Emad Al-Khalil

Jordan is one poorest countries in water resources , and the challenges in water are increasing every year. The ground water is main resources for drinking water through years ground water have faced scarcity and water table is going down . One of this ground water called Azraq ground water basin , in 1960s water table in Azraq basin was average 10 meter , but know average ground water is 60 meter I have to mention the Azraq basin area in 13000 km2 and water recharge 24 Million m3 and pumping every year more than 50 million m3 so the over pumping in Azraq basin reach more than 225% from safe yield. Ministry of Water and Irrigation(MWI) has tried to find solution to save water through law and water tariff and technical solution but without big impact on the basin. The main water users in the basin are farmers , farm areas are increasing year after year , in addition there are many illegal farms , who has illegal well and land . MWI and GIZ decided open dialogue with stakeholders in the basin , because they are part of problem and should be part of solution , there fore they established Highland Water Forum (HWF). The HWF content different stakeholders in Azraq basin as farmers local community , official departments MNGO and donors , whole these stakeholders discuss between each other and with decision makers in MWI to find road map for to management ground water in highland . Since 2010 HWF have been making 10 meetings until 2013 through 10 meetings the core group find action plan through it will save water for next generations. The core group approve on action plan and know we will go to next steps Institutionalization and implementing the activities in action plan. Through dialogue the MWI and farmers are closer than the past they understand each other more and reduce conflict between them.