AMMAN, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- UNESCO on Wednesday inscribed Jordan's al-Mihrass olive tree on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, during the 20th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee at New Delhi's Red Fort.
Jordanian Cultural Minister Mustafa Rawashdeh welcomed the recognition, saying the al-Mihrass olive tree is an integral part of Jordanian identity and daily life, and its inscription boosts its cultural and tourism value.
According to the ministry, the al-Mihrass is an ancient lineage that has preserved its characteristics for centuries. It is resilient to climate change and harsh conditions, producing high-quality oil with up to 30 percent oil content, among the highest globally.
On its webpage, UNESCO highlights the traditional knowledge involved in caring for these ancient trees -- grafting, pruning, fertilizing, and harvesting -- skills passed down through generations.
A recent study by Jordan's National Agricultural Research Center and two Jordanian universities found that al-Mihrass trees in the Maysar area of the Ajloun Governorate belong to some of the oldest olive genetic strains in the Mediterranean, closely related to early varieties in Spain, Italy, and Cyprus. ■
