Recommendations of the Regina Conference

Recommendation 3.8 on Azraq Oasis, Jordan

The 3rd Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties
Regina, Canada
27 May - 5 June 1987

Recommendation 3.8: Conservation of Azraq Ramsar site

NOTING that Jordan has designated the Azraq wetland for the List of wetlands of international importance established under the Ramsar Convention;

AWARE that under Article 3 of the Convention, Contracting Parties "formulate and implement their planning so as to promote the conservation of the wetlands included in the List";

INFORMED that the Amman Water Authority is currently pumping 16 million cubic metres of water per annum from Azraq to supply drinking water for the Jordanian capital;

CONCERNED that extraction at this rate is likely to provoke serious changes in the natural properties of the Azraq wetland and, in particular, may increase the salinity of the remaining water there;

THE CONFERENCE OF THE CONTRACTING PARTIES

CALLS for a proper assessment of the environmental impact of the pumping;

SUGGESTS that pumping be reduced by at least 50%, as demanded by conservation bodies in Jordan, at least until the environmental impact study is completed; and

URGES that there be established a long-term water resources plan guaranteeing the maintenance of the natural properties of this wetland of international importance.

For further information about the Regina COP or the Ramsar Convention, please contact the Ramsar Convention Bureau, Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland (tel +41 22 999 0170, fax +41 22 999 0169, e-mail ). Posted 12 March 1997, updated 2 March 2000, Dwight Peck, Ramsar.