Amman: The Jordan Environment Society voiced deep concern on Saturday over the recurrence of forest fires, whether caused deliberately or through negligence, warning of the severe environmental damage these incidents inflict on natural vegetation and wildlife.
According to Jordan News Agency, the society cited the recent wildfire in the Wedyan Al-Sham area of Jerash Governorate, which destroyed approximately 250 dunums of natural forest, severely damaging trees and plant life and threatening the region’s rich biodiversity.
“These acts represent a blatant violation of the natural environment,” the society said, adding that the fires pose grave risks not only to biodiversity but also to public safety and private property.
The society emphasized that protecting forests and natural areas is a shared national responsibility, requiring the collective efforts of both individuals and institutions.
It called on authorities to launch immediate investigations into the causes of the fires, hold those responsible accountable, and impose harsher penalties on anyone found to have deliberately started the blazes. The association also urged an intensification of public awareness campaigns about the dangers of forest fires and preventive measures, especially during the summer months.
Citizens were urged to remain environmentally vigilant, report any violations or harmful behaviors, and actively contribute to safeguarding the country’s natural resources, an essential pillar of ecological balance and sustainable development.
Stressing that environmental protection is a collective duty, the society called for transforming public condemnation into lasting positive behaviors that reinforce a national culture of conservation and natural resource stewardship.