storage location to an outside location

identified by for filling purposes; (iv) preparing

and implementing a solid waste management

disposal plan for the site.

Production and disposal of solid wastes

generated by operation of the ecolodge and

the campsites.

(i) Identifying, sorting and storing wastes,

including designated spaces for paper, glass,

aluminum, steel and plastics and other

recyclables; (ii) Adopting a garbage prevention

strategy, including use of biodegradable products

and composting methods; (iii) Preparing and

implementing a solid waste management disposal

plan.

Production and disposal of sewage wastes

generated by construction and operation of

the ecolodge and the campsites.

(i) Using of composting toilets not flush toilets or

best relevant option; (ii) Using biological

treatment technologies for sewage waste and

wastewater that does not involve land disposal;

(iii) Using pit latrines during the construction

19

stage of the ecolodge and for the mobile camp

sites (located away from runoff areas,

depressions, or water sources); (iv) Using eco-

friendly portable WCs in the permanent campsites

as per RSCN‘s experience. RSCN will use good

practice measures building from its experience.

The transport of tourists along the corridor

and in the Burqu‘ nature reserve.

Designated trails within the reserves (for biking,

hiking and camel riding) will be indicated, with

monitoring by guides and rangers. In terms of

vehicle entrance into Burqu‘, only RSCN vehicles

would move tourists in/out and around the

reserve, along designated trails. This will be made

clear in the ETDP.

The hydrological functioning of

watersheds for the construction of the

hafirs: mainly impacts on impact

watershed drainage patterns, as well

sedimentation of the hafir itself.

A hydrological and geological survey will

identify different parameters like peak flow,

possible quantity and quality of raw water, soil

analysis to identify the type of soil of the

proposed hafir site, and types and locations of

other locally available construction materials, etc.

The risk of further overgrazing and

degradation of vegetation cover and of the

rangeland in general.

Rangeland reserves will include contour bunding

for water conservation, and will be replanted with

palatable and nutritious indigenous drought-

resistant species (e.g., atriplex sp. and g. Saxola)

over 25 percent of the reserve‘s area. The reserves

will be set-aside for a period of two years to allow

regeneration and growing.

Impact on Physical Cultural Resources (OP

4.11) and chance finds during the

construction of ecolodge, establishment of

trails, campsite, and construction of hafirs

(i) General interest area for the location of the

hafirs will be determined in collaboration with

communities and also taking into account results

from a geological/hydrological/topographic study,

(ii) If any chance finds are encountered during

implementation, the government‘s national

procedures will be applicable and the national


followed during implementation, and (iii) OP

4.11 will be considered during the preparation of

the ETDP and EMP (under component 1)

Impact on Natural Habitats (OP 4.04) as a

result of project activities: camel and

hiking trails, campsites, and ecolodge

(Component 1)

(i) OP 4.04 on Natural Habitats will be covered

under the scope of OP 4.01 on Environmental

Assessment, (ii) With regards to citing of

ecotourism related activities along the corridor

(e.g. camel and hiking trails, campsites, ecolodge,

etc.), an Ecotourism Development Plan (ETDP)

will be developed during the first year of the

project by RSCN that will include a baseline

ecological study that will define areas for

20

ecotourism interventions taking into account

environmental considerations. The study will

determine the conservation value of the area and

the relative importance of different habitats or

parts of the site and individual species. It will also

explore the relative sensitivity/value of different

ecotourism areas in terms of nature conservation,

landscape, archaeology and cultural interests.

Based on the results of the study, in the event any

‗core conservation or wilderness area‘ is

identified (ecologically valuable areas), the

project will exclude this area and include only

those areas suitable for tourism and as informed

by the study, (iii) RSCN to undertake an EMP

specific to the proposed 10-12 room ecolodge,

(iv) Communities living in Ar Ruwaished and

other smaller villages close to Burqu‘ as well as

some along the corridor will be consulted with

and engaged in the planning and development of

any ecotourism activities. Attention will be paid

to increasing the awareness of the population

about the potential fragility of the local

environmental resources, and the project will

continue through its lifespan to actively engage

with the communities.

ESMP

The ESMP was produced based on the findings of the ESIA. The ESMP includes potential

environmental and social impacts and recommends mitigation measures for all project

components. The ESMP aims to:

i. Ensure that the project complies with national legal requirements and environmental and

social World Bank procedures;

ii. Specify the criteria for environmental and social analysis of investments financed under

the BELP;

iii. Provide options to prevent, minimize or mitigate the risks and potential negative impacts



iv. Provide an assessment of training needs and capacity building for various stakeholders in

the project, including frequency and cost;

v. Describe the procedures and responsibilities for monitoring the impacts of the project,

reporting to the World Bank and implementing the ESMP.

21

Table 3. Environmental Management Plan

Mitigation

Aspects

Mitigation Measures Monitoring Indicators Monitoring

Methods

Responsibility for

Implementation

of Mitigation

Responsibility

for

Monitoring

Monitoring

Frequency

Al Azraq/Shaumari-Burqu‘ ecotourism corridor – Ecolodge

Preservation of

chance finds Construction Phase:

In the event of chance finds, national legislations pertaining to

chance find procedures will be followed

Discovery of chance finds

during construction activities

Field

observations

Contractor during

ecolodge

construction

RSCN Ongoing

Conservation of

archaeological

and cultural

resources

Construction Phase:

OP 4.11 will be considered during the preparation of the ETDP and

EMP

Framework of ETDP

Routine inspections

Feedback from local residents

and tourists

Field

observations

PMU RSCN Ongoing

Preservation of

natural habitats Construction Phase:

An Ecotourism Development Plan (ETDP) will be developed during

the first year of the project by RSCN for ecotourism related activities

along the corridor that will include a baseline ecological study that

will define areas for ecotourism interventions taking into account

environmental considerations. Study to determine the conservation

value of the area and the relative importance of different habitats or

parts of the site and individual species. It will also explore the

relative sensitivity/value of different ecotourism areas in terms of

nature conservation, landscape, archaeology and cultural interests.

Based on the results of the study, in the event any ‗core conservation

or wilderness area‘ is identified (ecologically valuable areas), the

project to exclude this area and include only those areas suitable for

tourism and as informed by the study.

Operational Phase:

Set guidelines and regulations for the preservation of natural habitats

Framework of ETDP

Routine inspections


and tourists

Field

observations

PMU RSCN Ongoing

Reduce

emissions, dust,

and suppression

of noise

Construction Phase:

Covering waste disposal trucks with tarpaulins

Ensuring that vehicles and machinery should comply with emission

standards.

Construction activity noise levels will be maintained below limits.

Personnel and workers operating on site will be equipped with


Operation Phase:

Dependency on non-renewable energy sources will be reduced by

adopting solar water heating and photovoltaics for lighting, as

relevant.

Dependency on vehicles for service will be reduced by possibly

depending on animals for transportation of waste, and also by finding

readily available water source instead of truck supply.

Adopting composting practices to reduce the amount of solid waste

Complaints from local

community and occupants

Dust clouds within

construction site and

road/path leading to it.

Dust deposition on vegetation

and rocks

Loud noise can be heard from

a distance

Ground vibration due to

machinery and vehicles

Change in natural habitats

within ecolodge surroundings

Monitoring

devices to ensure

compliance of

noise and

emissions

Field

observations

Interaction with

local community:

use indigenous

knowledge to

understand

impact on

wildlife

Contractor during

ecolodge

construction

PMU during

operation phase

RSCN Ongoing

22

produced and reduce the need for waste collection vehicles.

Occupational

Health and

Safety

Construction Phase:

Compliance with General rules and regulations on Occupational

Health and Safety.

Provision of protective gear for workers including helmets, boots,

gloves, masks, and earplugs.

Provision of first aid kit at work sites and necessary information on

rescue during emergency.

Prohibiting admission of children, guests, or dependents of legal

employees or underage workers to construction site.

Provision of appropriate training and emergency response

procedures.

Operation Phase:

Provision of fire extinguishers and first-aid kits in the ecolodge and

camp sites.

An operational manual will also be developed for the building

facilities management.

Complaints from laborers,

occupants, and local

community

Number of incidents/accidents

Adoption level of OHS

Construction site

inspection

Review of

incidents records

Contractor during

ecolodge

construction

PMU during

operation phase

RSCN Ongoing

Solid Waste

Management Construction Phase:

Construction waste will be stored and disposed of in an

environmentally safe manner.

A suitable location will be designated for the safe storage of

construction waste onsite. The designated location should be void of

vegetation, natural habitats, and distant from depressions or surface

drainage.

Onsite waste shall be covered with tarpaulin to prevent dust clouds

from forming.

Waste will be carted away from the onsite storage location to a

location identified by for filling purposes.

Solid waste from the labor camp will be stored in bins and collected

as part of the local community‘s solid waste management disposal

plan.

Operation Phase:

Wastes produced should be properly identified and adequate sorting

and storage space should be provided.

Spaces should be designated for on-site separation for paper, glass,

aluminum, steel and plastics.

Processes of waste collection and transportation offsite should be

well designed.

Adopting a garbage prevention strategy: everything brought into the

facility should be recycled for reuse or recycled back into the

environment through biodegradation.

Final disposal of waste through landfills (as relevant) should be

conducted in an environmentally safe manner. Landfill should be



Construction site

inspection

Contractor during

ecolodge

construction

PMU during

operation phase

RSCN Weekly

during

construction

phase

23

remote from population and properly designed in accordance with

global and national specifications.

Organic waste should be composted as part of the recycling strategy,

as relevant.

Sewage Waste

Management Operation Phase: (RSCN to adopt best practice from prior

experience)

Adopting composting strategy of solid sewage waste and use

compost for greenery

Use of composting toilets not flush toilets.

Recommended use of biological treatment technologies of sewage

waste that does not involve land disposal.

Recommended use of biological systems to purify wastewater.

Recommended use of pit latrines during the construction stage of the

ecolodge and in the remote camping areas. Pit latrines should not be

located in runoff areas, in depression, or near water resources.

Construction specifications

and infrastructure design

Review of tender

and contractor bid

documents

Ecolodge site

inspection

PMU RSCN Annually

Soil protection

and prevention

of compaction

Construction Phase:

Soil removed through excavation should be used as back filling or

immediately removed from the project.

Any excavated soil remaining temporarily on site should be placed in

proper location (void of vegetation, habitats, and distant from

waterways) and covered using tarpaulin.

Construction should be avoided during periods of anticipated rainfall

to prevent any soil erosion.

Occupational health measures should be taken and personnel should

be equipped with breathing masks and other protective measures.

Operation Phase:

Use of existing paths for transportation and avoiding the creation of

new routes that would disrupt vegetation, wildlife and compact soils.

Limit the use of vehicles in the region to reduce soil compaction and

ecosystem disruption.

Set limits to where vehicles may reach.

Reduce dependency on vehicles for services

Indication of rill or inter-rill

erosion

Soil compaction during

construction or operation

Disruption of vegetation and

wildlife

Field

observations

Complaints from

local community

Contractor during

ecolodge

construction

PMU during

operation phase

PMU Weekly

during

construction

phase and

periodically

during project

operation

Al Azraq/Shaumari-Burqu‘ ecotourism corridor – Campsites/trails

Preservation of

chance finds In the event of chance finds, national legislations pertaining to



during ecotourism activities

Field

observations

PMU RSCN Ongoing

Conservation of

archaeological

and cultural

resources


EMP

Routine inspections


and tourists

Field

observations

PMU RSCN Ongoing

Preservation of




Framework of ETDP

Routine inspections


Field

observations

PMU RSCN Ongoing

24












Operational Phase:


and tourists

Sanitary

facilities

management

Dry toilet pits emptied as required or filled with inert local material

when full and allowed to decompose

Periodic inspections made for leakages.

Complaints from tourists

Field inspection

Field

observations

PMU RSCN Ongoing

Waste

management

Collection of solid waste onsite

Constant removal of waste from campsite


Field inspection

Field

observations

PMU RSCN Ongoing as

required

Reduce local

water

consumption

Use of water conservation devices

Promote water conservation among tourists

Develop management ethos to conserve water


community

Inspections

Monitoring of

water

consumption

PMU RSCN Ongoing as

required

Reduce impact

of bike/camel

trails

Bike, camel, foot, or vehicle traffic will be carefully controlled with

user limits defined and enforced for each category and route


community and tourists

Field

observations

PMU RSCN Ongoing

Water harvesting structures – Hafirs

Preservation of





during construction of hafirs

Field

observations

Contractor during

hafir construction

PMU Ongoing

Conservation of

archaeological

and cultural

resources

General interest area for the location of the hafirs will be determined

in collaboration with communities and also taking into account

results from a geological/hydrological/topographic study.

Field observations Field

observations

NCARE and

HFDJB

PMU Ongoing

Preservation of




results from a geological/hydrological/topographic study

Operational Phase:


Routine inspections


and tourists

Field

observations

NCARE and

HFDJB

PMU Ongoing

Control

sedimentation

Periodical excavation Reduction in storage capacity Field

observations

NCARE PMU Annually or

as required

25

Reduce

consumption of

water

Promote awareness among local community on water conservation Reduction in storage capacity Field

observations

NCARE PMU Annually

Evaporation Implement water conservation measures

Promote awareness among local community on water conservation

Reduction in storage capacity Field

observations

NCARE PMU Annually

Reduce animal

disease incidents Monitoring of disease incidents in the area

Periodic inspection of livestock


community

Documenting of

disease

incidences

NCARE PMU Annually

Intermittent

damages are not

repaired or

rehabilitated on

time, weakening

the structural

system

Implementation of maintenance and repair measures

Allocate budget for maintenance and repair (MOA)

Periodic inspections and checkups on hafirs

Reduction in storage capacity


community

Field inspection

Feedback from

local community

NCARE/MOA PMU Annually or

as required

Preventing

pollution of

water structures

Identifying pollution sources

Implementation of pollution prevention measures

Promote awareness among local community on pollution prevention


community

Field inspection

Feedback from

local community

Contractor during

hafir construction PMU Annually

Groundwater

contamination Proper gravel pack and head work construction. Avoid siting sanitary

facilities close to hafirs Change of water quality

Observation of

groundwater

Contractor during

hafir construction PMU

Annually or

as required

Maintaining

water quality Eliminate sources impacting water quality Change of water quality

Observation of

groundwater

Contractor during


Annually

Reducing

impact from

livestock routes Identify and limit routes used by livestock for access to hafir Change in flora and fauna

Field

observations NCARE PMU

Monthly

Accidents Place caution signs to prevent accidents

Promote awareness among local community


community

Field

observations PMU PMU

Monthly

Soil erosion

Avoid slope areas exposed for erosion.

