The former Minister of Environment, Yassin Al-Khayat, said on Thursday that the Dana Reserve is affiliated with the Arab Network for Biosphere Reserves and is part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves.

Al-Khayyat clarified that any change to the protected area will lead Jordan to resubmit a new request to the General Secretariat of the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Program, and it may be rejected because of its violation of the conditions related to the necessary areas and others, according to his statement to the Kingdom.

He pointed out that this may lead to a loss of the balance of ecosystems and all the animal and plant wealth it includes, and a threat to maintaining the classification of Dana as a biosphere reserve, given that it is internationally classified as an important area for plants and birds?

He added, “Jordan occupies a prominent position because it contains large natural reserves with an area of ​​2,920 square kilometers, noting that Jordan includes 12 reserves and there is a plan to add 6 new reserves with an area of ​​approximately 1,753 square kilometers in the regions of the Aqaba, Shobak, Rajif and Bayer mountains, bringing the area of ​​reserves to 4,670 square kilometers.” It is considered an achievement for the size of Jordan.”

He drew attention to the fact that cutting off part of the Dana Reserve may negatively affect its classification with UNESCO and the Biosphere and is considered a loss of confidence that was given to it, especially since the first meeting of the Arab Network for Biosphere Reserves was hosted by Jordan in 1997, and the concerned country should respect its commitment towards the national and international communities regarding Protecting natural habitats, especially in light of climatic changes and the resulting natural hazards, such as forest fires, floods, torrential rains and landslides.

“Increasing the area of ​​protected areas is one of the global goals ratified by Jordan through international conventions and treaties, the most important of which is the Convention on Biological Diversity and its annexes, which aim to increase the areas of protected areas to 17% of the land area of ​​the Earth, knowing that the world has reached 15% with an area of ​​20 million square kilometers.” According to the tailor.

He pointed out that Jordan owns two protected areas classified within the biosphere network, which are Dana and Mujib Reserve, out of only 33 protected areas in the Arab world, and among 714 protected areas worldwide.

He explained that biosphere reserves are sites dedicated to achieving a balance between biodiversity conservation and human activities by ensuring the sustainable use of natural resources.

“These reserves aim to achieve a set of goals, including finding innovative practices for sustainable development,” he added.