Ajloun, Dec. 8 (Petra) -- Ajloun Governorate is accelerating its afforestation efforts as part of a broader push to expand green areas and respond to growing environmental pressures. The initiatives bring together government agencies and local communities to rehabilitate degraded sites, enhance vegetation cover, and strengthen the governorate’s environmental identity.
Director of Education in Ajloun, Khaldoun Juwaid, said the Directorate has intensified its environmental programs in schools, launching an ambitious initiative to plant one million forest seedlings across schoolyards, surrounding areas, and suitable sites in the governorate. The campaign, part of the "I Belong to My School, and My Environment Is More Beautiful" program, aims to build students’ environmental awareness and encourage sustainable practices.
Director of Ajloun Agriculture, Rami Al-Adwan, highlighted the Ministry of Agriculture’s ongoing work to protect forest resources, including monitoring sites and planting trees in empty areas as part of its long-term strategy. He stressed the need for continuous, organized afforestation campaigns, especially to compensate for areas damaged by fires and violations, and the importance of properly maintaining and irrigating seedlings to ensure their survival.
Al-Adwan noted that expanding green cover and preventing forest depletion is a shared national responsibility, emphasizing the strong collaboration between the Ministry and other state institutions. He pointed out that Jordan received a $25 million Green Climate Fund grant three years ago to support sustainability projects and expand tree planting in partnership with environmental groups and civil society organizations.
Muawiya Annab, head of the Agricultural Engineers Association in Ajloun, said local afforestation initiatives are making a tangible contribution to improving the governorate’s environmental conditions. He added that school-based agriculture programs help cultivate responsibility among students and reinforce connections to their natural surroundings.
Osama Louay of the Green Planet Association for Environmental Protection said protecting forests requires widespread community engagement and coordinated efforts to reduce fires and violations. He stressed the need for continuous environmental education to prevent further tree loss and ensure successful reforestation.
Muneeb Al-Qudah, a member of the "Environment Unites Us" initiative, said expanding tree planting, particularly of forest species, remains essential for restoring vegetation cover, improving air quality, and reducing soil erosion across Ajloun.
//Petra// RZ