Drilling and other works should not be executed under aggressive

weather conditions (rains, strong winds)

Change of water quality

Field

observations Contractors NCARE Monthly

Crop-livestock

conflict Establish livestock routes to and from water points/haffir


community

Field


Rangeland Reserves

Unauthorized

access during

regeneration

period

Promote awareness among local community on importance of

rangeland preservation

Continuous inspections and visits to ensure no trespassing

Reduction in rangeland

vegetation


community

Field

observations

HFDJB and

NCARE PMU Ongoing

26

Overgrazing Promote awareness among local community on importance of


Continuous monitoring and inspection of rangeland reserves


vegetation


community

Field

observations

HFDJB and

NCARE PMU Ongoing

Prolonged

droughts Prohibit access to rangeland reserves to promote vegetation



vegetation


community

Field

observations

HFDJB, NCARE

and community PMU Annually

Table 4. Social Management Plan

Mitigation

Aspects


Methods

Responsibility for

Implementation

of Mitigation

Responsibility

for

Monitoring

Monitoring

Frequency

Al Azraq/Shaumari-Burqu‘ ecotourism corridor – CONSTRUCTION PHASE

Obtaining

community

approval over

ecolodge

location and

encouraging

community

participation

Increase awareness among community about the benefits of the

ecolodge

Discussions with the community about the importance of

contribution to activities of project

Take into consideration community opinion on their proposed

location of ecolodge


community concerning site

location

Meetings with

community

members and local

organizations

RSCN PMU Design phase

Water harvesting structures - CONSTRUCTION PHASE

Community

discontent over

hafir location

Hold discussions with local community members and local

organizations


location of hafirs



location

Meetings with

community

members and local

organizations

HFDJB and

NCARE

PMU Design phase

Rangeland Reserves - CONSTRUCTION PHASE

Community

discontent over

rangeland

locations


organizations


location of hafirs



location

Meetings with

community

members and local

organizations

HFDJB and

NCARE

PMU Design phase

Al Azraq/Shaumari-Burqu‘ ecotourism corridor – OPERATION PHASE

Involve

community

members in

project activities

of ecolodge,

campsites,trails


organizations explaining the benefits of participation

Obtain feedback and listen to suggestions offered

Poor community

involvement

Meetings with

community

members and local

organizations

RSCN PMU Monthly or as

relevant

Water harvesting structures – OPERATION PHASE

27

Conflict

resolution over

water

allocation/hafir

Involve local organizations and tribal leaders in decision making

concerning water allocation and usage

Complaints from

community members

Conflicts within community

Meetings with tribal

leaders, community

members and local

organizations

HFDJB PMU Annually

Community

involvement in

maintenance and

operation




Absence of community

contribution

Deterioration of structures

Field observations NCARE PMU Annually

Rangeland Reserves - OPERATION PHASE

Stopping

unauthorized

access during

regeneration

period


Holding meetings with community members on the importance of

preserving rangeland vegetation

Deterioration of rangeland

reserves

Inspection of

vegetation at

rangeland reserve

NCARE PMU Ongoing

Prevent

overgrazing Involve local organizations and tribal leaders in decision making




reserves

Inspection of

vegetation at

rangeland reserve

HFDJB,

NCARE and

community

PMU Ongoing

Conflict

resolution over

rangeland usage



reserves

Inspection of

vegetation at

rangeland reserve

HFDJB PMU Ongoing or as

required

Maintaining and enhancing livelihoods in pilot communities

Community

involvement

Increase awareness among community about the benefits of

participation



Presenting successful cases to the local community


involvement

Absence of

community

involvement

HFDJB PMU Ongoing

28

Monitoring and Evaluation of ESMP Implementation

The implementation of the environmental and social measures of the ESMP should be monitored

by the PMU since all environmental and social actions are linked to project components and to

their performance indicators. The M&E specialist within the PMU, who will be responsible for

monitoring overall progress and evaluating project performance, will also be in charge of

monitoring and evaluating safeguard compliance with the ESMP. The PMU will include a

section on safeguards compliance in each progress report which will be submitted to the SC and

the WB, with input from RSCN, NCARE and HFDJB. In addition, relevant consultants will be

hired by the PMU for ensuring compliance with safeguards, and for reporting on compliance, if

necessary.

Capacity Required to Implement the ESMP

NCARE, the BELP Implementing Agency, has strong technical capacity and previous

experience with implementing Bank/GEF projects, and thus will be able to ensure compliance

with safeguard policies. In addition, RSCN, the contractor to execute component 1 has prior

experience implementing Bank/GEF projects and hence is familiar with the requirements to

comply with safeguard policies. Additional training and capacity strengthening will be

undertaken during implementation as necessary by the project at both the PMU level (M&E

specialist on Bank safeguard policies and on the requirements for monitoring and reporting), and

by the implementing agency and contractors (NCARE, RSCN and HFDJB) and community level

(specifically in the areas of ecotourism development and rangeland management, chance-finds

procedures, etc.).

As mitigation measures are taken into account in the project design and costs, the ESMP does

not need a separate budget allocation. The costs are included in the activities of the project and

therefore any associated costs related to construction will be part of the works contract.

Consultation Summary

Stakeholder consultations was carried out during the preparation of the ESIA that supports the

conclusion that the BELP will result in positive environmental, social and economic needs of the

target beneficiaries and ecosystem. They were given the opportunity to express their views and

opinions regarding the potential impacts on the environment and how the project might affect

their livelihoods. Community members highly appreciated consulting them regarding this project

at this early stage. There was a clear consensus among the groups that project activities will not

have any significant negative impacts on the individuals or the household in their communities.

On the contrary, they believe the BELP components will positively affect the whole community.

The summary conclusion from the consultations was that very strong support was expressed by

the communities to the project, and they saw largely positive environmental and social impacts

from the project.

Conclusion

29

The project will be highly positive from an environmental standpoint if implemented as planned,

as the project is designed to provide economic, social and environmental benefits to communities

in the three selected poverty pockets of the Jordan Badia. Therefore, by its nature the BELP is

expected to result in positive impacts on the environment and living conditions of targeted

beneficiaries, in general. Any of the above-mentioned potential negative environmental impacts

are expected to be minor, temporary, and site-specific in nature and should be mitigated by

implementing the ESMP. The ESMP provided as part of the ESIA should be utilized and adapted

prior to implementation of any on-the-ground implementation of investments. Training and

capacity strengthening will be needed at the onset of project implementation for both the PMU,

the implementing entities (NCARE, RSCN and HFDJB) and the selected communities to ensure

compliance with the safeguard policies and high level of its implementation.

30

BACKGROUND

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is an upper middle-income country with a population of 6

million and a per-capita Gross National Income (GNI) of US$4,390. Jordan is located about 80

km east of the Mediterranean Sea that lies at a longitude of 33°22' E and a latitude of 29° 11' N,

with an area of approximately 88,878 km². The altitude ranges from -400 m at the surface of the

Dead Sea up to the 1750 m at Jebel Rum. The climate varies from semi-humid Mediterranean

conditions with rainfall over 500 mm annually to arid conditions with less than 100 mm

annually; this is over only a 100 km distance.

The area farther inland from the western highlands forms a considerable part of the country

known as ―Badia‖. Geographically, the area extends east of the western mountain series aligned

to the east of the Jordan Valley, and is located on elevations between 700 and 1,100 meters

above sea level. The Badia receives an annual rainfall of 50 to 200 mm and has general

characteristics of seasonal contrasts in temperature with high variations in rainfall within and

among years. The Jordan Badia comprises 80 percent of the country‘s territory; the southern and

northern Badia represent around 50 percent and 36 percent of the total Badia area respectively,

and they are the source of livelihood for about 240,000 people (Hashemite Fund for the

Development of the Jordan Badia and 2007 Census), including nomadic, semi-nomadic and

settled communities who largely depend on raising livestock for a living. Women represent 37

percent of the Badia population, while youth below 15 years of age compose 41 percent of the

Badia inhabitants (Department of Statistics (DOS)).

Both the northern and southern Badia are regarded as some of the most impoverished areas in

Jordan, containing several "poverty pockets" (11 in the northern Badia and 3 in the southern

Badia), as identified in the 2010 Poverty Report from the DOS. Poverty prevalence averages 45

percent in both the northern and southern Badia, with peaks at 73 percent in Ar Ruwayshed sub-

district (Mafraq governorate in the northern Badia) and 47 percent in Al Husseinieh sub-district

(Ma'an governorate in the southern Badia), respectively. Poverty pockets are defined as sub-

districts where the percentage of individuals below the absolute poverty line exceeds 25 percent

of the total population of the sub-district. The absolute poverty line (food and non-food poverty)

was calculated as JD680 per individual per year in constant prices at the Kingdom level (Poverty

Report, 2008, DOS). Poverty in the Badia can be largely attributed to a relatively large family

size, scattered settlement patterns, high rates of illiteracy, and limited income sources.

Unemployment is highest among young graduates, and particularly among young women. Jordan

also lags behind in female employability in nonagricultural sectors. Although women are at least

as educated as men, their participation in the labor force is among the lowest in the region,

around 15 percent.

The Badia Ecosystem and Livelihoods Project (BELP) is one of five projects under the Middle

East and North Africa Desert Ecosystems and Livelihoods Program (MENA-DELP), a new

Global Environment Facility (GEF) and World Bank (WB) partnership. The MENA-DELP was

approved by the GEF in November 2011, and it includes four national country pilot projects

(Algeria, Egypt, Jordan and Morocco), and a regional knowledge sharing project. The MENA-

DELP framework seeks to maintain and improve the flow of desert ecosystem services for

31

sustainable development in a positive feedback loop. The program will focus on piloting

enabling economic opportunities specific to deserts that integrate the health and diversity of the

desert biome with the vast potential for innovative livelihood opportunities that also sustain

valuable repository knowledge linked to adaptive practices. It is intended that such an approach

will ultimately enhance desert livelihood opportunities and increase the resilience and adaptation

responses of desert communities and ecosystems to projected pressures, in particular climate

change impacts. The focus of MENA-DELP is on different production sectors and on improving

the sustainability of investments through an integrated ecosystem management approach.

Emphasis is also placed on participatory approaches, capacity building and on harnessing local

knowledge. The regional umbrella project aims to enhance knowledge and experience sharing on

opportunities for enhancing desert livelihoods among the four participating pilot countries.

Following an analysis of the proposed investments under the BELP, the WB has determined that

its Safeguard Policy on Environmental Assessment (OP 4.01) would be triggered by the project.

Given the largely positive project environmental and social impacts anticipated and expected

minor and temporary environmental impacts, the project has been confirmed as environmental

category B project, necessitating the preparation of an Environmental and Social Impact

Assessment (ESIA), including an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP). The

Government of Jordan (GOJ) has therefore contracted the services of an independent third-party

consultant, according to Terms of Reference approved by the WB. The ESIA includes an

assessment of potential impacts of the proposed project, the likely significance of such impacts

and recommended mitigation measures.

Figure 1: Project Intervention Sub-Districts (Source: NCARE)

32

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Objective

The BELP‘s Development Objective (PDO) is to support sustainable livelihoods and enhance

ecosystem services through participatory approaches in selected areas of the Jordan Badia. The

PDO will be measured throughout project implementation using the following key indicators:

(i) Amount of new ecotourism- related income to communities along the Al Azraq/Shaumari-

Burqu‘ corridor; and

(ii) Hectares of rangelands managed by communities in a sustainable biodiversity-friendly

manner in Al Jafr and Al-Husseinieh

A results framework (RF), outlining the expected project outcomes, results, indicators and

methodologies for measurement of progress are available in the Project Appraisal Document

(PAD). The RF will be used as the basis for the development of the project‘s Monitoring &

Evaluation (M&E) system.

Location and Description

The project will focus on three poverty pockets in the southern and northern Badia. In the south,

Al Jafr and Al Husseinieh, sub-districts within the Ma‗an Governorate, will be targeted; while in

the north, ecotourism activities will be implemented along a corridor which will begin in Al

Azraq (south east of Amman, Zarqa Governorate) and will end in the Burqu‗ Protected Area

(PA) in the east (Mafraq Governorate), targeting the Ar Ruwaished communities. The itinerary

along the corridor and exact locations will be determined during the first year of implementation

as part of the design and piloting of the corridor. The BELP will comprise three components as

follows:

Component 1: Community-Centered Ecotourism in the Northern Badia: The project will

expand ecotourism into the northeast Badia by using the Royal Society for the Conservation of

Nature (RSCN)-managed Al Azraq and Shaumari reserves and attached facilities as a starting

point, from which a 250 km ecotourism corridor will be developed ending in the Burqu‘

Protected Area (PA). The corridor will be developed around a concept of ―low volume, high

value‖ community-centered ecotourism and provide income opportunities to the Ar Ruwaished

and nearby communities, who will also receive targeted information and training to foster their

understanding of the project and their engagement in it; the design of the corridor will also

include a revenue sharing mechanism with communities. The component will be executed by

RSCN which will be contracted by NCARE, and will support the following two sub-

components:

Sub-component 1.1: Establishment of an Al Azraq/Shaumari-Burqu‘ ecotourism corridor:

This sub-component will begin with the development of an Ecotourism Development Plan

(ETDP) laying out the vision of the corridor, exact siting, intervention points, services and

products to be developed. The ETDP will be submitted by the project to the Steering Committee

33

and the World Bank for endorsement and approval, respectively. Once the ETDP is endorsed an

approved, this sub-component will provide necessary visitor management infrastructure and

human resources in identified locations along the corridor, and enable the proper management of

the increase in the number of visitors in these areas. Investments will begin in itineraries close to

the Al Azraq/Shaumari starting point, gradually extending toward the Burqu‗ end point. This

approach is expected to allow the testing of established sites and the build-up of interest amongst

Jordanian and international visitors. A strong marketing initiative for the corridor will be carried

out applying the business and marketing approaches developed under RSCN‗s Wild Jordan

division, using a variety of vehicles with the aim of reaching local and international markets, by

engaging with the Tourism Board, tourism operators, websites, social media and RSCN‗s

tourism network.

a. Starting point - Al Azraq and Shaumari Reserves: Investments will be made in Al Azraq, the

official starting point of the corridor, in order to enhance its potential to attract new and

diverse domestic and international tourists and to be used as a promotional starting point of

the ecotourism corridor. In Al Azraq the project will finance the rehabilitation of the existing

bike trails around Al Azraq Reserve as well as equipment necessary to promote the biking

experience around the reserve (bicycles, interpretation panels, etc.). Promotional material

will be prepared for distribution in Al Azraq and Shaumari, and local guides and rangers will

be hired and trained in the Academy to guide visitors at their preferred itineraries and ensure

the integrity of the visited sites, respectively. The proposed project will not invest GEF funds

in Shaumari.

