AMMAN — After considerably longtime of modest rainfall, Jordan’s forests and rangelands are showing strong signs of recovery following a good 2025–2026 rainy season, officials said, with cautious optimism, saying that more good wet seasons needed to achieve full recovery.

 

“The season has been positive compared to previous years,” Khalid Manaseer, director of the Forestry Directorate at the Ministry of Agriculture, told The Jordan Times. “Rainfall levels improved across most regions, enhancing vegetation cover and helping revive both forest and pasture lands."

 

According to Manaseer, Jordan has endured consecutive dry years that caused visible damage to ecosystems nationwide, particularly during the 2024–2025 season.

 

“Conifer trees are still the most affected due to the cumulative impact of prolonged drought,” he said, noting that pasturelands across the north, centre and south also suffered from severe rainfall shortages.

 

Field reports indicate that grazing cover has begun to return in several regions, including parts of the Jordan Valley, offering relief to livestock owners and rural communities.

 

But Manaseer stressed that sustained rainfall over the coming years will be critical to restoring ecosystems and reintroducing species that have declined or disappeared.

 

"We need consistent seasons like this to achieve full recovery,” he said.

 

The improved rainfall has also transformed landscapes across the Kingdom this spring, drawing more visitors to forest areas and natural reserves.

 

Manaseer say biodiversity has begun to rebound, with the reappearance of wildflowers absent in recent years, including the black iris.

 

At the same time, the influx of visitors has raised concerns over human-induced risks, particularly forest fires.

 

Authorities attribute many fires to negligence, including discarded cigarette butts, barbecuing and improperly extinguished charcoal.

 

“Some fires start from very simple actions,” Manaseer warned. “A cigarette thrown on the roadside can easily spread into nearby forests."

 

According to a Ministry of Agriculture report obtained by The Jordan Times, Jordan’s forest ecosystems have undergone significant fluctuations over the past decade. Data covering the 2016–2025 period show that forest fires peaked at 198 incidents in 2020, while the largest burned area was recorded in 2024, reaching 6,132 dunums.

 

Although the number of fires dropped sharply to 21 in 2025, that year still saw the loss of 5,008 trees, underscoring the lingering impact of prolonged drought and human-related causes.

 

Littering remains another persistent challenge, posing risks to both ecosystems and livestock. In response, the Ministry of Agriculture, in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment and the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN), has intensified awareness campaigns, including distributing waste bags to visitors.

 

"The public response has improved this year, but more awareness is still needed,” he added.

 

Alongside field efforts, Jordan is increasingly turning to technology to strengthen forest protection.

 

The Ministry of Agriculture has signed an agreement with Growtech, a company specialising in artificial intelligence and remote sensing, to introduce advanced monitoring systems aimed at early detection of fires and environmental violations.

 

Abrar Otibi, founder and managing director of Growtech, said the system will integrate satellite imagery with ground-based sensors to provide continuous monitoring of forest conditions.

 

“Remote sensing enables us to track deforestation, illegal logging and environmental changes without physical intervention,” Otibi said.

 

She added that satellites equipped with spectral imaging technology will assess vegetation health, while ground sensors will deliver real-time data on temperature changes and potential fire outbreaks.

 

“All information will be transmitted around the clock to the Forestry Directorate’s operations room, allowing for immediate response,” she said.

 

The project is currently in the fundraising phase, with implementation expected within five to six months.

 

Manaseer described the initiative as a critical step forward in protecting Jordan’s forests.

 

“Artificial intelligence will act as an early warning system,” he said. “If we detect fires early, we can prevent large-scale damage. In previous years, some fires lasted for days and required aerial firefighting."

 

The system will operate in coordination with several agencies, including Civil Defence and the National Centre for Security and Crisis Management.

 

Despite these advancements, Manaseer emphasised that long-term protection ultimately depends on public cooperation.

 

“Government efforts alone are not enough,” Manaseer said. “Citizens play a key role in preserving forests by avoiding harmful practices such as littering and lighting fires."