Logging and destruction of forests continue in Jordan while the rest of the world strives to recognize the impacts of climate change and is actively trying to offset it through planting trees.

The Arab Group for the Protection of Nature (APN) condemned the Ministry of Agriculture’s approval to cut 60 forest trees in Ajloun governorate for the purpose of expanding a hospital and setting up a parking lot (29 September).During his visit to Ajloun, Minister of Agriculture and Environment, Ibrahim Shehadeh, agreed to cut 60 forest trees in order to expedite the completion of the third phase of Al Iman Hospital. The site is intended to be used for constructing a 3-storey building along with a parking lot for public use.

Razan Zuayter, APN’s General Coordinator, was surprised by the Ministry of Agriculture’s actions and silence against what she called “environmental tampering", while it is supposed to preserve these important forests.She continued: "We are with the development of the health sector, no doubt, but not at the expense of the environment”. She pointed out that environmental destruction is in complete contradiction with health development projects. Providing a clean and healthy environment necessitates the preservation of natural wealth, especially trees that have been scientifically proven to be beneficial in the vicinity of hospitals. They absorb carbon dioxide and harmful gases such as Sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide and release of oxygen, which speeds up patients’ recovery process.

According to Zuayter, solutions should be sought to advance the health sector and support necessary developmental efforts without tampering with natural resources, especially in Ajloun governorate, which is characterized as a tourist attraction due to its beautiful dense forests, topography and climate.