b. Attractions along the Corridor: The ETDP will identify potential itineraries along the Al

Azraq/Shaumari-Burqu‗ ecotourism corridor, which may include Rajil (which offers a unique

black desert landscape); Begawehyeh (cultural and religious sites, a paved ancient road, bird

watching); Dahak (a limestone desert geopark with white calcareous cliffs and isolated rock

formations); Safawi (Jawa and Dir El Kahf caves, antiquities and geological formations); and

Garma (petroglyphs). The project will finance the following key inputs:

i. Two ―permanent camps‖ (20 visitor capacity) consisting of traditional Bedouin style

lodging facilities and minimum impact equipment such as solar panels for water

heating and electricity and environment-friendly latrines

ii. Two ―wild camps‖ consisting of traditional Bedouin tents and simpler environment-

friendly equipment

iii. Camel trails operated by local camel owners (identification and mapping, basic

equipment)

iv. Hiring and training of local youth as rangers and guides, camel expedition guides, etc.

v. Production of information and marketing materials

c. End point - Burqu‗ Reserve and Protected Area: Investments in Burqu‗ as the ecotourism

corridor‗s final destination will focus on the establishment of an ecolodge in the proximity of

the Burqu‗ Fort and adjacent facilities as well as capacity building for local communities for

provision of services. Alternatively, and depending on the recommendations of the ETDP, a

traditionally-styled permanent Bedouin camp site will be established in Burqu‗ while the

34

ecolodge will be located along the route between Al Azraq and Burqu‗ at a site offering

unique landscape experience. Specifically, investments in Burqu‗ will include:

i. Ecolodge (initial1 10-room capacity), including a visitor center/museum looking at the

eastern Badia unique features (rock inscriptions, fossils, cultural heritage, biodiversity)

and minimum impact equipment such as solar energy panels for water heating and

electricity, environment-friendly latrines and graywater treatment facilities

ii. –OR- Traditionally-styled permanent Bedouin campsite (20 visitors capacity),

following an eco-friendly design and using minimum impact equipment

iii. Reception area

iv. Radio equipment

v. Activity-related equipment for visitors such as nature watching (binoculars and

telescope) and information material

vi. A camel trail operated by local camel owners

vii. Hiring and training of local rangers and guides, and ranger/guide kits and posts

viii. Capacity development and technical training of local people in the areas of food

services, hospitality, management and customer service

ix. Hiring of community liaison officers to ensure continual consultation and

communication between the project and nearby communities

x. Production of information and marketing materials

Appropriate mechanisms for benefit distribution and sharing with the concerned communities

will be determined in the ETDP. A key element of these mechanisms will be the identification of

the target groups, which will be those that are most needy and have the most impact on the

recognized special landscapes and ecosystems within the ecotourism corridor. The identification

of the target groups will require extensive consultations with local communities, to be supported

under sub component 1.2. Once the target groups have been identified, there are several ways in

which benefits could be distributed and shared, including:

Distribution of profits and shares (as in cooperatives); The transfer of ownership of the

newly created tourism facilities and service to the community; Special levies on tourists

for community support; and, Sharing of entrance fees

To determine which mechanisms are most appropriate for a given situation will require further

study and consultation with local people and an understanding of the likely revenue generating

power of the tourism businesses being created. RSCN will draw on its long experience in these

matters to guide the process.

Sub-component 1.2: Community engagement: Sub-component 1.2 will ensure that communities

living in Ar Ruwaished and other smaller villages close to Burqu‘ as well as some along the

corridor are fully engaged in, and directly benefit from, the ecotourism activities. This will

involve consulting with, and engaging these communities early in the planning and development

1 10 rooms is the minimum viable size but the ecolodge could be expanded after project closing if demand is high

35

of the proposed ecotourism activities. Attention will be paid to increasing the awareness of the

population about the fragility of the local environmental resources, the need to support and

finance protective measures, and the benefits (financial and other) that can accrue to the

community from well-formulated and implemented ecotourism activities. The project will

continue through its lifespan to actively engage the communities in the ecotourism activities and

ensure that they directly benefit from them.

Component 2: Adapted Rangeland Management and Alternative Livelihoods Support in

the Southern Badia: This component will pilot more sustainable rangeland management models

for local communities by engaging them directly in the design and implementation of improved

and adapted management of the natural resources on which they depend. In tune with the first

component, investments will be geared at showing the validity of different alternative livelihood

options. This component will be implemented by the project Implementing Agency, the National

Center for Agriculture Research and Extension (NCARE), who will contract the Hashemite

Fund for the Development of the Jordan Badia (HFDJB) to execute the community engagement

and alternative livelihoods aspects. The component will support the following three sub-

components:

Sub-component 2.1: Water harvesting: Two modified hafirs, in terms of their shape and the

geological characteristics of the sites, will be constructed by the project, making water available

for at least 6 months. The hafirs‘ water holding capacity will be between 50,000 and 100,000 m3.

The general interest area for the hafirs will be determined by the beneficiary communities. A

consultation-based area identification process, assisted by NCARE‘s watershed specialists, will

be executed by HFDJB, which specializes in community participation and engagement in

general, and has experience engaging with communities and associations in the target localities

in specific. Aspects of land ownership and use rights will be considered carefully with the

understanding that the hafirs and their related works will be on Government land. Agreements

will be reached with the communities on the management of the hafirs after the project is closed

through the HFDJB-led community engagement process.

Account will be taken of the MOWI-MOA Water Harvesting Study (2009), which identified a

considerable number of suitable sites, including a few in the Ma‘an Governorate area. Due

reference will also be made to hafirs‘ design standards and guidelines of the Jordan Valley

Authority – Dams Administration Department/Water Harvesting Directorate, which is the

specialized arm of MOWI on water harvesting technologies. In all cases, general and specific

Government rules and regulations for public works will be followed. Shape, depth and soil

properties will be determined to reduce evaporation rates, seepage losses and increase overall

water detainment.

Maintenance of the hafirs, including annual sediment removal and check-ups of the structure,

will be the responsibility of NCARE during the life of the project which will be handed over to

MOA upon its closure. Annual checks are required on the diversion structure, the water inlet

point, and the spillway for any damage. Sediment removal from the inside of the hafir should be

performed once every 4 to 5 years or more frequently depending on the soil erosion conditions of

the watershed.

36

Figure 2: Proposed Locations for Hafirs (Source: BELP Socio-Economic Assessment)

Sub-component 2.2: Adapted rangeland management: This sub-component supports the

establishment and operation of two non-fenced rangeland reserves (total area of about 3000 ha)

in Al Jafr and Al Husseinieh (one in each) and the building of communities‘ capacity to assume

responsibility for the adapted management and maintenance of the reserves. The pilot rangeland

reserve areas will be on state-owned land with Government formally granting the pilot

communities increased management authority over the reserve areas. The communities will be

directly involved in the design of this pilot initiative from the outset, including in the

identification of the reserve sites, and in all decisions regarding the choice of plant species to be

replanted, water conservation and harvesting, and in the management and monitoring approaches

to be followed. The aim will be to not only transfer responsibility for site management to the

communities, but also the authority for rehabilitation and maintenance. Central to this effort will

be the acceptance of the communities that reserve areas will be closed initially to livestock

grazing for a two year period to allow for rehabilitation of plant cover. The collaboration

between NCARE and HFDJB is a key element of this approach; HFDJB will have the lead in all

community engagement aspects, and continue to support the communities through the life of the

project on these initiatives. The project will support 6 Community Youth Rangers who will be

recruited from the target communities. The rangers will be employed for a period of about three

years and their work will start at the beginning of the reserve improvement activities.

Rangeland management works will also include carrying out ‗water spreading‘ through contour

bunding type works to increase vegetation cover in selected areas outside the reserves. Areas for

water spreading will be selected with community consultation and agreement, with HFDJB‘s

37

assistance. The management practices of these ‗special areas‘ will be carefully verified,

discussed and agreed to with the communities.

Reserves‘ (inside) contour bunding and water spreading (outside, in the reserves‘ surrounding

areas) works will be preceeded by all required studies (topographic, hydrological and soils

studies) and will be based on NCARE‘s standard design and technologies. Management of the

reserves will be the responsibility of the beneficiary communities during the life of the project; it

is expected that the communities, upon project completion, will be capable of sustainably

managing and utilizing the reserves. Responsibility for monitoring of the reserves‘ biomass after

project completion will rest with MOA.

Sub-component 2.3: Alternative livelihoods: This Sub-component comprises two activities: one

involves deepening the understanding of the socio-economic circumstances and tribal affiliations

of the target communities, which will be important in understanding how best to engage them on

project activities and, particularly, in the alternative livelihoods activities; the second activity

provides a range of support for alternative livelihoods initiatives in the communities, with some

special focus on women and youth.

While the target communities have been extensively consulted during project preparation and

have provided input on project design, more detailed information on the communities will help

refine activities so they respond effectively to local interests and incentives. The activity will

refine information about the loci of poverty in the community, the circumstances of youth and

women, perceptions about land use and management, and interest in, and opportunities for,

alternative livelihoods. Activities will include focus group meetings, a rapid rural appraisal, and

a survey. HFDJB will be responsible for these activities. The findings will usefully inform the

implementation of all Component 2 project activities.

Community engagement, which is central to the success of all Component 2 project initiatives,

will be directly informed by the findings of the socio-economic assessment of the target

communities. The community engagement activities will: inform the target communities of the

proposed alternative livelihoods and small grants programs; clarify the objectives and expected

outcomes of these activities; inform communities of the conditions governing the programs;

identify and obtain as comprehensive a list as possible of cooperatives who will benefit from the

alternative livelihoods activities; and fully involve community members in the program so it has

their full support and buy-in. The Community Engagement activities will also provide an

opportunity to identify possible obstacles or potential opposition to the proposed activities and to

work out ways to address these proactively.

The second activity aims to support communities through established community cooperatives to

initiative new, or significantly improve existing, micro-business income-generating activities.

The objective is to encourage communities to engage in income-generating activities that will

ultimately improve their livelihoods and, over time, help reduce their reliance on natural

resources exploitation.

This activity will be implemented by HFDJB which will work closely with between 10 and 21

established local cooperatives, spread rather evenly across the two target communities. At least

38

one of the cooperatives will be a women‘s only cooperative, and it is required that women‘s

membership in the total number of participating cooperatives be at least 15 percent.

Additionally, one cooperative will focus specifically on providing livelihoods support for youth

(18-25 years of age) relating to the on-the-job training and short- and term employment

opportunities in the pilot reserves.

Funding for the alternative livelihoods activities will come from both GEF and HFDJB. GEF

funding will support capacity building, skills training, technical assistance (including

consultancies) and small equipment purchases for alternative livelihoods activities for a

minimum of 8 and a maximum of 11 local cooperatives. The precise number of cooperatives

included will ultimately be determined by the costs involved in supporting the cooperatives. The

alternatively livelihoods activities are expected to operate through the life of the project as

micro-businesses, with profits probably only beginning to be realized in the second year of their

operation. The cooperatives will likely choose to engage in traditional activities such as cheese

making, herb production, tailoring, traditional biscuit production, etc. GEF funding can, and

should, be used to support consultancies relating to the determination of markets, quality

standards, and packing requirements related to the cooperatives‘ proposed business ventures.

The HFDJB will be responsible for working with the communities and cooperatives on the

design and implementation of the GEF-supported alternative livelihoods activities. HFDJB

resources will be used to support a small grants program in up to 10 local community

cooperatives in the two target communities. The small grants will help the cooperatives enhance

or introduce new micro-business activities. It is possible that some of the cooperatives receiving

GEF support for alternative livelihoods activities will also receive small grants support from the

HFDJB. However, at least 25 percent of the GEF‘s alternative livelihoods support must be used

for cooperatives which are not receiving HFDJB‘s small grants support.

The cooperatives receiving support under the GEF‘s alternative livelihoods activities and/or from

the HFDJB‘s small grants program will be selected based on the following criteria:

a. they will have been in existence for at least one year;

b. they will have shown, through a review undertaken by the HFDJB, the capacity to manage

investments and equipment in a sound and transparent way;

c. they are in full compliance with Jordanian regulations governing the establishment and operation

of cooperatives;

d. they represent only local residents living in the target communities;

e. they have an active membership of 10+ persons;

f. they are not affiliated with a specific political party or religious entity;

g. there is no history of controversy about their activities, practices, or membership within their

communities or more broadly;

h. their proposed alternative livelihoods activities are considered by the HFDJB to have potential to

be economically viable and sustainable, being based on local skill and knowledge capacities and

technologies, readily available resources, and a clearly identified and accessible market.

HFDJB will be responsible for ensuring that all cooperatives receiving support under the GEF‘s

alternative livelihoods support and the HFDJB‘s small grant support meet the 8 criteria listed

above.

39

It is not anticipated that the cooperatives will themselves receive and manage the financial

support for their planned alternative livelihoods activity. They will be advanced 25 percent of the

total financial support amount on signing of an Operational Agreement with the HFDJB, but

thereafter will provide original invoices and statements of expenditures to the HFDJB for

reimbursement. HFDJB will be responsible for procuring and delivering the needed capacity

building, training and, in some cases, small equipment needs, for the cooperatives consistent

with the specific micro-business they are pursuing. The alternative livelihoods activities may

either be new ventures or be initiatives to upgrade and improve the quality and marketability of

ongoing productive activities.

Prior to the cooperatives receiving alternative livelihoods or small grant support, the HFDJB will

ensure that each cooperative signs an Operational Agreement which clearly lays out the

objectives, manner of operation, membership and conditions under which the alternative

livelihoods and/or small grants support is being provided. Cooperatives receiving support under

the project‘s alternative livelihoods activities must ensure their activities do not involve any

activities included on the following Negative List:

a. the purchase or maintenance of live animals or birds;

b. the construction or modification of buildings or infrastructure;

c. the movement or resettlement of persons or families from their existing homes, whether

their settlement is legal or illegal;

d. the removal or moving of cultural artifacts or structures;

e. the purchase of land;

f. the purchase of vehicles;

g. the use of groundwater from unlicensed wells or sources;

h. the introduction of invasive alien species;

i. the production, processing, or movement of illegal substances and items;

j. the killing, trade or trafficking of endangered animal species. The HFDJB will be responsible for ensuring that the participating cooperatives meet and comply

with the Negative List through the life of the project.

