The area of the reserve barely received any visitors before we developed the eco-tourism infrastructure and facilities that serve both the day visitors such as various hiking trails, restaurants, or accommodation cabins that attract nature lovers who desire to stay overnights in the area. We made sure that our ecotourism products depended on natural and cultural resources, low level of technology with a low negative impact on nature respecting the carrying capacity of the site.

We also linked the reserve with the surrounding historical and cultural attractions to create benefits and alternative income for the people living around the reserve who we assisted in the rehabilitation of their houses that are located along the hiking trails to be stop points for food and beverage.

Last year we made a qualitative leap in tourism by launching a Zip-line game that significantly contributed in enriching the experience of the visitors of the reserve, we also enhanced many of our trails and added more signs to guide the path and give more information about the reserve and its biodiversity.

Ajloun Reserve which was established in 1987 covers 12 km2 from the remaining fragile and fragmented forest patches in northern Jordan, In 2004 eco-tourism concept was introduced to the reserve, 10 tented bungalows and a summer restaurant were built, we created various hiking trails that connect the reserve with the surrounding villages and archeological sites. In 2009 we built 5 new cabins with private facilities, the occupancy rates increased significantly and the demand for the cabins was very high hence in 2012 we received a grant from the Ministry of Planning to build 8 cabins and a winter restaurant.

In 2009 HRM King Abdullah II laid the foundation stone of the Royal Academy for Nature Conservation and it was officially opened by HRH the Crown Prince. The building consists of an educational center, Socioeconomic projects for the locals and a restaurant. In 2016 we converted the old bungalows to new cabins with private facilities.

The reserve became a very famous and unique tourist attraction, we receive visitors from all the different social classes including HRM the Queen and other members of the Royal family.

REDD projects require long term commitments between the forest-owning communities and the project developer in order to deliver genuine, high integrity carbon credits that avoid emissions through reduce deforestation while improving livelihoods and protecting biodiversity. Contracts guarantee that both parties are aware of this long-term commitment and of each parties’ responsibilities. 

The contract between the forest communities of the Ntakata Mountains and Carbon Tanzania, the project developer is 30 years. This includes the two years it takes to develop and certify the REDD project. Before contracts are signed Carbon Tanzania conduct introductory meetings with community members that focus on free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) to ensure the rights of the communities are upheld during the development of the contract.

Indigenous people are the most effective stewards of forest ecosystems, and the success of the Ntakata Mountains REDD project can be directly attributed to the involvement of the forest communities who live in and depend on the forests for their livelihoods. By working with indigenous peoples and forest communities who legally own and manage their natural resources we can ensure they directly benefit from both the protection of their natural resources and the carbon finance that is generated through the project’s activities.

Land use plans that are determined and demarcated by community members increases local awareness and reduces conflict.

Local resource owners are directly involved in the development of the Ntakata Mountains REDD project from the beginning with introductory meetings with the project villages and communities that focus on free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC). Participatory land use management then begins with the communities determining how their land use plans will be zoned and agreeing on boundaries. Once all community members agree to the established land use plans, the boundaries of the Village Land Forest Reserves are then demarcated to facilitate protection.