GAM’s tree cutting at University of Jordan ‘avoidable’ — APN

AMMAN — The Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) recently cut down a number of trees on the University of Jordan's campus, as part of its clearance of routes for the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, to the dismay of an environmental protection group. 

Lamenting the cutting down of "tens of old trees" within the boundaries of the University of Jordan, the Arab Group for the Protection of Nature (APN) claimed that the GAM could have resorted to other existing alternatives other than tree felling. 

"We were shocked today [Monday] with a massive tragedy as the University of Jordan, whose history is linked to the history of the scientific institution in Jordan, agreed with the cutting of its perennial trees under the pretext of widening the street of the project [express bus]. Although there are alternatives available, it is very unfortunate that there are dozens of trees also being threatened to cut down," the APN said.

The APN also claimed that the GAM has plans to cut down "more ancient trees" across the capital as per its infrastructural preparation for the BRT project.

The APN was established as a member-based non-profit organisation in 2003 by a group of people concerned with the protection of the environment and the natural resources in Arab countries. 

Meanwhile, the GAM's "Green Amman 2020" project launched on Sunday — a campaign to plant a total of 3,000 trees on the University of Jordan's campus. 

The committee’s coordinator, Imad Dabbas, said that the tree planting campaign at the universty will be implemented at other universities across the country.

Dabbas added that the 3,000 trees will be provided by the GAM and the Agriculture Ministry.

The GAM cut down a total of 170 old trees within the boundaries of the Sports City in July as part of the BRT's route clearance.

At the time, the GAM pledged, in a statement,  to plant 10 trees for each tree it cuts down for the BRT project.