Component 3: Project Management and Monitoring and Evaluation: A Project Management

Unit (PMU), comprising a project manager, M&E specialist and fiduciary staff, capable of

directing and supporting project implementation, will be established in NCARE. The PMU will

receive guidance from a high level Steering Committee (SC) and will be technically supported

by a Technical Working Group (TWG), comprising of focal points from the implementing

agency and contractors: NCARE, RSCN and HFDJB and from the Ministry of Planning and

International Cooperation (MOPIC). The TWG will also ensure communication and

collaboration between the three entities.

Implementation Arrangements

The project will be implemented by NCARE, a semi-autonomous (1993) leading center for

agricultural research and extension in Jordan under MOA. Project components will be

implemented as follows:

40

Component 1 will be implemented by RSCN, an independent non-profit Non Governmental

Organization (NGO) devoted to the conservation of Jordan's natural resources.

Component 2 sub-component 2.1 (Water harvesting) and sub-component 2.2 (Rangeland

rehabilitation) will be implemented by NCARE through its Baqa‘a headquarters and extension

staff. Sub-component 2.3 (Maintaining and enhancing livelihoods in pilot communities) will be

implemented by HFDJB, the institution mandated by Royal Decree (2006) to sustainably

develop the Jordan Badia.

Component 3 will be implemented by a PMU housed in NCARE.

Project institutional arrangements are as follows:

Project Management Unit: The PMU will comprise a full-time project manager, a part-time

M&E specialist, procurement and financial officers. The PMU will manage the activities of all

entities (NCARE, HFDJB, RSCN), prepare annual work plans and budgets, ensure

collaboration between stakeholders and conduct M&E.

Steering Committee: The PMU will be guided by a SC, chaired by the Secretary General of

MOPIC. The SC will provide strategic guidance and oversight for the project (including on

procurement, financial management, disbursement, M&E and reporting matters), advise on

corrective measures, provide conflict resolution, and be responsible for approving annual work

plans and associated budgets submitted by the PMU. The SC will include the general directors-

of NCARE, RSCN and HFDJB and the secretary generals of MOA, Ministry of Environment

(MOE), Ministry of Water and Irrigation (MOWI) and Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

(MOTA). The SC will hold meetings every 3 months, or more frequently as required.

Technical Working Group: The PMU will benefit from a TWG, chaired by the project

manager. Focal points from NCARE, RSCN and HFDJB as well as a representative from

MOPIC will form members of the TWG. The TWG will discuss technical issues, enable

information exchange between project activities, provide technical advice and guidance on

various aspects of project implementation, and may also make recommendations to be

discussed at the SC. It is crucial for project success that the PMU operate in a flexible,

transparent and collaborative manner with all concerned entities. To this end, the TWG will be

a key mechanism. The TWG will meet on a quarterly basis, or more often as required.

Project Beneficiaries

The beneficiaries of the project are communities in Ar Ruwaished (northern Badia), Al Jafr and

Al Husseinieh sub-districts (southern Badia). Individuals, cooperatives and community

organizations will benefit from learning about and implementing a more sustainable management

approach to the natural resources upon which their livelihoods are dependant; a variety of

income-generating activities related to ecotourism and local product development and

processing; and grant resources for micro business development, adapted rangeland

management, and hafirs (traditional name for animal watering reservoirs) for animal watering

and fodder production.

41

PRINCIPLES AND OBJECTIVES OF THE ESIA

Scope of the ESIA

According to WB policies, it is imperative that any WB-financed project does not have any

detrimental environmental or social impacts on the surrounding environment and populations.

Resulting from the nature of the proposed investments, the project has been confirmed by the

WB under its safeguards policies as Environmental Category B and the safeguard policy on

Environmental Assessment (OP 4.01) has been triggered. To this effect, the Government of

Jordan was requested to prepare an ESIA for the project, complemented by an ESMP. By

reviewing the environmental and social aspects of the project according to both Jordan‘s legal

framework and the WB Safeguard policies, the ESIA and ESMP identify measures to be taken

and describe the procedure to be implemented to ensure that potential minor project risks to the

environment are adequately assessed and managed.

The ESIA is complemented by a socioeconomic assessment and Process Framework which the

project will utilize to ensure that communities are not negatively affected by BELP activities in

line with WB policy on Involuntary Resettlement (OP 4.12). The World Bank safeguard policies

on Natural Habitats (OP 4.04) and Physical Cultural Resources (OP 4.11) will not be triggered as

a result of project interventions. However, these policies are to be taken into account within the

scope of implementation of the ESMP.

Objectives of the ESIA

The objectives of the ESIA are:

(a) To assess the potential environmental and social impacts of the project as a result of potential

interventions;

(b) To compare the impacts in relation to relevant national and World Bank requirements and

guidelines;

(c) To develop an ESMP (including screening criteria) for the mitigation of any potentially

negative impacts of the proposed interventions and for monitoring compliance with the relevant

laws and policies.

The ESMP aims to:

vi. Ensure that the project complies with national legal requirements and environmental and

social WB procedures;

vii. Specify the criteria for environmental and social analysis of investments financed under

the BELP;

viii. Provide options to prevent, minimize or mitigate the risks and potential negative impacts



ix. Provide an assessment of training needs and capacity building for various stakeholders in


42

x. Describe the procedures and responsibilities for monitoring the impacts of the project,

reporting to the World Bank and implementing the ESMP; and

xi. Include chance-finds procedures as relevant.

Methodology and Approach

The assessment of the potential environmental and social impacts of the project activities under

its three components (particularly components 1 and 2) was conducted using the following

approach:

o Field visits were conducted to project sites in the targeted poverty pockets where

potential impacts on natural habitats (physical, biological, and social spheres) of project activities

were identified;

o Identification of all stakeholders and at all levels. The stakeholders included relevant

farmers‘ organizations, government officials, NGOs, target communities and potential

beneficiaries;

o Undertaking consultations with the identified stakeholders and recording of meetings

with stakeholders.;

o Identifying individuals and households whose socioeconomic status might be adversely

affected by project activities, and consulting with them about the expected impact of project

activities and the most appropriate mitigation measures and locations for implementation of on

the ground investments,

The potential adverse impacts identified in the ESIA were used to formulate mitigation strategies

for the production of the ESMP.

43

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK

This chapter discusses the policy, legal and institutional arrangement/framework within which

this ESIA was drawn and will be implemented.

World Bank Safeguards Policies

The WB environmental and social policies (referred to as ‗safeguard policies‘) are used to

examine potential environmental risks and benefits associated with WB-funded operations. Ten

safeguard policies are examined for each project:

i. OP/BP 4.01: Environmental Assessment

ii. OP/BP 4.04: Natural Habitats

iii. OP 4.09: Pest Management

iv. OD 4.20: Indigenous People

v. OP/BP 4.12: Involuntary Resettlement

vi. OP/BP 4.11: Physical Cultural Resources

vii. OP 4.36: Forests

viii. OP/BP 4.37: Safety of Dams

ix. OP/BP 7.50: Projects on International Waters

x. OP/BP 7.60: Projects in Disputed Areas

The following table summarized the safeguard policies which the BELP triggers:

Table 1: World Bank Safeguard Operational Policies and their Applicability to the Jordan

BELP

Safeguard Policy Policy

triggered

(Yes/No)

Justification

OP 4.01: Environmental

Assessment

Yes The policy is triggered. The project is classified as an

environmental Category B requiring partial assessment.

Activities will largely result in positive environmental

impacts, and the minor, site-specific impacts mainly

from small-scale works can be mitigated with

integration of appropriate measures and implementation

of common sense good practice measures.

OP 4.04: Natural Habitats Yes The policy is triggered. The policy will be covered

within the scope of OP 4.01. As per the project design

in the north Badia, the existing Shaumari reserve and

Azrak reserve and wetland managed by RSCN will

serve as starting point for the ecotourism corridor, and

the corridor will extend to the proposed Burqu reserve

in the east Badia—however, the project will not invest

in these reserves. With regards to citing of ecotourism

related activities along the corridor (e.g. camel and

44

hiking trails, campsites, ecolodge, etc.), an Ecotourism

Development Plan (ETDP) will be developed during

the first year of the project by RSCN that will include a

baseline ecological study that will define areas for

ecotourism interventions taking into account

environmental considerations. The study will determine

the conservation value of the area and the relative

importance of different habitats or parts of the site and

individual species. It will also explore the relative

sensitivity/value of different ecotourism areas in terms

of nature conservation, landscape, archaeology and

cultural interests. Based on the results of the study, in

the event any ‗core conservation or wilderness area‘ is

identified (ecologically valuable areas), the project will

exclude this area and include only those areas suitable

for tourism and as informed by the study. In addition to

the ETDP, RSCN will undertake an EMP specific to

the proposed 10-12 room ecolodge.

Communities living in Ar Ruwaished and other smaller

villages close to Burqu‘ as well as some along the

corridor are consulted with and engaged in the planning

and development of any ecotourism activities.

Attention will be paid to increasing the awareness of

the population about the potential fragility of the local

environmental resources, and the project will continue

through its lifespan to actively engage with the

communities.

OP 4.09: Pest

Management

No The policy is not triggered. The BELP will not involve

the purchase of pesticides.

OP 4.11: Physical

Cultural Resources

Yes The policy is triggered. However, project interventions

will affect any known archaeological sites. For chance-

finds, Jordan‘s national procedures to be followed.

General interest area for the location of the hafirs will

be determined in collaboration with communities and

also taking into account results from a

geological/hydrological/topographic study. Project will

not impact any know physical cultural resources. OP

4.11 will be considered within the scope of the ESMP

implementation. Furthermore if any chance finds are

encountered during implementation, the government‘s

national procedures will be applicable and the national


followed during implementation. OP 4.11 will be

considered during the preparation of the ETDP and

EMP (under component 1).

OP 4.12: Involuntary Yes The policy is triggered. Some potential for social

45

Resettlement discontent over the project‘s activities around Badia

land use may arise. The borrower accordingly prepared

a Process Framework to guide the response to any

potential social or socio-economic impacts.

OP 4.20: Indigenous

People

No The policy is not triggered. No indigenous people are

present in project areas.

OP 4.36: Forestry No The policy is not triggered. No forest areas exist in the

project areas.

OP 4.37: Safety of Dams No The policy is not triggered. The BELP does not involve

construction of dams, and does not depend on any dams

for its activities.

OP 7.50: Projects on

International Waterways

No The policy is not triggered. The sites of Jordan BELP

do not intersect with any international waterways.

OP 7.60: Projects in

Disputed Areas

No The policy is not triggered. The project will not be

implemented in disputed areas.

Jordan’s Legal Framework

National laws and regulations pertaining to the protection of the environment and environmental

impact assessment of projects include:

Law of Environmental Protection, No. 52 of 2006, went into effect Oct. 16, 2006: The

provisions under this Law include the requirement to protect the environment and all of its

elements; the requirement to set policies for the protection of the environment and the

preparation of plans for such policies; the requirement to monitor elements of the environment;

the requirement to set principles for the handling of harmful substances; approval for the

establishment of natural reserves, national parks, and their management and supervision; the

requirement to issue environmental emergency plans; and the monitoring and inspection of

projects and facilities to ensure that they are in compliance with Jordanian standard

specifications.

Article 23 mandates MOE to issue a number of bylaws which include natural reserves and

national parks. To-date, the following by-laws have been issued:

1. Management, transport, storage, manufacture, use and trading in organic fertilizer by-law

of 2003

2. Noise prevention and control by-law of 2003

3. Handling and discharge of used oil by-law of 2003.

4. Management of ozone depleting substances by-law of 2003

5. Management and handling hazardous waste by-law of 2003

6. Natural Reserves and national parks by-law no. 29 of 2005

7. Management, handling and transport of dangerous and hazardous material by-law no. 24

of 2005

8. Soil protection by-law no.25 of 2005

46

9. Environment protection during emergencies by-law no.26 of 2005

10. Solid waste management by-law no.27 of 2005

11. Air quality by-law no.28 of 2005

12. Environmental impact assessment by-law no.37 of 2005

By-law of Environmental Impact Assessment, No. 37 of 2005, went into effect May 5, 2005:

The Regulation sets requirements for conducting EIAs for businesses and projects. The

Regulation requires businesses to submit environmental applications for the establishment of

their projects as specified in Annex 1 of this Regulation. After that, the type of EIA to be

conducted is determined by MOE as follows:

Category 1: comprehensive EIA (Annex 2). These include projects such as: oil refineries, mining

industries (geothermal drilling, well drilling, sea water desalination, non-metal mining, coal

mining, secondary industrial facilities concerning oil, gas and oil shale), power production and

transmission industries, surface storage of natural gas, storage of flammable gases, storage of

fossil fuels, steel factories, chemicals industries, industrial cities projects, mining, port

construction, dredging, etc.

Category 2: initial EIA (Annex 3) and, based on the results, the need for a comprehensive EIA is

assessed. Annex 3 of the Regulation lists Category 2 projects as follows: agricultural projects

(poultry, livestock, fish farms), food industries, textile industries, leather, wood, paper, rubber

industries, infrastructure industries, metal processing, etc.

Category 3: do not require comprehensive or initial EIA. Annex 5 of the Regulation specifies

information to be included in the EIA: Non-technical Summary, Framework Policy Legal and

Administrative, Project Description, Baseline Data, Environmental impacts (land, air, water,

vegetation, animals, noise, light, land use, natural resources, disasters, residents, transportation,

general services, energy, general facilities, public health, aesthetic view, recreation and cultural

resources), Analysis of Alternatives, Mitigation Plan, and Monitoring and Environmental Post

Auditing Plan.

By-law of Protection of Wild Birds and Animals and Their Hunting Regulations, No.113 of

1973, went into effect Jan. 1, 1973: The provisions under the Regulation include the

requirement to obtain a license for the hunting of wild birds and animals, the requirement to hunt

only during specified seasons and locations, and the prohibition of hunting in desert areas east of

the Hijaz railway, excluding Al-Azraq.

By-law of Air Protection, No. 28 of 2005, went into effect Mar. 31, 2005: The provisions under

the Regulation include: the requirement to ensure that air emissions are not in excess of

maximum permissible limits (Article 3); and that the location of facilities is consistent with the

type of activity of project (Article 6); prohibiting the use of consumed metal oils or tyres for

power production in case emissions exceed maximum allowable limits (Article 9 part A);

prohibiting the burning of solid waste or tyres or any other material in the outdoors resulting in

air emissions exceeding maximum allowable limits (Article 9, part C); ensuring that smoke

stacks are designed so that release of emissions does not impact public health or the

environment; and ensures that pollutants do not exceed maximum allowable limits (Article 10);

47

the requirement to ensure proper ventilation (Article 11); the requirement to conduct any study,

implementation of any program, or environmental auditing as requested by the Minister.

