Madaba, June 22 (Petra) - The Zaha Cultural Center in Ma’in launched a project on Monday titled "Reviving and Propagating Native Trees and Preserving Their Origins" under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Alia Tabbaa, supported by Bank al Etihad.
The initiative aims to restore and expand indigenous tree species in Jordan, while safeguarding their genetic origins.
It focuses on collecting seeds from native trees across the Kingdom, processing and cultivating them in greenhouses and specialized nurseries.
The project is designed to strengthen biodiversity, enhance the resilience of local species to climate change, and equip local communities with sustainable agricultural skills and knowledge, according to the center.
The project aligns with the center’s mission to empower communities and promote environmental sustainability, said Rania Sbeih, Zaha Cultural Center's Executive Director, noting that the partnership with Bank al Etihad was instrumental in achieving its objectives and transferring knowledge to participants.
Tariq Sakkijha of Bank al Etihad said the bank’s support reflects a commitment to sustainable development and environmental initiatives with lasting impact, pointing to the center’s role in implementing community-focused programs.
The project, he pointed out, is a successful model of cooperation that directly benefits local communities, while enhancing environmental awareness and practical skills.
The launch event included a showcase highlighting project outputs, followed by a tour of greenhouses to observe cultivation stages and implementation methods.
To date, the project has collected 135,527 seeds from 11 native forest plant species across 10 locations in Jordan, including three endangered species. It has also produced 3,100 saplings with ongoing production by trained beneficiaries.
A total of 150 participants have benefited from the project, including 44 trainees under a Training of Trainers (TOT) program, 56 youth, and 50 women, alongside the creation of nine direct job opportunities.
//Petra//HA
