Aqaba: Renewing the partnership between Ayla and the Nature Conservancy

Ayla Oasis Development Company and the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature renewed their partnership agreement for the eighth year in a row. The agreement aims, according to a statement issued by the company today, Tuesday, to continue cooperation between the two sides in the fields of nature protection and to provide specialized advice and technical expertise in this field.

Under the agreement, the two sides will implement a program to observe bird species during the migration seasons and their passage in Ayla, which has resulted in great successes over the past years by recording dozens of new species of birds. The association provides Ayla Company with consulting services for the design and construction of the natural environment botanical garden in Ayla, within the Ayla’s Feather trail.

The two sides will continue to launch the bird watching program and Ayla’s Feather trail, study the impact of the habitats established therein on attracting birds, and provide technical advice on increasing habitats in accordance with best environmental practices.

The CEO of Ayla Oasis Development Company, Eng. Sahel Doudin, stressed the importance of partnership with the leading association in the field of protected areas management in the Kingdom. He also emphasized the strengthening of cooperation in the fields of bird observatory and Ayla’s feather trail and the Natural Environment Botanical Garden which strengthens its leadership as a green project in environmental sustainability and nature protection.

He added that since 2013, we have achieved together great successes in the aspects of preserving the environment, preserving natural life, and registering birds in order to achieve the required balance. Ayla has also continued its own programs to promote eco-tourism due to the unique environment in which it is located.

The Director-General of the Society, Yahya Khaled, said that, through constructive cooperation with Ayla, we have succeeded in applying the best international standards in the protection of natural resources which resulted in great successes for the Aqaba Bird Observatory as a project that represents a model for cooperation between various national institutions. He hopes to open new possibilities for future cooperation between the two sides

He indicated that Ayla, in its continuous cooperation with the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature and other national institutions concerned with environmental work, embodies the institutional vision by adopting the best environmental practices that promote sustainable housing and tourism. It also ensures the best ways to protect the environment and is the cornerstone of caring for migratory birds.

It is noteworthy that the Aqaba Birds Observatory in Ayla recorded more than 100 species of birds of which 3 are rare species recorded in Jordan and one of them was recorded for the first time in Aqaba.  The migratory birds alight at Ayla to rest and be able to complete their migration journey.