AMMAN - The Environmental Police Department (EPD) has dealt with 15,405 environmental and health infringements since the beginning of the year, with illegal logging constituting the majority, according to EPD sources.
These are followed by violations of environment and public health safety regulations at cattle and poultry farms, according to Ministry of Environment Spokesperson Isa Shboul.
Established in 2006, the EPD works in accordance with 18 active laws regulating environmental affairs and is tasked with protecting the environment by inspecting factories, industrial zones and picnic areas, and tracking down violators.
With its patrols and horseback rangers, the EPD checks on industries and vocational institutions' adherence to environmental regulations and ensures that picnickers don't leave litter lying around.
Last month, the department activated a free hotline (195), which receives calls from the four mobile operators, and where EPD-trained personnel receive and respond to complaints from the public, according to a department source.
"The hotline was mainly set up for environmental purposes, but we are receiving calls from the public on all kinds of violations, including traffic, as well as requests for assistance," the source said.
EPD Director Colonel Mahmoud Turk said the department's 24-hour operations room has also dealt with 1,294 complaints, adding that the department will supply 10 four-wheel drives and another six motorcycles to its directorates across the Kingdom for carrying out regular inspection patrols.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Environment, he said the department will sign environment-related agreements with ministries and institutions next year to coordinate efforts to preserve natural resources.
Hana Namrouqa
© Jordan Times 2008