By-law of Natural Reserves and Natural Parks, No. 29 of 2005, went into effect Mar. 31, 2005:

Article 6 of the Regulation states that owners of land in natural parks or natural reserves are

entitled to use their land in any fashion that does not conflict with the objectives and managerial

plan of the reserves or parks. Article 9 of the Regulation prohibits any activities within natural

reserves or parks such as exploitation of natural resources prior to obtaining approval from

Natural Park or Natural Reserve management and in accordance with regulations issued by the

Minister.

By-law of Groundwater Monitoring, No. 85 of 2002, and Amendments No. 76 of 2003, No. 68

of 2004, and 12 of 2007: The Regulation sets requirements for the drilling of wells. Article 8

prohibits well drilling and abstraction of groundwater, or change to an existing well prior to

obtaining license; any legal or real person must conduct a pumping experiment prior to well

exploration for the purpose of determining well production capacity and water quality. On that

basis, a water abstraction license is issued indicating permissible water quantities (Article 9); any

party licensed to abstract water is prohibited from contaminating or depleting wells (Article 10);

Article 11 states that the licensed party is prohibited from irrigating land other than that specified

in the abstraction license. Also, the sale of water is prohibited prior to obtaining written consent

from the General Secretary.

Interim Agricultural Law No. (44) of 2002: The provisions under this Regulation include: the

requirement to protect, conserve, and manage wildlife from manmade hazards; and conditions

pertaining to forestry and grazing land protection (Articles 27 to 44). Under the Regulation, it is

prohibited to designate or sell or exchange forests or grazing land to any person or authority

regardless of the reasoning behind it. Two national strategies on biodiversity have been already

prepared in Jordan (1998 and 2002).

Law of Antiquities, No. 21 of 1988 and Amendments No. 23 of 2002, No. 23 of 2004, and No.

55 of 2008: The provisions under this Regulation state that: immovable antiquities are the

ownership of the government; ownership of movable antiquities must be in accordance with the

law; land ownership does not grant individual rights to antiquities; all antiquities in the

possession of individuals must be registered; inflicting of harm or damage to antiquities is

prohibited; the construction of buildings must be within 5 to 25 meters from antiquity sites;

excavation for antiquities is strictly prohibited; chance finds must be reported to the head of

department of antiquities or to the nearest police station within 10 days; and that all antiquities

found through such means are the legal ownership of the government.

Chance find procedures include the following:

(a) Stop the construction activities in the area of the chance find

(b) Delineate the discovered site or area

(c) Secure the site to prevent any damage or loss of removable objects.

(d) Notify the Department of Archeology immediately

48

(e) Construction work will resume only after authorization is given by the responsible local

authorities and the Department of Antiquities concerning the safeguard of the heritage.

Land Acquisition Law: The Land Acquisition Law No. (12) of 1987 provides the Government

of Jordan the right to acquire any piece of land or property to develop a project for public

benefit. However, the government has to compensate the owner(s) fairly. In case the owner(s)

are not satisfied with the compensation, they can take it to court. Such matters are considered of

high urgency and will be handled by the court system as quickly as possible. The law outlines all

the related specifics.

Noise: Control and Prevention of Noise of 1997: Noise is considered an environmental

pollutant. Owners of plants and vehicles must take appropriate measures to ensure compliance

with national laws, regulations and standards with regard to noise. In 1995 and pursuant to

Article 27 (a) of the Environment Law No. 12 of 1995, the GOJ issued instructions for the

permissible sound levels and prevention of noise. These instructions define specific sources of

noise and associated permissible upper limits in dB, in addition to setting fines and penalties for

violating these instructions.

International and Regional Environmental Legislation

Jordan is party to many international environment agreements. Most of these agreements require

Jordan to comply with specified parameters for environmental protection. The following list

provides the multilateral agreements relevant to the project:

Convention on the Protection of World Cultural Heritage and Natural Heritage, 1972

Convention on Biological Diversity, 1993

Cartagena Protocol, 2004

The United Nations Convention on Combating Desertification (UNCCD), 1996

Convention on Protection of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, 2001

49

ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT

A business-as-usual scenario implies maintaining the status quo of impoverished communities of

the Jordan Badia and doing very little about it, maintaining the current poverty and

unemployment situation, and continued degradation of the Badia‘s vulnerable rangeland and

unique agro-biodiversity. This option would wrongfully imply that there is no urgent need for

rangeland reserves or for improving fodder production in the southern Badia region, that there is

no urgent need to expand tourism in the Northern Badia which can provide sustainable

alternative income generation to poor communities with little livelihoods opportunities. Without

the BELP, the following environmental and social impacts would be expected: continued

rangeland deterioration, continued high levels of poverty and unemployment, continued selling

of livestock and migration to urban areas and/or reliance on governmental aide. On the other

hand, this option indicates that all defined potential adverse impact sources during the

construction, implementation and operation phases will not occur. Nevertheless, adverse

potential environmental impacts identified are very limited as compared to the positive impacts

anticipated from BELP. On account of the reasons listed above, a no-project alternative should

not be considered.

50

PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL BASELINE DATA

Environmental

Topography

The topography of the northern Badia is characterized by low, generally undulating topography.

Low gradient slopes (approximately 1 percent) from north to south dominate the northern and

southern Badia along with wadi systems that follow these slopes and the direction of the major

fault lines. Altitude in the Eastern Badia generally ranges from 400 to 700 meters above sea level

(ASL). The Azraq Oasis forms a depression with an altitude of 520 meters ASL. The southern

Badia forms a flat area intersected by partly deep incised wadis. The topography rises in its

southwestern parts to more than 1500 m ASL (Aqaba Mountains). The most southern part, which

lies to the south of the Ras El Naqab escarpment, is considered a different topographic unit,

although it belongs to the same raised ground. This is because it is separated from the level by

the prominent topographic feature - the escarpment, because it drains to the Dead Sea and

because of its steep topography dictated by a different geology consisting of sandstones and a

granitic basement complex. The elevation of the area is around 900m ASL, with a north-south

width of around 100 km. It is strongly dissected by wadis with very rough topography in the

western part and smooth topography in the eastern part.

Climate

The eastern Badia climate is arid. Seasonal climatic variations are exhibited in the region with

dry, hot summers and damp, cool winters. Rainfall is erratic with annual variation ranging from

50 – 150 mm and very rarely exceeding 200 mm. Over 80 percent of rainfall occurs from the

months of December to March. Rainfall is variable both spatially and temporally. It is highest in

the north due to the orographic effect of the Druze Mountains, and decreases towards the south at

the Saudi borders where rainfall does not exceed 50 mm. Occasional heavy showers cause

surface runoff and soil erosion, decreasing the amount of water stored in the soil. Potential

evapotranspiration exceeds precipitation in the eastern Badia by more than 50 times. Diurnal

temperature fluctuates widely from a mean minimum of 10ºC to a mean maximum of 24.6ºC

with mean daily temperature of 17.6ºC. Occasional absolute minimum and maximum

temperatures are -5°C and 46°C, respectively. In the winter, temperatures may drop below zero

when cold winds arriving from the continental interior reach the Badia. The lowest and highest

recorded temperatures are -12 ºC and 46.4 ºC, respectively.

Water Resources

The Badia contains the principal surface water and groundwater basins in the Kingdom. One of

the important groundwater basins in the area is Al-Azraq basin, which is used to supply water for

agriculture and drinking purposes to surrounding areas. Unfortunately, ongoing overuse of this

basin led to a drop in its water level and declining water quality.

Figure 1 illustrates the distribution of ground wells in the Jordan Badia, showing 3,500

groundwater wells throughout the area. The highest concentrations of wells are found in Al-

51

Azraq basin, followed by the Zarqa and Yarmouk rivers basins. Here, wells are providing major

cities with drinking water, as well as supplying water for irrigating vegetables and fruit trees in

the irrigated areas of the Badia. The Badia also contains the Disi aquifer, which will be used to

supply Jordan‘s capital, Amman, with drinking water after the conclusion of a water conveyance

project.

Figure 3: Geographical Distribution of Groundwater Basins and Wells in the Jordan Badia

(source: ADD)

Regarding surface water, the total watershed area in the Badia is about 67,000 km2. Rainfall

records showed that the total rainfall amounts over the Badia ranges, on average, between 5 to 7

52

billion cubic meters of water annually, while the total surface water that is actually harvested and

utilized is only about 90 million m3 annually. It is worth mentioning that water harvesting has

long been practiced in the Badia – numerous ancient, archaeological pools show how water was

once collected and subsequently harvested. Figure 2 shows the most important locations for

water harvesting in Jordan Badia, including dams, older collection pools, and hafir (small earth

dams that collect rainwater intended for livestock).

Figure 4: Geographical Distribution of Surface Water Basins and Water Harvesting

Locations in the Jordan Badia (Source: ADD)

Soil

Ma‘an governorate lies within the aridic moisture and thermic temperature regimes. The main

soil types include typic calciorthids and camborthids on colluvial and alluvial fans associated

with cambic gypsiorthids. In Mafraq governorate, the dominant soil subgroup is the typic

camborthids with a stony silty clay loam or silty clay texture, yellowish red to red color and a

very strongly developed angular blocky structure. The surface is typically a gravel covered desert

pavement. Typic calciorthids are found on old terraces, fans and on more sloping sites. Lithic

camborthids and torriorthents occur on the slopes to wadi channels and depressions, and to the

east of the Wadi Ruwaishid north of the Azraq-Iraq highway. Cambic gypsiorthids are

recognized in Qa'a' soils while some wadi channels contain typic torrifluvents. The wadi

alluvium is relatively shallow, even in the major Wadi Ruwaishid, seldom exceeding 2 m and

often less than 1 m. It overlies older, weathered soils derived either from Pleistocene alluvium or

53

Tertiary limestone and chalks. The younger upper alluvium has high silt content with aeolian

dust a likely component. The older, weathered, soil material has higher clay content. These

observations and properties are evidences of the high rate of desertification that altered the

characteristics of the area.

Biodiversity

Jordan's flora is rich and highly diverse. Around 2,500 species of vascular plants have been

recorded, belonging to 152 families, representing about 1 percent of the total flora of the world.

One hundred species are endemic, forming about 2.5 percent of the total flora of Jordan, which is

considered high in global standards. Many species are considered rare or endangered, but the

status of many plants remains unknown. The vegetation ranges from semitropical flora in the

Jordan Valley and other regions to shrubs and drought-resistant bushes in the desert. Less than 1

percent of the land is forested. The dominant natural vegetation in the Badia

The Badia‘s biodiversity if of particular global importance in its northern portion, and

specifically in Burqu‘. The value resides in its differentiated ecosystems: Marrab (about 15

percent), runoff-Hammada (about 15 percent) and Harra (about 70 perecent which make it a

model biosphere reserve and a potential highly attractive ecotrourism destination. Botanical

diversity is important (94 species belonging to 25 families). It includes an aquatic habitat, which

attracts migratory bird species such as raptors, waders and other wetland birds. Threatened bird

species include the Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca (vulnerable), Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus

(near-threatened), Saker Falcon Falco cherrug (endangered) and Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis

undualta (vulnerable). The Hammada is visited by gazelles, hyenas, wolves and foxes. The most

important threatened and rare mammals recorded are the Sand Cat Felix margarita and Goitered

Gazelle Gazella subgutturosa, which are globally threatened species according to the World

Conservation Union (IUCN).

Socio-economic

Population and demographics

Figures 4 and 5 below show the distribution of population in the governorates of Ma‘an and

Mafraq, where the three selected project sites are located. The figures indicate that the average

family size of these communities is 7.7, which is higher than the national family size of 5.4

persons.

Table 2 includes the distribution of the population by males and females in three communities

targeted by BELP. It is very clear that the average size of the family in the three communities is

higher than that of the Jordan.

54

Source: MOPIC, Empowerment Program for Regions with Poverty Pocket Studies: in Al

Jafr, Ar Ruwaished, and Al Husseinieh, 2010

55

Table 2: Population in the Targeted Areas Distributed by Gender (Source: MOPIC,

Empowerment Program for Regions with Poverty Pocket Studies: in Al Jafr, Ar Ruwaished,

and Al Husseinieh, 2010)

BELP

Implementation

(Province/

jurisdiction)

Governorate

Population

Average family size Males Females Total

Al Husseinieh Ma‘an 5,330 5,955 11,285 6.04 persons

Al Jafr Ma‘an 3,236 3,083 8,180 7.70 persons

Ar Ruwished Mafraq 5,692 7.06 persons

Education

Education services in the three sub-district face a number of challenges, the most important of

which is the high illiteracy rate of the area, reaching about 30 percent of the total population,

which is considered high compared to the Kingdom average of 7.5 percent. The high illiteracy

rate blocks development efforts, particularly, in the areas of education and training for the

development of capacities and skills in different fields, and also the instability of the teaching

cadre. Another problem facing the education sector in these areas is the student with learning

difficulties, who also need special care and support.

Table 3: Education Infrastructure, Students and Teachers in BELP Sites (Source: MOPIC,

Empowerment Program for Regions with Poverty Pocket Studies: in Al Jafr, Ar Ruwaished,

and Al Husseinieh, 2010)

BELP

Implementation

(Province/

jurisdiction)

No. of

Schools

Students

No. of teacher

Males Females Total

Al Husseinieh 11 1802 1600 3402 261

Al Jafr 8 1218 1157 2375 178

Ar Ruwaished 12 1618 148

Health Services

Health services in the three communities are poor and face a number of challenges such as the

shortage of health staff working in the different health areas and the poor geographical cover,

56

given the huge land area of the two governorates, especially in the remote areas of scattered

communities in various parts. Health statistics show that the most common diseases in Al Jafr

are anaemia and malnutrition while most frequent diseases in the Al Husseinieh are

―Thalassemia‖, deposit in the urinary tract and kidney stones, and seasonal diseases.

