Authorities arrest illegal logger ‘responsible for majority of forest violations’

AMMAN — Authorities have arrested an illegal logger responsible for the majority of violations on the country’s forests in the northern governorates, a government official said on Thursday.

“Security authorities this week arrested a major and dangerous violator of forests in the north. He was responsible for the majority of illegal logging cases,” Eid Zu’bi, director of the Agriculture Ministry’s forestry department, told The Jordan Times.

The suspect used to cut forest trees after midnight, according to Zu’bi.

“It is such a relief to know that a major and dangerous violator is now behind bars,” he said, adding that the ministry, the forestry department and security authorities have intensified forest protection measures.

“The number of illegal logging cases has dropped compared to this period last year. We have increased the number of rangers and patrols, as well as control towers, while security authorities established road blocks and inspection points at entrances and exits of streets leading to and from forests,” Zu’bi underscored. 

Environment Ministry figures indicate that the Rangers recorded 42 illegal logging cases over the past month.

Environment Minister Taher Shakhshir said violators of the country’s forests have been referred to court for legal action.

In a statement e-mailed to The Jordan Times, Shakhshir called on the public to report any cases of illegal logging or illicit trade in forest trees.

Meanwhile, the Rangers registered 4,254 environmental violations across the Kingdom during the past month, and closed down 78 industrial and commercial institutions for breaching regulations according to Environment Ministry figures.

Authorities also issued warnings to owners of 1,386 vehicles for emitting harmful and excessive amounts of fumes, as well as 1,804 warnings to commercial institutions and shops for lack of cleanliness.