Ajloun, Oct. 10 (Petra)-- Citizens and environmental activists in Ajloun governorate have called for greater official and community efforts to protect forests from violations as winter approaches, stressing that the forests are an environmental treasure and a national asset that must be preserved.

They emphasized the importance of activating proactive plans to curb negative practices that harm forests and to strengthen their protection.

Deputy President of the Jordan Environment Society, Rabia Al-Momani, highlighted the need to intensify inspection tours in forested areas of the governorate, which are known for their dense vegetation. She pointed out the importance of employing modern technologies, such as drone surveillance, to detect illegal logging or encroachments immediately.

Al-Momani also called for launching awareness programs in schools and universities to instill the concept of forest protection as part of Ajloun’s environmental identity.

Meanwhile, the President of the Ajloun Green Society for Environmental Development, Ibtihal Al-Samadi, warned that forest violations have severe and long-lasting environmental consequences, noting that ancient trees such as oak and evergreen oak take decades to regenerate. She added that the society, in cooperation with government bodies, is implementing field awareness campaigns to promote a culture of environmental protection among different segments of society.

Member of the "Our Tourism Reflects Our Wealth and Environment" initiative, Ibrahim Al-Qudah, emphasized that Ajloun’s forests are not just a natural canopy but a living memory and part of the region’s environmental heritage. He underlined that public awareness and cooperation with the concerned authorities form the first line of defense in safeguarding this national treasure.

Director of Ajloun Agriculture, Rami Al-Adwan, stated that the department has intensified field inspections across various forest areas in recent weeks in coordination with the Royal Department for Environmental Protection and Tourism.

He noted that the law imposes strict penalties and fines for violations, adding that the department combines field monitoring with modern technologies. Al-Adwan also pointed out that Ajloun encompasses around 190,000 dunums of natural and planted forests, which serve as the "green lung" of northern Jordan and play a vital role in moderating the climate and protecting soil and groundwater resources.

//Petra// MF