Calls to enhance environmental protection and consolidate sustainable development concepts
Amman3 min read
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Calls are increasing to enhance environmental protection, spread environmental awareness, and intensify national and community efforts to preserve natural resources, reduce pollution, limit the random dumping of waste, and encourage eco-friendly practices, contributing to achieving sustainable development and building a safer future for coming generations.
Specialists and those interested in environmental, tourism, and development affairs in Ajloun Governorate emphasized the importance of intensifying efforts to protect natural resources and preserve biodiversity, praising the Royal interest in environmental issues and the directives of His Majesty King Abdullah II to enhance resource sustainability and confront climate challenges.
On the occasion of Arab Environment Day, which falls today, Wednesday, they pointed to the importance of integrating official and community efforts to face environmental challenges, protect forests and water sources, and promote practices that ensure the sustainability of natural resources for future generations.
Ajloun Tourism Director Firas Al-Khatatbeh said that forests and natural sites are among the most prominent tourist attractions in the governorate, confirming that preserving them contributes to enhancing Ajloun's position as a destination for eco-tourism and rural tourism.
He added that developing the tourism sector requires taking into account the environmental characteristics of natural sites and organizing tourism activities in a way that limits their impact on the environment, pointing to the importance of coordination between the concerned authorities to ensure the sustainability of these sites.
Director of the Ajloun Forest Reserve for the Biosphere, Oday Al-Qudah, said that the reserve hosts a diversity of plant and animal species, which calls for continuing efforts to protect their natural habitats and maintain ecological balance in the region.
He added that preserving vegetation cover requires monitoring environmental changes and limiting practices that affect forests, in addition to rehabilitating damaged sites and strengthening measures to protect plant and animal species.
Member of the Advisory and Steering Committee of the Jordan Environment Society and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at the Hashemite University, Dr. Adnan Maqtash, said that climate change and fluctuating rainfall pose a challenge to water resources and vegetation cover, which requires developing scientific solutions that contribute to adapting to these changes and limiting their effects.
He emphasized the importance of the role of universities in conducting environmental research and studies and employing their results to address local challenges, in addition to involving students in research projects that contribute to developing methods for managing natural resources.
Member of the Green Planet Society, Dr. Amer Freihat, said that reducing pollution in forests and parks requires addressing the problem of littering and random waste disposal, pointing to the importance of strengthening oversight and awareness of behaviors that affect the cleanliness of natural sites.
Member of the Nasmat Shawq Tourism Association, Yousef Al-Smadi, said that involving local communities in protecting natural sites contributes to enhancing their responsibility towards environmental resources, emphasizing the importance of the role of tourism associations in encouraging people in rural areas to participate in activities that preserve natural assets and support job opportunities related to tourism.
Member of the Arab Coordination Network for the "Environment Unites Us" initiative, Ru'a Zaitoun, said that volunteer work contributes to supporting environmental efforts through cleaning and afforestation campaigns and caring for public sites, emphasizing the importance of implementing continuous volunteer programs in cooperation with the concerned authorities and expanding youth participation in field activities.
