Official and community figures, along with those interested in environmental and tourism affairs in Ajloun Governorate, affirmed the importance of strengthening national and community efforts to preserve the environment, and spreading a culture of cleanliness while curbing negative practices, particularly in forested and tourist areas, in line with royal directives aimed at strengthening environmental protection, supporting sustainable development, and instilling a culture of community and volunteer work.
اضافة اعلان
They told the Jordan News Agency (Petra) that World Cleanup Day represents an occasion to renew commitment to environmental protection and strengthen community responsibility, noting the importance of integrating the efforts of official institutions, municipalities, environmental and volunteer associations, and the local community in carrying out cleanup campaigns and environmental awareness, and turning them from seasonal activities into sustainable daily behavior.
Member of the Jordan Environment Society's Senior Advisory and Steering Committee, and president of Ajloun National University, Dr. Firas Al-Hanandeh, affirmed that maintaining a clean environment is a shared responsibility that begins with the individual and family and extends to various institutions of society, noting that universities can play an important role in spreading environmental awareness and encouraging students to take part in volunteer initiatives.
He pointed to the need to link environmental awareness with scientific research and applied practices, and to strengthen initiatives targeting youth and school and university students, in a way that contributes to building a generation more aware of the importance of protecting natural resources and reducing waste.
For his part, head of the Governorate Council Committee, Engineer Muawiya Annab, noted that Ajloun Governorate is distinguished by its forest wealth and natural and touristic sites, which makes the governorate in need of continued efforts to maintain its cleanliness and protect its environment, affirming the importance of supporting environmental initiatives carried out by the local community in cooperation with official bodies.
He noted that general cleanliness isn't tied to civic appearance alone, but is also a fundamental element in boosting tourism, improving quality of life, and preserving natural resources, calling for increased awareness programs and encouraging citizens to maintain public places and tourist sites.
For his part, head of the Kufranja Municipal Council Committee, Ismail Al-Aroud, said municipalities play a fundamental role in maintaining public cleanliness, through overseeing waste collection efforts and organizing cleanup and awareness campaigns, noting the importance of citizens' cooperation and commitment to placing waste in designated areas.
He affirmed the need to strengthen partnerships between municipalities, institutions, associations, and volunteer initiatives, to carry out campaigns targeting public, forested, and tourist areas, and to spread awareness messages that help reduce random dumping of waste. For his part, head of the "Oasis of Thought and Creativity" initiative, Dr. Adnan Muqtash, pointed to the importance of preserving the environment and instilling a culture of cleanliness and positive behaviors, explaining that environmental protection is a shared responsibility requiring cooperation between official institutions, civil society, and youth and volunteer initiatives.
He affirmed the importance of employing intellectual and cultural initiatives in spreading environmental awareness, and encouraging young people to take part in volunteer activities and environmental campaigns, noting that investing in awareness and knowledge contributes to building a generation capable of contributing to environmental protection and achieving sustainable development.
Member of the "Environment Unites Us" initiative, Abdulkarim Freihat, said environmental and volunteer initiatives help strengthen a sense of responsibility among members of society, particularly youth, noting that local community members' participation in cleanup campaigns reflects an awareness of the importance of preserving the environment and the place.
He affirmed the importance of continuing initiatives throughout the year rather than limiting them to environmental occasions, alongside focusing on raising awareness of the dangers of plastic waste and its effects on the environment and public health.
Member of the Green Planet Society, Mahmoud Al-Abboud, noted that preserving the environment begins with changing daily behaviors, pointing to the importance of intensifying environmental awareness programs in schools, universities, and local communities, and encouraging citizens to reduce waste production and reuse and sort it whenever possible.
Member of the "Nasma Shawq" tourism association, Youssef Al-Samadi, called for intensifying cleanup campaigns at the governorate's tourist and natural sites, given they serve as a showcase for visitors and tourists, affirming that the cleanliness of tourist sites helps boost their appeal and encourages environmental and responsible tourism.
He pointed to the importance of the tourism sector, associations, and local community taking part in protecting natural sites, and developing awareness programs targeting visitors and urging them to keep sites clean and not leave waste behind.
For her part, member of the "Volunteer Media Professionals" initiative, Ruaa Zeitoun, pointed to the importance of the role played by media outlets and digital platforms in spreading environmental messages and promoting positive behaviors, affirming that environmental media is capable of conveying issues of cleanliness and nature conservation to various segments of society.
She called for using social media to support environmental and volunteer campaigns, and to highlight successful initiatives and encourage young people to take part in them, in a way that strengthens a culture of volunteering and community responsibility toward the environment.
Resource: Petra.
