AJLOUN NATURE RESERVE
Ajloun Nature Reserve is located in the Ajloun highlands (North
of Amman), around the extension of a long valley
known as Wadi Ain Zubia. It consists of Mediterranean-like hill country, dominated
by open woodlands of Oak
and Pistachio trees. the Reserve was first established in 1988 when a captive-breeding
program for the Roe Deer was initiated.
The reserve (13 square kms) is located in an area named Eshtafeena.
The reserve management has set up two
hiking trails and provided a special area for camping.
Ajloun's woodlands consist mostly of Oak trees, interspersed
with Pistachio, Pine, Carob, and Wild Strawberry trees.
These trees have been important to local people for their wood, scenic beauty,
and quite often for medicine and food.
The Roe Deer is adapted to forest habitat, and feeds on a variety
of trees, shrubs and grasses. The rich Mediterranean-like
forests that covered the Ajloun area provided an ideal habitat for millennia.
However, deforestation and desertification over
the past 200 years led to the decline in numbers of the Roe Deer. Three Roe
Deers were introduced to the captive breeding
enclosure in Ajloun in 1988, from a similar habitat in Turkey. Today, there
are thirteen Roe Deer at Ajloun.
The Persian Fallow Deer is another species that was once common
in Jordan. This animal probably became extinct by the turn
of the century. A re-introduction program for this deer at Zubia will begin
as soon as the Roe Deer program has been firmly established. This species of
deer derives its name from the old English word "falu", meaning "brownish-yellow",
which describes the color of its coat.
People with a Rich History The Ajloun area has a long history of human settlement, due
to its Mediterranean climate, dense forests and fertile soil.
This rich history is reflected in the many archaeological ruins
scattered in the woodlands and surrounding villages. In the village
of Tubna, the visitor will find a Zeidanian mosque and a meeting
hall dating back to 1750 AD. The visitor will also find a structure
known as "Al'ali Shreidah", home of the governor of
the region before the establishment of modern Jordan. The governor's
home was much admired by the contemporaries due to the fact that
it was the first two-level building in the region. The Ajloun
Castle (Qal'at Ar-Rabad) built by Saladin's nephew [1184 AD]
is another important archeological landmark. The castle was built
to control the iron mines of Ajloun, and to counter the progress
of the Crusaders by dominating the three main routes leading
to the Jordan valley and protecting the communication routes
betweeen Jordan and Syria.
Settlement in Zubia Village/Ajloun Area dates back to the Byzantine
period. There is an area in the village known as "the monastery",
which contains the remains of an old Byzantine church. There are
also houses and stables dating back several hundred years. A spring
located in a valley between Zubia and Tubna served as a major source
of water for the surrounding settlements. Today, there are more
than ten villages surrounding the Ajloun Reserve. Some villagers
are involved in farming crops such as grapes, figs and olives while
others work in the public sector. Ajloun area is famous for its
olive trees and its assorted products.
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