Irbid, May 17 (Petra) -- Interior Minister Mazen Faraya launched the national "Safe Summer for Forests" campaign Sunday at the Kufr Abeel afforestation project in the Koura District of Irbid Governorate, organized in coordination between the governorate and the Irbid Agriculture Directorate.

Faraya said governors had been directed early this year to convene executive council meetings and local civil defense committees, tasking agriculture, public works, and municipal bodies with fire prevention preparations ahead of summer. Measures include building firebreaks and opening dirt access roads to limit the spread of any blazes.

The minister stressed the environmental, touristic, and natural value of Jordan's forests, calling on all stakeholders to unite efforts to protect the country's vegetation cover and forestry resources.

He urged civil defense and relevant agencies to assess their operational needs for summer risk management and develop access plans for forests in difficult terrain.

Acting Irbid Governor Raed Jaafreh said the campaign reflects national priorities and royal directives on environmental protection, describing it as an expression of collective responsibility toward nature and forest wealth.

Irbid Agriculture Director Abdul Hafez Abu Arabi, briefed attendees on the campaign's components, focus areas, and key objectives.

Awareness lectures were also delivered to schoolchildren on forest protection and waste reduction under the national cleanliness strategy.

Around 1,000 volunteers and 51 government and civil society bodies took part, including civil defense committees, universities, schools, and community organizations, a turnout that reflected strong public awareness and national commitment to environmental preservation.

//Petra// NQ