Table 4: Health Infrastructure and Services in BELP Sites (Source: MOPIC, Empowerment

Program for Regions with Poverty Pocket Studies: in Al Jafr, Ar Ruwaished, and Al

Husseinieh, 2010)

BELP

Implementatio

n (Province/

jurisdiction)

No. of

Health

Canter

s

No. of

Health

Hospit

als

Health staff serving the centres

physicia

ns

Specialize

d doctors

Nurse

s

assistant

pharmacis

ts

Part-

time

dentist

s

Al Husseinieh 3 0 2 2 7 2 2

Al Jafr 2 0 7 - 7 2 2

Ar Ruwaished 2 1 8 16 6 1 1

Skills and labor market

Table 5 below shows the official figure of unemployment at the national level as well as in the

governorates of Ma‘an and Mafraq. The published official national unemployment rate by DOS

in 2010 was estimated at 11.89 percent while unofficial estimates put the overall jobless rate at

30 percent. Even at an official rate of 15 percent, Ma‘an is the leading government in

unemployment. Mafraq‘s rate is close to the national official rate of unemployment. The recently

conducted socioeconomic assessment by MOPIC showed that people searching for jobs in the

two governorates are uneducated people who do not have any kind of qualifications or vocational

training. The study found that the majority of the population relies on governmental jobs, trade,

simple car maintenance and herding sheep. The study states that the unemployment rate in Ar-

Ruwaished was 25 percent compared to 11.8 percent at the Kingdom‘s level and 11.9 percent at

the governorate level. The study concluded that the reluctance of national labor to hold certain

jobs is due to several reasons, the most important of which is the culture of shame, lack of

training and qualifications, and the fact that these job are limited to persons who came from other

parts of the Kingdom.

57

Table 5: Jordanian Population Age 15+ Years by Activity Status, Urban-Rural,

Governorate & Gender (Percentage Distribution) (Source: DOS, Statistical year book 2010)

Total Employed Unemployed

JORDAN - Total 35920 100 39 34.4 4.6 61 39 11.8

Male 18141 100 63.2 56.9 6.3 36.8 63.2 10

Female 17779 100 14.3 11.4 2.9 85.7 14.3 20.1

Mafraq

Total 1595 100 36.4 32.3 4.1 63.6 36.4 11.4

Male 802 100 60.8 54.6 6.2 39.2 60.8 10.2

Female 793 100 11.7 9.7 2 88.3 11.7 17.2

Maan

Total 662 100 43.7 36.9 6.8 56.3 43.7 15.6

Male 343 100 67.3 58 9.3 32.7 67.3 13.9

Female 319 100 18.2 14.1 4.1 81.8 18.2 22.4

Total Percent

Economically Active

Grand Total

Not

Economically

activite rate

Refined

Economic

activity rate

Unemployment

rate

Economic activities (Non-agricultural)

Economic development at the macro or the micro level is highly correlated with the level of

services provided by the government institutions and other associated organizations to its

residents and businesses. These provided economic development services should be aiming at

creating prosperity through increasing business activities, employment, attracting investments

and connecting the local communities with others through a responsible planning vision. An

important part of these services is also considered a Human Asset.

The three targeted communities, as poverty pockets, lack much of economic development

services aiming at providing the enabling environment to attract businesses and investments. The

most recent socioeconomic surveys conducted in the three communities showed that all

economic activities are centered on employment provided by the government and military

institutions. This fact affected the economic vision of these communities and made them believe

that jobs provided by civil and military institutions are the only guaranteed and successful

investment in their areas and there is no point in engaging in any other activity. Much of the

limited economic development services are provided by the municipalities in terms of licensing

grocery stores, machine shops, restaurants, telecommunications services, barber shops, bakeries,

ironsmith and computer centers. The modest trade activities of these communities usually rely on

trade with their governorates centers in Ma‘an and Mafraq.

Agricultural economic activities

There is a Directorate of Agriculture in Ar Ruwaished under the name of the Development

Directorate of Northern-Eastern Badia. The directorate provides many services to agricultural

operators in the region that includes: providing veterinary services to livestock owners, operating

and maintaining the ten artesian wells used mainly to water sheep and goats herders for free,

58

monitoring the earth dams and hafir in the region and maintaining the different rangeland

reserves through monitoring and seeding. In the southern Badia, there is a liaison office under Al

Sharah agricultural region. There are two active NCARE offices in Al Husseinieh and in Al Jafr.

The offices offer agricultural advice, irrigation (chemical spraying) services for farmers and

animal care. There is also a special center to distribute feeds and there is also a veterinary clinic

attended by Dr. Veterinarian twice a week.

Livestock activities

The three communities, especially Ar Ruwaished, rely on their livelihood on livestock

production as the main economic activity. As indicated in table 6 the governorate of Mafraq

holds 25 percent and 10 percent of the total number of sheep and goat, respectively. The

governorate of Ma‘an holds 11 percent and 7 percent of the total sheep and goat number in

Jordan, respectively. These numbers justify the intension of the project in protecting the

rangelands and constructing water harvesting facilities to improve the livelihood of the targeted

communities.

Table 6: Number of Sheep, Goats and Cattle by Governorates as of 1/11/2010

(Source: DOS, Statistical year book, 2011)

Governorate Number on 1/11/2010

Sheep

percent Goats

percent Cattle

percent Total 2,175,680 100

percent 751,730 100

percent 65,390 100

percent Amman 400,590 18

percent

103,600 14

percent

6,730 10

percent Balqa 148,370 7

percent 82,310 11

percent 3,040 5

percent Zarqa 129,770 6

percent 41,790 6

percent 25,180 39

percent Madaba 145,120 7

percent 53,440 7

percent 630 1

percent Irbid 192,480 9

percent 48,940 7

percent 15,080 23

percent Mafraq 543,260 25

percent 80,240 11

percent 11,810 18

percent Jarash 5,360 0

percent 20,650 3

percent 1,650 3

percent Ajloun 20,440 1

percent 49,820 7

percent 660 1

percent Karak 333,830 15

percent

116,840 16

percent

360 1

percent Tafilah 91,060 4

percent

36,210 5

percent

180 0

percent Ma'an 152,540 7

percent 77,550 10

percent 60 0

percent Aqaba 12,870 1

percent 40,340 5

percent 10 0

percent

Plant Production activities

All productive assets do not belong to the targeted communities. Recent figures obtained from

MOA annual statistical book indicate the following:

59

Al Husseinieh:

935 dunum of irrigated olive trees produced a sum of 198 tons of olive fruits. The fruits

produced a sum of 26 tons of olive oil.

12,477 dunum cultivated in cereal grain of which 3,370 under irrigation and the

remaining 9,107 under rainfed conditions. Production from the cultivated area resulted in

3,488 tons

50 dunum of table grapes, mainly under irrigation, produced a sum of 15 tons of fresh

grapes

400 dunum of irrigated vegetables (cultivated all in tomatoes) produced a sum of 125

tons

No plastic houses in the province

Al Jafr:

The most recent data obtained from Ma‘an directorate of agriculture shows that the total

cultivated area for the year 2008 was 50,650 dunum distributed as follows:

1740 dunum of irrigated winter cereals

5725 dunum of irrigated clover

23630 dunum of irrigated summer vegetable crops

12879 dunum of irrigated winter vegetable crops

2450 dunum of irrigated olive trees

542 dunum of irrigated grape trees

3684 dunum of irrigated different types of trees

Rangelands activities

The directorate of forestry and rangelands at the MOA established several rangelands reserves as

part of the national plan to protect, rehabilitate and establish new rangelands reserves in Jordan.

Tables 7 and 8 show the existing rangelands reserves in Ma‘an governorate and in Ar Ruwaished

district in Mafraq. The shaded rows in table 8 show the closest reserves to the targeted

communities.

Table 7: Area and Year of Establishment of Rangeland Reserves in Ma’an Governorate

(Source: ADD)

Reserve's name Year of establishment Total Area (dunum)

Al-Fjaj 8591 81111

Al-Manshiah 8591 0111

Al-Aeshyia 8518 81111

Raas Al Naqab 8519 82111

Al - Mudawara 8552 21111

Al Huessienieh 2110 89111

Al-Hashmieh 2110 89111

Total (dunum) 85,000

60

Table 8 shows that the total area of reserves in Ar Ruwaished is 300 thousand dunum distributed

over 5 reserves. The largest is Al-Ruggban reserve. The local community relies on these reserves

and on the subsidized animal feed provided by the government.

Table 8: Area and Year of Establishment of Rangeland Reserves in Ar Ruwaished (Source:

ADD)

Reserve's name Year of establishment Total Area (dunum)

Al-Bustaneh 8559 89111

Al-Kassab 8559 89111

Al-Ruggban 8551 211111

Manshiat Al-Gayath 8555 91111

Hadallat 2111 21111

Total 033333

61

POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS AND

MITIGATION MEASURES

The project will be highly positive from an environmental standpoint if implemented as planned,

as the project is designed to provide economic, social, and environmental benefits to

communities in the three selected poverty pockets of the Jordan Badia.

Specifically, the project will be implemented in two geographic areas of the Jordan Badia, the

north and the south, with two distinct sets of activities: (i) the promotion of community-centered

ecotourism in the northern Badia through the establishment of the Al Azraq/Shaumari-Burqu‗

ecotourism corridor; and (ii) piloting of a bottom-up sustainable rangeland management and

support to livelihoods in the southern Badia including through the establishment of water

collection structures and rangeland reserves and alternative livelihoods support activities which

also target women and youth. Project design also includes the training of communities in

ecotourism services as well as the establishment or reinforcement of community cooperatives

and organizations to become engaged in rangeland management and complementary income

generating activities. Project interventions engage communities directly in the design and

implementation of a more sustainable management of the natural resources they depend upon.

Specifically, project activities would increase the contribution of biodiversity to community

incomes and strengthen the flow of ecosystem services in the Badia to production sectors.

By its nature, the BELP is expected to result in positive impacts on the environment and living

conditions of targeted beneficiaries, in general. It is also expected that any potential negative

environmental impacts will be minor, temporary, and site-specific in nature and can be mitigated

by implementation of the ESMP. An Environmental Management Plan specific to the ecotourism

interventions of Component 1 should be undertaken before implementation of investments.

Potential negative impacts resulting from project activities and corresponding mitigation

measures as identified by the ESIA are presented in table 9 below.

62

Table 9: Potential Project Impact and Mitigation Measures Impact Mitigation Measures

Impacts on air quality and noise from the construction

of the ecolodge and of the hafirs: mainly from

excavation, drilling, site clearance, vehicle loading and

unloading, and other construction-related activities.

(i) Covering waste disposal trucks with tarpaulins during

transportation and limiting travel speed; (ii) Ensuring that

vehicles and machinery comply with Jordanian emission

standards; (iii) Maintaining construction activity noise levels

below Jordanian standard; (iv) Respecting Ambient Air Quality

limits; (iii) Providing personnel and workers operating on site

with hearing and breathing protection gear.

Impacts on air quality and noise from the operation of

the ecolodge: mainly from the burning of fossil fuels

for heating and cooking, and the operation of vehicles,

such as trucks for water supply, solid waste collection,

and sewage water collection.

(i) Utilizing solar water heating and photovoltaics for lighting

(as appropriate); (ii) Using animals for transportation to reducing

dependency on vehicles for service; (iii) Finding alternative

water sources or recycling options to reduce dependency on

water supply trucks; (iv) Adopting composting and recycling

practices to reduce the reduced the need for waste collection

vehicles.

Occupational Health and Safety risks from the

construction of the ecolodge and hafirs: mainly eye and

respiratory risks, physical injuries, and overexposure of

workers to sunlight, dust and noise.

(i) Complying with Jordanian Rules and Regulations on

Occupational Health and Safety; (ii) Providing protective gear

for workers including helmets, boots, gloves, masks, and

earplugs; (iii) Providing first aid kits at work sites and necessary

information and training on rescue and emergency response

procedures; (iv) Prohibiting admission of children, guests, or

dependents of legal employees or underage workers to

construction site.

Occupational Health and Safety risks from the

operation of the ecolodge

(i) Providing fire extinguishers and first-aid kits in the ecolodge

and camp sites, as well as access plan to emergency services; (ii)

Developing an operational manual for facilities management.

Impacts on soils from the construction of the ecolodge:

mainly the production of loose soil and sand as a result

of excavation and site clearance, which could be

increase erosion.

(i) Using excavated soil as back filling or removing it from site

immediately after excavation; (ii) Ensuring proper location and

covering by tarpaulin of excavated soil remaining temporarily on

site; (iii) Avoiding construction during periods of anticipated

rainfall to prevent any soil erosion.

63

Impacts on soils from the operation of the ecolodge:

mainly soil compaction (and reduced vegetation) from

vehicles (water trucks, sewage water collection trucks,

and solid waste collection trucks).

Using existing paths for transportation and avoiding the creation

of new routes that would disrupt vegetation, wildlife and

compact soils.

Production and disposal of solid wastes generated by

construction of ecolodge and hafirs.

(i) Designating a suitable location for the safe storage of

construction waste onsite (void of vegetation and natural habitats

and outside depressions and surface water drainage); (ii)

Covering onsite wastes with tarpaulin; (iii) Carting wastes away

by the contractor from the onsite storage location to an outside

location identified by for filling purposes; (iv) preparing and

implementing a solid waste management disposal plan for the

site.

Production and disposal of solid wastes generated by

operation of the ecolodge and the campsites.

(i) Identifying, sorting and storing wastes, including designated

spaces for paper, glass, aluminum, steel and plastics and other

recyclables; (ii) Adopting a garbage prevention strategy,

including use of biodegradable products and composting

methods; (iii) Preparing and implementing a solid waste

management disposal plan.

Production and disposal of sewage wastes generated by

construction and operation of the ecolodge and the

campsites.

(i) Using of composting toilets not flush toilets or best relevant

option; (ii) Using biological treatment technologies for sewage

waste and wastewater that does not involve land disposal; (iii)

Using pit latrines during the construction stage of the ecolodge

and for the mobile camp sites (located away from runoff areas,

depressions, or water sources); (iv) Using eco-friendly portable

WCs in the permanent campsites as per RSCN‘s experience.

RSCN will use good practice measures building from its

experience.

The transport of tourists along the corridor and in the

Burqu‘ nature reserve.

Designated trails within the reserves (for biking, hiking and

camel riding) will be indicated, with monitoring by guides and

rangers. In terms of vehicle entrance into Burqu‘, only RSCN

vehicles would move tourists in/out and around the reserve,

along designated trails. This will be made clear in the ETDP.

The hydrological functioning of watersheds for the A hydrological and geological survey will identify different

64

construction of the hafirs: mainly impacts on impact

watershed drainage patterns, as well sedimentation of

the hafir itself.

parameters like peak flow, possible quantity and quality of raw

water, soil analysis to identify the type of soil of the proposed

hafir site, and types and locations of other locally available

construction materials, etc.

The risk of further overgrazing and degradation of

vegetation cover and of the rangeland in general.

Rangeland reserves will include contour bunding for water

conservation, and will be replanted with palatable and nutritious

indigenous drought-resistant species (e.g., atriplex sp. and g.

