Minister of Agriculture inaugurates Orange Forest in Jerashmercredi, 14 juin 2023
Jordan’s Minister of Agriculture, Engineer Khaled Hneifat, affirmed the ministry’s continuous efforts to increase green spaces across the Kingdom under a comprehensive national plan in cooperation with all parties to protect forests.
The Minister’s statement came during his patronage of the inauguration of Orange Forest in Thaghrat Asfour, in Jerash, one of the national afforestation projects in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture supported by Orange Jordan. The event was attended by Jerash Governor, Dr. Firas Al- Faour and the company’s CEO Philippe Mansour.
Hneifat stressed the importance of celebrating World Environment Day in highlighting the need to coexist with nature in harmony by making changes to mitigate climate change impacts, preserving the environment, and ensuring environmental rehabilitation, in line with national commitments made under international agreements.
The minister pointed out that there are over 30 associations and institutions that have launched national afforestation projects, with an estimated area of 300 dunums, using treated water and indigenous species in each region to counter the effects of climate change.
Hneifat said that the ministry established several national afforestation locations in the south, center and north of the Kingdom, with a high success rate, recognizing the efforts of Orange Jordan and those in charge of the project in preserving and implementing it.
According to the minister, the rate of violations against forest lands in Jerash and Ajloun decreased as a result of the Ministry’s plans.
For his part, CEO of Orange Jordan, said: “this celebration is crucial amid the pressing need to take active steps to mitigate climate change and reduce carbon emissions. I am proud of the environmental role of the Orange Forest that acts as a natural carbon sink”.
Mansour added: “As per the global Orange group’s goals to reach carbon neutrality by 2024, we continue to implement many environmental initiatives and projects, such as the increased use of renewable energy with our Solar Farms covering approximately 60% of the company’s energy needs, and the development of circular economy and concrete measures to increase our energy efficiency. As a responsible digital leader, Orange is committed to take its part in favor of the environment”.
Jerash Governor praised the active institutions and entities supporting the establishment of the project, stressing the importance of afforestation to tackle climate change and the fluctuation of the rainfall rate.
Through Orange Forest, launched on 29 dunums under the National Afforestation Project, Orange Jordan aims to promote expanding green spaces, provide a recreational outlet for its employees, their families, and all Jordanians in nature, and affirm its environmental commitment.
During the event, Minister of Agriculture, CEO of Orange Jordan, and the company’s employees planted trees in Orange Forest.
The celebration was attended by several deputies from the governorate, Assistant Secretary-General of Forestry in the Ministry of Agriculture, Engineer Khaled Al-Qudah, and the Mayor of Jerash, Ahmed Hashem Al-Atoum.
At the end of the ceremony, the CEO of Orange Jordan honored Director of Jerash's Agriculture Directorate, Dr. Fayez Al-Khawaldeh, the Director of the Jerash Forest Directorate, Engineer Fayez Al-Harahsheh, the Project Controller, Engineer Muhammad Al-Mahasneh, in addition to Engineer Muhammad Al-Awamleh from the Forestry Department.