Amman:The Arab Potash Company (APC) and the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) have launched the Tamarisk Forest Sustainability Project in the southern Dead Sea region. The initiative aims to restore native tamarisk trees and protect critical habitats within the Fifa Nature Reserve.
According to Jordan News Agency, the Fifa Nature Reserve is notable for being the world's lowest-elevation wetland site registered under the Ramsar Convention and serves as a crucial stopover for migratory birds traveling between Africa and Europe. The project is funded by APC and implemented by the RSCN, focusing on habitat protection for local wildlife such as the Dead Sea Sparrow and the Nubian Nightjar.
The inauguration ceremony was held at the reserve's headquarters, featuring a ceremonial tree planting and a presentation on the project's key components. Ecological field surveys will assess tamarisk tree distribution, health, and regeneration potential, while grazing impact studies will evaluate livestock pressure on vegetation to establish sustainable grazing guidelines.
Enhanced environmental protection efforts will involve increased field patrols in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Royal Administration for Environmental Protection. The project also includes environmental awareness programs for local students and community members to foster community engagement.
APC Chair Shehadah Abu Hdaib and CEO Maen Nsour highlighted the partnership as a demonstration of the company's dedication to balancing industrial activities with ecological stewardship, combating desertification, and safeguarding fragile ecosystems. RSCN Board Chair Batool Ajlouni and Director General Fadi Naser emphasized the importance of corporate partnerships in habitat restoration and biodiversity preservation.