Saxola) over 25 percent of the reserve‘s area. The reserves will

be set-aside for a period of two years to allow regeneration and

growing.

Impact on Physical Cultural Resources (OP 4.11) and

chance finds during the construction of ecolodge,

establishment of trails, campsite, and construction of

hafirs

(i) General interest area for the location of the hafirs will be

determined in collaboration with communities and also taking

into account results from a geological/hydrological/topographic

study, (ii) If any chance finds are encountered during

implementation, the government‘s national procedures will be

applicable and the national procedures for archaeological chance

finds will be followed during implementation, and (iii) OP 4.11

will be considered during the preparation of the ETDP and EMP

(under component 1)

Impact on Natural Habitats (OP 4.04) as a result of

project activities: camel and hiking trails, campsites,

and ecolodge (Component 1)

(i) OP 4.04 on Natural Habitats will be covered under the scope

of OP 4.01 on Environmental Assessment, (ii) With regards to

citing of ecotourism related activities along the corridor (e.g.

camel and hiking trails, campsites, ecolodge, etc.), an

Ecotourism Development Plan (ETDP) will be developed during

the first year of the project by RSCN that will include a baseline

ecological study that will define areas for ecotourism

interventions taking into account environmental considerations.

The study will determine the conservation value of the area and

the relative importance of different habitats or parts of the site

and individual species. It will also explore the relative

sensitivity/value of different ecotourism areas in terms of nature

conservation, landscape, archaeology and cultural interests.

Based on the results of the study, in the event any ‗core

65

conservation or wilderness area‘ is identified (ecologically

valuable areas), the project will exclude this area and include

only those areas suitable for tourism and as informed by the

study, (iii) RSCN to undertake an EMP specific to the proposed

10-12 room ecolodge, (iv) Communities living in Ar Ruwaished

and other smaller villages close to Burqu‘ as well as some along

the corridor will be consulted with and engaged in the planning

and development of any ecotourism activities. Attention will be

paid to increasing the awareness of the population about the

potential fragility of the local environmental resources, and the

project will continue through its lifespan to actively engage with

the communities.

66

GENDER ISSUES

Background

Gender equality is a necessary condition for human development. It is also a fundamental

objective in the fight against poverty. Women and men play different roles and have different

responsibilities in their families, communities and societies. Understanding these differences is

vital when developing policies, programs and projects meant to improve peoples‘ livelihoods.

For many years, national and international projects and efforts have been implemented in Jordan

aiming to reduce the gap between women and men, and provide women with efficient training

and information.

Jordan is transitioning into a modern state; gender imbalances and an uneven socioeconomic

development are common feature of societies in transition. Nonetheless, the Jordanian society

has made important advances in education with the highest literacy rates for women in MENA

countries (85.9 percent) (Hendessi, 2007). Jordan enjoys gender parity in education enrolment

due to human resource investment as part of an extensive reform initiative by the state in the last

three decades. At the same time, the gender gap in tertiary completion rate in education is still a

cause for concern; the female rate is a third of that of the male – the lowest in MENA countries.

In addition, private enterprise in Jordan is male-dominated and women‘s entrepreneurship is

markedly underdeveloped, marginalized and under-valued, as it mainly operates along traditional

gender roles; 90 percent of all businesses in Jordan are owned by men and women only account

for 4 percent of all entrepreneurs in the formal sector– one of the lowest in the MENA region.

Three-quarters of women‘s businesses are home-based and represent a narrow range of

traditionally female skills, such as sewing, embroidery, production of other handicrafts,

provision of beauty services and commercial trade in groceries or clothing.

Gender Analysis

DOS‘s surveys indicate that in the Mafraq governorate in 2010 the unemployment rate for

female youth (age 15-24) was 55 percent while the rate for all females aged 15 and above was 23

percent. Of the employed females, 8 percent worked in industry, 2 percent worked in agriculture

and 71 percent worked in services. Only 17.3 percent of land and 19.1 percent of flats were

owned by women. Although the illiteracy rate was low for both men and women 15 years and

older, it was higher for females.

Table 10: Education Status in Mafraq in 2010 (Source: Ministry of Education, 2010)

Education (%)

Indicator Gender Gap Gender

Male Female

Illiteracy Rate (Population Age15+)** -10.7 8.1 18.8

Children in Kindergarten 2.8 51.4 48.6

Students in Basic Education 4.6 52.3 47.7

Students in Secondary Education -1.8 49.1 50.9

Students in Vocational (Industrial) Education 100 100 0

Students in Vocational (Agricultural) Education 12.6 56.3 43.7

67

**Employment and Unemployment Survey, DOS 2010

In Ma‘an governorate in 2010, the unemployment rate for female youth was 56 percent and the

rate for all females age 15 and above was 26 percent. Of the employed females, 3 percent 14.2

percent of land and 15.3 percent of flats were owned by women. Although the illiteracy rate was

low for both men and women 15 years and older, it was higher for females.

Table 11. Education Status in Ma’an in 2010 (Source: Ministry of Education, 2010)

Education (%)

Indicator Gender Gap Gender

Male Female

Illiteracy Rate (Population Age15+)** -11.7 7.5 19.2

Children in Kindergarten -1.6 49.2 50.8

Students in Basic Education 3.6 51.8 48.2

Students in Secondary Education -6.2 46.9 53.1

Students in Vocational (Industrial) Education 100 100 0

Students in Vocational (Agricultural) Education 100 100 0

**Employment and Unemployment Survey, DOS 2010

Gender at the Household Level

The Jordanian rural household is a complex and dynamic social entity which may change its

composition and goals over time as family members and dependents of varying age groups and

genders engage in various activities to meet the specific responsibilities assigned to each.

However, while it is useful to draw attention to the fact that the distribution of labor along gender

lines is a social and economic dimension, such division is not clearly adapted in equal terms.

Typically, females in Jordan are responsible for most tasks related to the household while males

share little to none of the responsibilities due to their perceived superiority.

Opportunities for Women Empowerment

The rapidly changing climate, increased variability in rainfall, water shortage, and the poor

management of natural resources have affected farming practices and put a threat on community

livelihoods in the Badia. Women can play an important role in the preservation of historic agro-

biodiversity and water management knowledge that may help reduce their level of poverty by

better managing natural resources.

Despite the somewhat good participation of women in local councils acknowledgement of

women‘s needs and interests should be integrated in any activity or project; national agricultural

and environmental strategies should encourage women‘s‘ participation and involvement The

following are some suggestions in that line:

1. Conduct additional gender-sensitizing programs for policy makers and project implementers;

2. Collect gender-disaggregated data on rural and agricultural activities;

3. Encourage a more participatory approach, particularly involving more rural women;

4. Ensure equitable access to productive resources and extension services;

68

5. Design situation-specific implementation strategies, taking into account the unique socio-

cultural and ecological variations of each area.

Training Programs for Women

Capacity building and training is a field that is not well adapted to women. The following

suggestions are made for improving and redesigning training programs for farming women:

1. Adapt programs to women‘s needs and skills;

2. Allow sufficient time to enable women to acquire new skills and adjust schedules to fit

women‘s existing workloads;

3. Provide training in agricultural and other productive activities, not only home and family

welfare topics;

4. Emphasize activities for which there is an actual income-generation potential;

6. Ensure the involvement and full participation of women from poorer and less educated

backgrounds;

7. Use trainers who are not only technically competent and up-to-date, but who empathize with

the needs and aspirations of rural women;

8. Provide practical field experience in the use of innovations;

9. Shift more resources to village-based training rather than residential training.

Rural women in developing countries possess skills and techniques which are assets to the

development process. Where groups already exist, capacity building of existing groups can be

more successful than forming a new group to which members are less likely to be committed.

For example, instead of forming entirely new groups for women, local informal group or

committees could be strengthened through short training exercises on farm bookkeeping and

record-keeping, leadership, participation and democratic procedures. Similarly, rural people are

less likely to resist adoption of an innovation when the new technique is based upon a concept or

procedure they are already familiar with or are currently using. During the initiation and

development of projects it is important to get acquainted with the organizations and knowledge

systems available at the local level to determine how they can be improved.

69

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

The ESMP was produced based on the findings of the ESIA. The ESMP includes potential

environmental and social impacts and recommends mitigation measures for all project

components. The ESMP aims to:

vi. Ensure that the project complies with national legal requirements and environmental and

social World Bank procedures;

vii. Specify the criteria for environmental and social analysis of investments financed under

the BELP;

viii. Provide options to prevent, minimize or mitigate the risks and potential negative impacts



ix. Provide an assessment of training needs and capacity building for various stakeholders in


x. Describe the procedures and responsibilities for monitoring the impacts of the project,

reporting to the World Bank and implementing the ESMP; and

xi. Include chance-finds procedures as relevant.

NCARE, the BELP Implementing Agency, has strong technical capacity and previous

experience with implementing Bank/GEF projects, and it is expected that the PMU will be able

to ensure compliance with safeguard policies. Additional training and capacity strengthening will

need to be undertaken as necessary by the project at both the PMU level (M&E specialist on

Bank safeguard policies and on the requirements for monitoring and reporting), and by the

implementing agency and contractors (NCARE, RSCN and HFDJB) and community level

(specifically in the areas of ecotourism development and rangeland management, chance-finds

procedures, etc.).

The implementation of the environmental and social measures of the ESMP should be monitored

by the PMU since all environmental and social actions are linked to project components and to

their performance indicators. The M&E specialist within the PMU, who will be responsible for

monitoring overall progress and evaluating project performance, will also be in charge of

monitoring and evaluating safeguard compliance with the ESMP. The PMU will include a

section on safeguards compliance in each progress report which will be submitted to the SC and

the WB, with input from RSCN, NCARE and HFDJB. In addition, relevant consultants will be

hired by the PMU for ensuring compliance with safeguards, and for reporting on compliance, if

necessary.

As mitigation measures must be taken into account in the project design and costs, the ESMP

does not need a separate budget allocation. However, it is imperative that activities‘ costs reflect

the incremental effort necessary to fully implement the ESMP.

The following tables outline the project ESMP:

70

Table 12. Environmental Management Plan

Mitigation

Aspects


Methods

Responsibility for

Implementation

of Mitigation

Responsibility

for

Monitoring

Monitoring

Frequency

Al Azraq/Shaumari-Burqu‘ ecotourism corridor – Ecolodge

Preservation of





during construction activities

Field

observations

Contractor during

ecolodge

construction

RSCN Ongoing

Conservation of

archaeological

and cultural

resources

Construction Phase:


EMP

Framework of ETDP

Routine inspections


and tourists

Field

observations

PMU RSCN Ongoing

Preservation of















Operational Phase:


Framework of ETDP

Routine inspections


and tourists

Field

observations

PMU RSCN Ongoing

Reduce

emissions, dust,

and suppression

of noise

Construction Phase:

Covering waste disposal trucks with tarpaulins

Ensuring that vehicles and machinery should comply with emission

standards.

Construction activity noise levels will be maintained below limits.

Personnel and workers operating on site will be equipped with


Operation Phase:

Dependency on non-renewable energy sources will be reduced by

adopting solar water heating and photovoltaics for lighting, as

relevant.

Dependency on vehicles for service will be reduced by possibly

depending on animals for transportation of waste, and also by finding

readily available water source instead of truck supply.

Adopting composting practices to reduce the amount of solid waste



Dust clouds within

construction site and

road/path leading to it.

Dust deposition on vegetation

and rocks

Loud noise can be heard from

a distance

Ground vibration due to

machinery and vehicles

Change in natural habitats

within ecolodge surroundings

Monitoring

devices to ensure

compliance of

noise and

emissions

Field

observations

Interaction with

local community:

use indigenous

knowledge to

understand

impact on

wildlife

Contractor during

ecolodge

construction

PMU during

operation phase

RSCN Ongoing

71

produced and reduce the need for waste collection vehicles.

Occupational

Health and

Safety

Construction Phase:

Compliance with General rules and regulations on Occupational

Health and Safety.

Provision of protective gear for workers including helmets, boots,

gloves, masks, and earplugs.

Provision of first aid kit at work sites and necessary information on

rescue during emergency.

Prohibiting admission of children, guests, or dependents of legal

employees or underage workers to construction site.

Provision of appropriate training and emergency response

procedures.

Operation Phase:

Provision of fire extinguishers and first-aid kits in the ecolodge and

camp sites.

An operational manual will also be developed for the building

facilities management.

Complaints from laborers,

occupants, and local

community

Number of incidents/accidents

Adoption level of OHS

Construction site

inspection

Review of

incidents records

Contractor during

ecolodge

construction

PMU during

operation phase

RSCN Ongoing

Solid Waste

Management Construction Phase:

Construction waste will be stored and disposed of in an

environmentally safe manner.

A suitable location will be designated for the safe storage of

construction waste onsite. The designated location should be void of

vegetation, natural habitats, and distant from depressions or surface

drainage.

Onsite waste shall be covered with tarpaulin to prevent dust clouds

from forming.

Waste will be carted away from the onsite storage location to a

location identified by for filling purposes.

Solid waste from the labor camp will be stored in bins and collected

as part of the local community‘s solid waste management disposal

plan.

Operation Phase:

Wastes produced should be properly identified and adequate sorting

and storage space should be provided.

Spaces should be designated for on-site separation for paper, glass,

aluminum, steel and plastics.

Processes of waste collection and transportation offsite should be

well designed.

Adopting a garbage prevention strategy: everything brought into the

facility should be recycled for reuse or recycled back into the

environment through biodegradation.

Final disposal of waste through landfills (as relevant) should be

conducted in an environmentally safe manner. Landfill should be



Construction site

inspection

Contractor during

ecolodge

construction

PMU during

operation phase

RSCN Weekly

during

construction

phase

72

remote from population and properly designed in accordance with

global and national specifications.

Organic waste should be composted as part of the recycling strategy,

as relevant.

Sewage Waste

Management Operation Phase: (RSCN to adopt best practice from prior

experience)

Adopting composting strategy of solid sewage waste and use

compost for greenery

Use of composting toilets not flush toilets.

Recommended use of biological treatment technologies of sewage

waste that does not involve land disposal.

Recommended use of biological systems to purify wastewater.

Recommended use of pit latrines during the construction stage of the

ecolodge and in the remote camping areas. Pit latrines should not be

located in runoff areas, in depression, or near water resources.

Construction specifications

and infrastructure design

Review of tender

and contractor bid

documents

Ecolodge site

inspection

PMU RSCN Annually

Soil protection

and prevention

of compaction

Construction Phase:

Soil removed through excavation should be used as back filling or

immediately removed from the project.

Any excavated soil remaining temporarily on site should be placed in

proper location (void of vegetation, habitats, and distant from

waterways) and covered using tarpaulin.

