30,000 Olive Trees Near Karak, Jordan, May Die As Springs Dry Up, Rains Fail

[hatrack]

AMMAN, 17 September 2008 (IRIN) - Persistent drought in the south could lead to the decimation of thousands of olive trees in the city of Karak, 120km south of Amman, according to environmentalists, who blame climate change. “We witness in summer a dramatic increase in temperatures and in winter a lack of rain,” said Ahmed Koufahi, executive director of the Jordan Environment Society.

“Our problem will worsen in the future and drought could strike all around the kingdom,” Koufahi told IRIN.

Olive trees could end up dying in the town ahead of the coming winter season, said Abdullah Fadel, a farmer from Iraq town, 20km south of Karak. "Last year we had little rain during winter. This resulted in a small output of olives compared with previous years, but now we fear that all trees will die because we have not been able to water them for a while now," said Fadel.

Farmers said at least 30,000 olive trees were on the brink of turning to dead wood after springs in the area dried up. Many farmers resorted to purchasing water from tanks in the city, but the high cost prevented them from splashing out continuously. "We are still far from the winter season. I don't know what will happen until the first drop of rain comes, but it looks like all the trees in the town could die," said Fadel.

EDIT

http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=80408