By: Batir Wardam

Weekly article published by Star newspaper-Jordan

The Social Security Corporation (SSC) declared that it has donated its ownership of a portion of Dibbin Forest to be added to the already existing Dibbin Nature Reserve, run by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN).

This is a positive conclusion of the environmental-economic fiasco that has erupted last year regarding the proposed mega-tourism complex project in Dibbin Forest suggested by Jordan Dubai Capital which was faced with negative reactions from environmentalists and some residents of the area while it was perceived as a silver bullet against poverty and unemployment by another sect of the local community and some economists.

The piece if land donated to the RSCN is the same one that was supposed to host the controversial project. However, a win-win solution crafted by the Ministry of Environment and Dubai Capital about 6 months ago resulted in the changing of the project location to be located in the already exploited area of the tourism rest house run by the SSC in the outskirts of the forest while saving the natural forest to be considered as an continuation of the reserve.

The solution meant that the Dubai capital Company will now revamp the already exhausted area of the rest house and turn it into a modern and sustainable tourism complex while keeping the natural forest intact. This scenario was positive for the struggle of the environmental community against the project. It is a good opportunity to remember the main controversial issue in this case study of the antagonistic interests of conservation and investment.

The proposed project to be installed by the Jordan Dubai Capital Co. included building of a massive tourism complex that will cover an area about 450 dunums (113 Acers), 4 hotels and 160 chalets. This would have certainly resulted in a huge degradation of the ecosystem.

The proponents and supporters of the project have invested heavily in highlighting the potential socio-economic benefits associated with building the tourism complex and have relied on Jordan's declared plans for supporting foreign investment as a tool for economic growth and development. On the other hand the environmental NGOs launched a campaign that focused on the need to relocate the project to the outskirts of the forest.

The land on which the project is/was to be established has been leased to the Social Security Corporation (SSC) for "public benefits". The SSC sold the land to Dubai Capital and became a partner in the project. So, can you define building an expensive mega tourism project targeting the rich tourists as a public benefit?. I think public benefits can be defined by building parks, schools and other benefits for the community. In addition to that the project violated the Environmental protection law and the Environmental Impact Assessment regulations no 37 for 2006 by not getting an approval from the Ministry of Environment regarding the location of the project. The approval for the LOCATION should be gained BEFORE the Environmental Impact Assessment study. So, what happened is that the company has asked for the Ministry for an EIA approval while the location is de facto. The EIA deals only with mitigation measures of an already approved project, but this one did not even get a prior license, which was not obtained from the Ministry.

Most project advocates said the company will plant 10 trees for each one it cuts. The issue is not the number of trees but the degradation of the ecosystem itself. Some trees are endangered, some are historic and some are keystone in terms that they supports the diversity of the forest by providing food and shelter for other organaisms. So, the management option is not a mathematical formula but a genuine study of the ecosystem components to save the whole system from collapsing. This case was important because if the Company could manage to force its opinion and build the project it might open up the door for other investors, waiting like vultures to rape the remaining natural forests. Up to now the provisions of the Agriculture Law and the Environment Law stood firm against exploitation of forests for private tourism and agriculture purposes, but if Dubai capital managed to get a permit then everyone else will start complaining about the "double standards" and the line of defense will be collapsed as well.

The only credible argument in favour of the project is the expected socio-economic benefits. Project supporters said hundreds of local people from Jerash will be hired. If that is the case each one would be in support of the project but unfortunately it may not be. The first direct beneficiaries will be owners of adjacent lands which price will skyrocket. Some of the owners are current and former MPs who were supporting the project and asking the Royal Court to give the permission soon. Benefits to the local community should be in the form of participation in the development chain. I mean by being hired in permanent jobs, providing services to the complex, providing food and beverages, and creating community-based tourism services that may complement the big project. Will this be done? the answer should be with the Jordan River Foundation who have signed an MoU with the Company for socio-economic development of the local community. Personally I do trust Jordan River Foundation as I also trust the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature who both are partnering the Dubai capital in meeting environmental and socio-economic concerns. However more information should be disclosed so that people will not have over expectations for the local benefits.

In the final analysis all parties involved in this case managed to think out of the box and in a positive and meaningful manner that let the project go ahead and provide the expected socio-economic benefits while still conserving the natural forest. This is a case when two negotiators for conservation and investment think together of a mutually beneficial way out it can be done smoothly. Conservation and investment promotion can be reconciled with creative ideas and good intentions.