The project consists of three major objectives:

First of all, reforestation on 40 dunums within the barren areas of Berain forest by planting 1000 oak tree saplings to recreate the local forest ensuring its connectivity with natural eco-systems in the area as well as strengthening its forest cover.

The second objective is enhancing the conservation programs in Berain forest by rehabilitating the local forestry station to effectively protect forests in the region from illegal logging. This effort is based on best practices which will make it a model to be followed in other forests on the national level.

The third objective of the project is to support the livelihoods of the local community by generating jobs and in cooperation with local schools to increase the awarness of local communities of the ecological values of the forest, and the importace of the protection of the environment.

Conserving the Naturally Grown Forest of Berain Project, financially supported by the Embassy of the Czech Republic is implemented by Al Shajarah Society, a non-governmental organization devoted to the protection and expansion of Jordan’s forest cover. Al Shajarah originate in RSCN (the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature) and operates under the leadership of His Royal Highness Prince Hamzah bin Al Hussein as the Chairman of Al Shajarah’s board of directors. The Berain Forest project is another successful example of the cooperation in the field of nature preservation between the two friendly countries; the Czech Republic and Jordan. 

Children from local elementary school planting the oak saplings

 

The Czech Republic contribution to this project reached 27,320 USD, which covered the funding of 1000 seedlings, plantation tools, irrigation system and Forestry Station Rehabilitation. Ambasador of the Czech Republic, Dr. Ivana Holoubkova was very happy with the outcome of the project and referred to it as a step forward towards the awarness of the importance of increasing green spaces in Jordan. She appreciated the effort provided by Al Shajarah Society to implement the project as well as Al Shajarah’s commitment to renewing and maintaining Jordan forests.

The Czech Republic has been very active in the international development cooperation and humanitarian aid since 1995. The Czech Development and Humanitarian Aid are based on mutual partnership and transparency, respecting the international standards and using the Czech transition experience, where appropriate.

In 2011, the Official Development Aid (ODA) of the Czech Republic amounted to more than 256 Million USD, representing 0.13% GNI. Around 72.7 Million USD were spent on bilateral development activities, whereas 183.3 Million USD were committed through the multilateral development network. Among the priority sectors was water and energy supply, development of social and educational infrastructures as well as support for agricultural and small and medium sized enterprises. In 2011, the Czech Republic committed 4.13 Million USD in humanitarian aid both to regions hit by emergencies or conflicts (like Horn of Africa and Libya), and to countries striving with complex humanitarian crisis (like Haiti, Gaza or Pakistan).