Latest news with #AgricultureLawNo.13
Jordan News
12-04-2025
- General
- Jordan News
Ancient Oak Forests in Bireen: A Natural Heritage Facing Challenges - Jordan News
The ancient oak forests in the Bireen District of Zarqa Governorate represent a natural heritage that has endured for thousands of years, home to over 100,000 oak and juniper trees—some of which are over a thousand years old. اضافة اعلان Hussein Al-Khalidi, Director of Agriculture for the governorate, stated that these forests, considered the "green lung of Zarqa," are facing complex challenges threatening their survival. Chief among these are climate change effects, which have led to decreased rainfall and increased temperatures, disrupting the thermal balance and humidity levels that oak trees depend on. He added that recurring droughts have weakened the trees' resistance to agricultural pests, such as the bark beetle, which accelerates their health decline. Additionally, the spread of juniper trees is depleting water and soil resources at the expense of the oak trees. He also warned of fungal diseases attacking the trees' immune systems, noting that these combined factors are accelerating the phenomenon of "oak decline." Al-Khalidi pointed out that urban and agricultural expansion has reduced forested areas by 15% over the past decade, according to statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture. This has increased competition for limited resources among plant species and weakened the oak trees' ability to reproduce naturally over time. He stressed that overgrazing and illegal logging—despite stricter penalties under Agriculture Law No. 13 of 2015—continue to exacerbate the crisis. Regarding forest distribution, Al-Khalidi explained that they are concentrated in the Bireen District in western Zarqa, especially in the areas of Al-Alouk (the densest), Al-Masarra, Al-Kamsha, Al-Makman, Sarwat, and Bireen. These areas form a unique natural tapestry that attracts around 60,000 visitors during holidays. He revealed a comprehensive plan being implemented by the Directorate of Agriculture to address these challenges, including the strengthening of foot and mobile patrols to prevent overgrazing, enforcing fines of up to 5,000 dinars for violators, as well as awareness campaigns to emphasize the importance of preserving the forests and supporting eco-tourism projects. Al-Khalidi concluded by saying, 'Despite the harsh challenges, the combination of preventive, legislative, and community measures demonstrates the possibility of preserving this natural heritage,' affirming that the oak forests will remain a living testament to Jordan's environmental history. (Petra)
Ammon
12-04-2025
- General
- Ammon
Old oak forests in Zarqa's Birin district face 'mixed' challenges
Ammon News - The old oak forests in Birin district in central Zarqa governorate constitute "a natural heritage" spanning thousands of years. The forests are home to over 100,000 oak and Greek juniper (Juniperus excelsa) trees, some date back to over 1,000 years old. Director of Zarqa Agriculture Directorate, Hussein Khalidi, said these forests, which are viewed the "green lungs of Zarqa," face "complex" challenges that threaten their survival. Khalidi noted these hardships relate to climate change, which has led to decreased rainfall and increased temperatures, disrupting the thermal and humidity balance needed for oak trees. Khalidi added that repeated droughts have weakened these trees' capability to resist agricultural pests, mainly bark beetle, which accelerate their deterioration. Khalidi also referred to spread of Juniperus excelsa trees, which deplete water resources and soil at the expense of the oak forests. Additionally, he warned of fungal diseases that attack the tree's immune system, noting that these factors combined are "accelerating" the phenomenon of "oak decline." Khalidi noted that urban and agricultural expansion have reduced forest areas by 15% over the past decade, according to Ministry of Agriculture statistics. This situation has increased competition for oaks with other plant species for limited resources and weakened their ability to reproduce naturally over time, he pointed out. On other difficulties, he noted overgrazing and illegal logging operations, despite the "stricter" penalties imposed by Agriculture Law No. 13 of 2015, continue to exacerbate the crisis. Regarding the forest distribution, Khalidi said trees are concentrated in Birin district, west of Zarqa governorate, particularly in Aalouk area, which are "the densest," then comes the forests in Masra, Kamsha, Makman, Sarout, and Birin landscapes. Khalidi announced these areas form a "unique" natural fabric that attracts approximately 60,000 visitors during holidays. However, he revealed a "comprehensive" plan that is implemented by the Zarqa Agriculture Directorate to address these challenges. The scheme, he noted, aims to strengthen foot and mobile patrols to prevent overgrazing, imposing fines of up to JD5,000 against violators, and launch awareness campaigns on the importance of forest conservation and efforts to support ecotourism projects. Continuing: "Despite severity of the challenges, the combination of preventive, legislative, and societal measures demonstrates the possibility of preserving this natural heritage."
