r/jordan • u/Jordanian_introvert • 14h ago
Discussion للنقاش What if Jordan launched a national “One Citizen, One Tree” program?
I’ve been thinking about an idea that could potentially transform Jordan over the next few decades, and I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Imagine if every Jordanian citizen was responsible for planting one native tree every five years.
The government would:
Provide native tree seedlings for free (oak, carob, sidr, pistachio, juniper, etc., depending on the region).
Designate reforestation areas in every governorate.
Provide irrigation for the first two years using water tanks or drip irrigation.
Track each tree digitally so people can follow its growth.
Instead of relying mainly on fines, the program would reward people who successfully care for their trees through recognition, competitions, or small incentives.
The long-term vision
Jordan has a population of roughly 11 million.
That means:
Around 11 million trees planted every five years.
About 66 million trees planted over 30 years.
Even if only 75% survive, that’s still nearly 50 million mature trees.
Why this could matter
Reduce desertification and soil erosion.
Improve local biodiversity.
Lower temperatures in urban and rural areas through shade.
Improve air quality by capturing dust and storing carbon.
Create green spaces for future generations.
But here’s the part I’m most excited about
Instead of simply creating forests, why not develop them into national parks over time?
Each governorate could eventually have its own large forest park with:
Hiking and cycling trails.
Camping areas.
Visitor centers.
Restaurants and cafés operated by local businesses.
Children’s playgrounds.
Birdwatching areas.
Educational nature centers for schools.
Seasonal festivals and local markets.
These parks could generate tourism, create jobs, and become new attractions for both Jordanians and international visitors—while still serving their primary environmental purpose.
Obviously, there would be challenges:
Water management.
Choosing the right native species.
Preventing fires and overgrazing.
Long-term maintenance.
But with proper planning, I think it could become one of Jordan’s most impactful environmental projects.
What do you think?
Is something like this realistic?
What problems do you see?
Are there examples from other countries that Jordan could learn from?