Construction should be avoided during periods of anticipated rainfall

to prevent any soil erosion.

Occupational health measures should be taken and personnel should

be equipped with breathing masks and other protective measures.

Operation Phase:

Use of existing paths for transportation and avoiding the creation of

new routes that would disrupt vegetation, wildlife and compact soils.

Limit the use of vehicles in the region to reduce soil compaction and

ecosystem disruption.

Set limits to where vehicles may reach.

Reduce dependency on vehicles for services

Indication of rill or inter-rill

erosion

Soil compaction during

construction or operation

Disruption of vegetation and

wildlife

Field

observations

Complaints from

local community

Contractor during

ecolodge

construction

PMU during

operation phase

PMU Weekly

during

construction

phase and

periodically

during project

operation

Al Azraq/Shaumari-Burqu‘ ecotourism corridor – Campsites/trails

Preservation of

chance finds In the event of chance finds, national legislations pertaining to



during ecotourism activities

Field

observations

PMU RSCN Ongoing

Conservation of

archaeological

and cultural

resources


EMP

Routine inspections


and tourists

Field

observations

PMU RSCN Ongoing

Preservation of




Framework of ETDP

Routine inspections


Field

observations

PMU RSCN Ongoing

73












Operational Phase:


and tourists

Sanitary

facilities

management

Dry toilet pits emptied as required or filled with inert local material

when full and allowed to decompose

Periodic inspections made for leakages.


Field inspection

Field

observations

PMU RSCN Ongoing

Waste

management

Collection of solid waste onsite

Constant removal of waste from campsite


Field inspection

Field

observations

PMU RSCN Ongoing as

required

Reduce local

water

consumption

Use of water conservation devices

Promote water conservation among tourists

Develop management ethos to conserve water


community

Inspections

Monitoring of

water

consumption

PMU RSCN Ongoing as

required

Reduce impact

of bike/camel

trails

Bike, camel, foot, or vehicle traffic will be carefully controlled with

user limits defined and enforced for each category and route


community and tourists

Field

observations

PMU RSCN Ongoing

Water harvesting structures – Hafirs

Preservation of





during construction of hafirs

Field

observations

Contractor during

hafir construction

PMU Ongoing

Conservation of

archaeological

and cultural

resources



results from a geological/hydrological/topographic study.

Field observations Field

observations

NCARE and

HFDJB

PMU Ongoing

Preservation of




results from a geological/hydrological/topographic study

Operational Phase:


Routine inspections


and tourists

Field

observations

NCARE and

HFDJB

PMU Ongoing

Control

sedimentation

Periodical excavation Reduction in storage capacity Field

observations

NCARE PMU Annually or

as required

74

Reduce

consumption of

water

Promote awareness among local community on water conservation Reduction in storage capacity Field

observations

NCARE PMU Annually

Evaporation Implement water conservation measures

Promote awareness among local community on water conservation

Reduction in storage capacity Field

observations

NCARE PMU Annually

Reduce animal

disease incidents Monitoring of disease incidents in the area

Periodic inspection of livestock


community

Documenting of

disease

incidences

NCARE PMU Annually

Intermittent

damages are not

repaired or

rehabilitated on

time, weakening

the structural

system

Implementation of maintenance and repair measures

Allocate budget for maintenance and repair (MOA)

Periodic inspections and checkups on hafirs

Reduction in storage capacity


community

Field inspection

Feedback from

local community

NCARE/MOA PMU Annually or

as required

Preventing

pollution of

water structures

Identifying pollution sources

Implementation of pollution prevention measures

Promote awareness among local community on pollution prevention


community

Field inspection

Feedback from

local community

Contractor during

hafir construction PMU Annually

Groundwater

contamination Proper gravel pack and head work construction. Avoid siting sanitary

facilities close to hafirs Change of water quality

Observation of

groundwater

Contractor during


Annually or

as required

Maintaining

water quality Eliminate sources impacting water quality Change of water quality

Observation of

groundwater

Contractor during


Annually

Reducing

impact from

livestock routes Identify and limit routes used by livestock for access to hafir Change in flora and fauna

Field

observations NCARE PMU

Monthly

Accidents Place caution signs to prevent accidents



community

Field

observations PMU PMU

Monthly

Soil erosion

Avoid slope areas exposed for erosion.

Drilling and other works should not be executed under aggressive

weather conditions (rains, strong winds)

Change of water quality

Field


Crop-livestock

conflict Establish livestock routes to and from water points/haffir


community

Field


Rangeland Reserves

Unauthorized

access during

regeneration

period

Promote awareness among local community on importance of


Continuous inspections and visits to ensure no trespassing


vegetation


community

Field

observations

HFDJB and

NCARE PMU Ongoing

75

Overgrazing Promote awareness among local community on importance of


Continuous monitoring and inspection of rangeland reserves


vegetation


community

Field

observations

HFDJB and

NCARE PMU Ongoing

Prolonged

droughts Prohibit access to rangeland reserves to promote vegetation



vegetation


community

Field

observations

HFDJB, NCARE

and community PMU Annually

Table 13. Social Management Plan

Mitigation

Aspects


Methods

Responsibility for

Implementation

of Mitigation

Responsibility

for

Monitoring

Monitoring

Frequency

Al Azraq/Shaumari-Burqu‘ ecotourism corridor – CONSTRUCTION PHASE

Obtaining

community

approval over

ecolodge

location and

encouraging

community

participation

Increase awareness among community about the benefits of the

ecolodge




location of ecolodge



location

Meetings with

community

members and local

organizations

RSCN PMU Design phase

Water harvesting structures - CONSTRUCTION PHASE

Community

discontent over

hafir location


organizations


location of hafirs



location

Meetings with

community

members and local

organizations

HFDJB and

NCARE

PMU Design phase

Rangeland Reserves - CONSTRUCTION PHASE

Community

discontent over

rangeland

locations


organizations


location of hafirs



location

Meetings with

community

members and local

organizations

HFDJB and

NCARE

PMU Design phase

Al Azraq/Shaumari-Burqu‘ ecotourism corridor – OPERATION PHASE

Involve

community

members in

project activities

of ecolodge,

campsites,trails




Poor community

involvement

Meetings with

community

members and local

organizations

RSCN PMU Monthly or as

relevant

Water harvesting structures – OPERATION PHASE

76

Conflict

resolution over

water

allocation/hafir


concerning water allocation and usage

Complaints from

community members

Conflicts within community

Meetings with tribal

leaders, community

members and local

organizations

HFDJB PMU Annually

Community

involvement in

maintenance and

operation





contribution

Deterioration of structures

Field observations NCARE PMU Annually

Rangeland Reserves - OPERATION PHASE

Stopping

unauthorized

access during

regeneration

period





reserves

Inspection of

vegetation at

rangeland reserve

NCARE PMU Ongoing

Prevent

overgrazing Involve local organizations and tribal leaders in decision making




reserves

Inspection of

vegetation at

rangeland reserve

HFDJB,

NCARE and

community

PMU Ongoing

Conflict

resolution over

rangeland usage



reserves

Inspection of

vegetation at

rangeland reserve

HFDJB PMU Ongoing or as

required

Maintaining and enhancing livelihoods in pilot communities

Community

involvement

Increase awareness among community about the benefits of

participation



Presenting successful cases to the local community


involvement

Absence of

community

involvement

HFDJB PMU Ongoing

77

CONSULTATION REPORT

Objectives

This chapter describes the outcomes of the public consultation sessions held with the different

stakeholder groups that may be impacted by the project. OP 4.01 requires that for all Category A

and B projects the recipient country consults project-affected groups and local NGOs about the

project‘s environmental aspects, and takes their views into account. The objectives of this

process were to:

Share information with stakeholders on the proposed project and the expected impact on

the physical, biological and socioeconomic environment

Understand stakeholders‘ concerns regarding various aspects of the project and the likely

impact.

Consultations

Consultation meetings were held with:

Representatives of HFDJB, NCARE, MOPIC and RSCN (including Wild Jordan)

Local community members in Mafraq and Ma‘an governorates

The first meeting was held on March 26, 2012 in Manshieh Al-Ghayath, near Ar-Ruwaished.

The meeting was attended by local community members, including the head of a local

community organization, members from RSCN, and Janna Company team members. Since the

proposed ecotourism corridor will extend through state-owned land, which is widely treated as

open use land, consultations with the community were essential to explain the concept and

objectives of the project. The attitude towards the ecotourism corridor was positive and the local

community members had high hopes for job creation in their poverty struck region.

Many of the young men in the area were unemployed and most had abandoned their traditional

craft of livestock herding. The men met indicated that they had been in drought for years now

and this had left little rangeland for their sheep. Additionally, the prices of feed had soared and

they could no longer maintain their livestock. Many had to sell their possession of sheep leaving

them with little work they could do. They expressed their acceptance for efforts being made to

enhance job employment and revenue generation for the local community. On the other hand,

they had their own reservations on many of the projects that were previously implemented in the

area, from which they have seen little benefit. For example, they had received feed as part of a

compensation program, which they did benefit from, but since it was short-lived they could not

sustain their livestock for long. They expressed their longing for projects that would sustain their

livelihoods, and that would offer them long-term job opportunities.

A second meeting was held in Al Husseinieh at the office of the Administrative Governor on

March 28, 2012. The meeting was attended by several people from the local community,

including the Administrative Governor, an agricultural engineer representative from the Ministry

of Agriculture/Ma‘an branch, two heads of local community organizations, and local community

members. A discussion about the proposed project, importance of water harvesting and the

potential locations was held. Most of the attendees in the meeting were aware of the proposed

project from a previous meeting with the socioeconomic assessment consultant. The local

78

community members pointed out that several hafirs had already been constructed in Al

Husseinieh. They also mentioned that these hafirs were constructed for different purposes. For

instance, one hafir was established for groundwater recharge. Also, they had concerns about the

location of a couple of the existing hafirs in the region because these hafirs did not collect as

much water as anticipated. Therefore, they were very keen to be consulted about the location of

the new hafirs before they are established. This emphasizes the need for a participatory approach

when water harvesting projects are implemented. All the local people consulted along with the

agricultural engineer agreed that the new water harvesting hafir should be established near the

wadi of Tal Burma hill. The main reasons (according to the local community members) for this

selection were two folds: 1) the amount of collected water is expected to be large because many

wadis drain through this place; 2) the place is easier to construct because it is surrounded by

rocks.

In the meeting, the head of a local community organization gave a short brief about Tal Burma

Project (within the Al Husseinieh) where 100 ha of alfalfa have been irrigated with groundwater

resulting in significant waste of groundwater. The main cause of water loss is the use of surface

irrigation to irrigate the alfalfa. The person knew the importance of using more modern irrigation

systems to save water but could not afford doing it without financial help. The project and the

waste of fresh groundwater have been going on for a number of years now. The consultant

visited the Tal Burma Project at the same day. The visit was accompanied by several people

from the local community, the agricultural engineer from the Ministry of Agriculture/Ma‘an

branch and the head of the local community organization mentioned above. During the visit the

loss of fresh water due to the use of surface irrigation and the poor uniformity of water

application was visible. Using a proper irrigation system will enhance water productivity by

saving water and increasing yields. The project-funded hafir held some water but no pumping

was observed nor water transport because it was done only for groundwater recharge. The local

community members were disapproving of this hafir because they said it was made in the wrong

place and it did not collect much water because of its flat design. A suggestion was made to use

the new hafirs for livestock and irrigation of new farms and/or the Tal Burma alfalfa farm, thus

complementing the Tal Burma hafir. Collecting large quantities of water will be beneficial

because it could support different activities at the same time. A technical study should be done

on this suggested site before it is decided on whether to use it.

People Met

Table 14: People Met in Ma’an Governorate

No. Name Affiliation Position

1. Ussain Al-Dmour

Al Husseinieh Sub-District

Administrative Governor

2. Mohammad Al-

Zyabat

Head of a local organization

3. Ibrahim Head of a local organization

4. Ibrahim Al Nawasra Ministry of

Agriculture/Ma‘an

governorate

Agricultural Engineer

Table 15: People Met in Mafraq Governorate

No. Name Affiliation Position

79

1. Mohammed Dweilan Ar Ruweished District Head of a local organization

2. Community members

and relatives of

Mohammed Dweilan

Community members

Table 16: Stakeholders Met

No. Name Affiliation

1. Muhand Kaladeh HFDJB

2. Lubna Al Qaruti HFDJB

3. Adel Al Shubki NCARE

4. Yasser Mohawesh NCARE

5. Nashat Tahboob RSCN

6. Hasan Hawatmeh RSCN

7. AbdAllah Kloob RSCN

8. Chris Johnson Wild Jordan

Summary of Main Findings

There was a clear consensus among the people met that the proposed BELP activities will

not have any negative impacts on the environment, individuals or the household in their

communities. They believe the BELP components will positively affect the whole

community. The members of the groups recommended to form a consultative committee

from the participants representing the local community (who are also members in the

different CBOs) to work with the BELP entities on issues related to selection of the hafir

site in their community, rangeland reserve and the grants to be awarded through the

HFDJB;

The group recommended using the harvested water in the hafir for a number of uses in

addition to watering livestock. They proposed a location for a new hafir in Ma‘an;

The technology of constructing the water harvesting facilities is very important to keep

collected waters for longer periods of time. They added that NCARE should learn from

previous unsuccessful large-scale hafirs in their regions such as the Tal Burma hafir;

All proposed grants should be awarded after consultations with the local community. The

group insisted on having a transparent process. They claimed that the majority of the

grants previously awarded by other sources of funding‖ were not useful and didn‘t serve

the community needs;

The majority of the focus group participants said that they are somewhat reluctant to

work with the HFDJB on this project because of their unsatisfied past experience in

working with the Fund on other projects;

The group asked to be represented in the BELP‘s PMU or in the steering committee;

Their past experience in working with local CBOs proved to be ineffective. They asked

to work directly with NCARE in a simple and direct ways. They believe that NGOs &

CBOs waste their funds in unnecessary administrative procedures. Another alternative

they suggested is to work with women committees at other NGO centers directly.

In conclusion, the project is expected to attain significant important environmental and social

benefits that overweigh any limited adverse environmental and social impacts, which could be

mitigated through the implementation of the Environmental and Social Management Plan.

HASHEMITE KINGDOM OF JORDAN JORDAN BADIA ECOSYSTEM … · May 2012 ندرلأ19381 ةعقبلا...

Documents

Transcript of HASHEMITE KINGDOM OF JORDAN JORDAN BADIA ECOSYSTEM … · May 2012 ندرلأ19381 ةعقبلا...