Irani made the remarks during a workshop yesterday seeking to frame a strategy that regulates environmental responsibilities between the two bodies.

“The ministry provided the EPD with JD4.5 million recently to enable it to carry out its monitoring role and safeguard the environment from violators. It also extended technical assistance for gauging air pollution levels,” Irani said during the event, organised in cooperation with USAID.

The Abdoun-based department, which opened late last year, is staffed by some 900 environmental police officers. The unit handles offences and issues related to smog, water pollution, littering, tree cutting and illegal hunting.

With its patrols and horseback rangers, the EPD also inspects industries and vocational institutions’ adherence to environmental regulations and ensures that picnickers do not leave litter lying around.

The ministry also recently provided the Public Security Department with JD100,000 for the purchase of devices to monitor vehicle emissions with the aim of reducing air pollution.

The devices will be installed on cars emitting excessive amounts of smoke to measure the level of harmful gases such as sulphur, lead and other fumes.

According to official figures, there are around 1.5 million cars on the country’s roads, 800,000 of which are registered in Jordan and the rest entering the Kingdom from abroad.

The figures also indicate that some 100,000 vehicles are licensed annually.

Earlier this month, the ministry received 1.5 million euros from the French Development Agency to assist in the government’s Air Quality Monitoring System, which includes installing several air pollution detectors in industrial and high-traffic areas before the end of this year.

The screens are expected to provide the ministry with measurements of the current levels of air pollution and its sources.

Stressing the importance of intensifying efforts limiting infringements on the country’s environment, Irani said tracking violators who pollute and deplete the Kingdom’s already limited environmental resources, top the EPD’s agenda.

He added that the ministry and the department are coordinating efforts to ensure people are enjoying their right to live in a clean environment and limit pollution and emissions which hinder development.