Citizens and environmental activists in Ajloun Governorate called for intensified official and community efforts to protect forests from encroachments ahead of the winter season, emphasizing that forests are an environmental treasure and a national asset worthy of preservation.
اضافة اعلان
They stressed the importance of activating proactive plans to curb harmful practices and safeguard the forests.
Rabeea Al-Momani, Vice President of the Jordanian Environment Society, highlighted the need for intensified inspection tours in the densely vegetated forest areas of the governorate. She also called for the use of modern technologies, such as drones, to monitor any violations against trees in real time, alongside launching awareness programs in schools and universities to instill the concept of forest protection as part of Ajloun’s environmental identity.
Ibtehal Al-Samadi, Chairperson of the Green Ajloun Association for Environmental Development, stated that forest violations have long-lasting environmental impacts, noting that ancient trees like oaks require decades to replace what is cut down. She added that the association works in cooperation with official authorities to conduct field awareness campaigns to promote environmental protection across all segments of society.
Ibrahim Al-Qudah, a member of the initiative “Our Tourism is the Hallmark of Our Wealth and Environment,” emphasized that Ajloun’s forests are not merely a natural canopy but represent the memory and environmental heritage of the area, noting that citizens’ awareness and cooperation with relevant authorities form the first line of defense for this national wealth.
Rami Al-Adwan, Director of Agriculture in Ajloun, said that the directorate has intensified field inspection tours in forest areas over recent weeks in cooperation with the Royal Commission for Environmental Protection and Tourism. He added that the law imposes penalties and fines, and that the directorate relies on a combination of field monitoring and modern technologies. Al-Adwan noted that Ajloun contains approximately 190,000 dunums of natural and planted forests, serving as a green lung for northern Jordan and contributing to climate moderation, soil protection, and groundwater preservation.
— (Petra)
