Azraq, Jordan

In 1977, the Ramsar Convention declared the Azraq wetland as a major station for migratory birds on the African–Eurasian flyway. Due to excessive pumping of water from the oasis and illegal drilling of wells for agricultural purposes, water levels have steadily dropped for 50 years. The wetland rescue started in 1994 with the objective to restore a significant portion of the wetland, and to increase depleted water levels by 10%. The Land Use Land Cover map of Azraq in 2005 provides a detailed classification of all land parcels within wetland sites, distinguishing between water, natural areas and artificial surfaces.