The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) opened a new tour track for four-wheel drive vehicles on Sunday at the Azraq Wetland Reserve, an RSCN affiliate.
The 15-kilometer “Al Qassayim Trail,” named after the area its located in, takes about 3 hours to finish, taking visitors on a spin around the reserve all the way to a spot known as “the bottom,” famous for its oasis during the rainy season and a view of passing migrant birds.
Part of the track takes visitors to venture into Al Qassayim’s hills and then heads down to a rest stop to enjoy tea brewed on firewood.
According to an RSCN statement, the opening of the new trail aims to attract visitors and offer a new tourism product that fits the area’s terrain and diversifies activities for people staying at the reserve.
The trail was carefully chosen to eliminate damage to the reserve’s environment of plants and animals, said RSCN Director-General Fadi Nasser.
He noted the RSCN seeks to boost visitor numbers to enjoy the uniqueness of the reserve, featured by an oasis that attracts many migrating birds. The RSCN also intends to increase the local community’s support, he added, noting that the reserve’s facilities are open all year round.
Those willing to partake in the tour as drivers must have a driver’s license and be 18 years old or older, but passengers must be 16 years old or older as standard safety measures such as seat belts must be abided.
The Azraq Wetland Reserve, established in 1978, is a crucial pitstop for migrating birds and an excellent destination for birdwatching. A third of the Kingdom’s bird species (350) were registered in the reserve, in addition to the endemic Aphanius sirhani fish. The reserve was recently chosen as one of the 100 best sustainable sites in the world by the Green Destinations 2022 conference held last month in Athens.
Source: Jordan News Agency