The land in question lies below the Israel Museum, with the Botanical Gardens adjoining, and touching upon the cross-city Begin Highway. It had been leased to the two kibbutzim as agricultural land for many years, but the lease was up. However, the kibbutzim together with a land developer claimed the land.

The problem is that the last small herd of gazelles from the hills of Jerusalem had this land as their home. Being between two hills, the area has become known as Gazelle Valley. These gazelles were cut off some 15 years before the dispute started from their natural habitat and other herds of gazelles in the Judean Mountains, due to roads and homes being built all around.

As if this was not enough the herd of gazelles have been depleted through hunting by wild dogs. It took months of relentless activity by the SPNI to catch the dogs, but by then only three does were left

The District Planning and Building Council of Jerusalem has finally given approval for a plan ensuring the does’ future and enabling the re-population of the herd. Their plan calls for part of the valley to be left in its natural state, to accommodate the gazelles, while the remainder would be a public park.

The SPNI has also committed to bring in fresh blood to maintain the herd of gazelles.

Biblical reference
This is a tremendous boost in animal protection, and especially important to readers of the bible. One of the earliest references to gazelles in this area comes from Song of Solomon 3:5 – I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the does of the field …

Thanks goes to: Ha’Aretz Daily Newspaper and the Jerusalem Post

Image via Wikipedia

Ein Gedi is one of the most visited nature reserves in Israel, both by Israelis and by tourists. This is due to its unique nature as an oasis in the Judean Desert, but also because the easy trails within the reserve.

Ein Gedi is situated approximately half way on the shores of the north part of the Dead Sea. The two year-round streams, Nahal David and Nahal Arugot, are its basis. In addition to these two streams there are four springs in the area, to feed the streams and the wild-life. All the water to the reserve originates from the rain that falls in the higher sections of the Judean Mountains.

The water and the climate allow for a great variety of unique wild life, both in plant and animal species. This is not to say that these species are not to be found in other places, but in Ein Gedi they are closer together, and easier to see.

Among the plant species to be found in Ein Gedi are acacias, Christ-thorn and Sodom Tree, as well as giant reeds and cattails. Various forms of mosses and ferns clothe the mountain sides.

The animals most widely seen are the wild goats of Ein Gedi, the ibex, and the hyrax, also called the marmot. If you could be there at night you might see foxes, wolves and hyenas. Until a few years ago it might also be possible to see a spotted leopard, but from recent information it seems they have gone extinct.

Though most visitors come to Ein Gedi for its spectacular nature, there are many remains of human habitation, starting in the Calcolithic (Late Stone Age) period some 5000 years ago. From around the 7th Century BCE a Jewish community thrived in Ein Gedi, leaving behind the remains of the houses, production sites and particularly the synagogue from the 3rd-6th century CE. Remains of the watering system has been found, showing the importance of agriculture, especially of dates and the balsam tree. We do not know today what the name balsam tree refers to. However, in antiquity one of the most expensive perfumes was produced from it.

When visiting Ein Gedi you can chose from a number of trails, from easy family trail, such as Nahal David, the somewhat longer trail through Nahal Arugot, or even longer trails leading up to the higher mountains in Ein Gedi. Most tourists make do with the short Nahal David trail.

Visiting hours:
April-September 8 am to 5 pm
October-March   8 am to 4 pm. In these months last entrance is at 3 pm. at Nahal David and 2 pm at Nahal Arugot.

The best seasons are fall, winter and spring. The summer at the Dead Sea and Ein Gedi can be extremely hot.

In 1955 the first law to protect nature in Israel was passed by the Knesset (Parliament). It is known as the Wild Animals Protection Law, and came into being in order to save the remnants of many animals species threatened with extinction, due to hunting and total disregard for the nature of the land up till then.

In 1963 an additional law came into being, establishing two government authorities:

The National Parks Authority – to protect, maintain and develop historical sites
The Nature Reserves Authority – to protect, maintain and develop nature reserves.

Israel Nature and Parks Authority the Caretaker of World Heritage Sites

In 1988 the two authorities were joined into one, The Israel Nature and Parks Authority, INPA. As of May 2007, 190 nature reserves and 66 national parks have been officially declared so far, covering an area of approximately 20 percent of Israel’s land mass. But the INPA does not rest on its laurels: More than 200 additional proposed nature reserves and national parks are in various stages of the declaration process.

These parks stretch from Mount Hermon in the north with its snow covered peaks in the winter (and a ski resort), through green Mediterranean country side and wetlands, where until the 19th century cheetahs could still be seen, as well as wetlands, to the mountain highland of Judah and Samaria, through the Negev Desert to the coral reefs at the Red Sea and Eilat. Within this area are unique natural phenomena like the Dead Sea and the Ramon Crater, geological developments not found anywhere else in the world.

The richness in the natural landscapes and its flora and fauna is a result of Israel lying as a meeting point between Europe, Africa and Asia.

The INPA also looks after the vast number of historical sites, many of the hundreds, even thousands of years old. These sites are the foundation for the understanding of the country’s history and cultural development, which has had such a profound impact on world history.

Following the adoption by UNESCO of the charter to protect cultural and natural sites of global importance, the INPA has invested considerable resources in gaining inscription in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The first site, Masada, was inscribed in 2001, followed in 2005 by biblical tells of Tel Megiddo, Tel Hazor and Tel Be’er Sheva, to be followed by the Incense Route and the Nabatean towns of Avdat, Shivta, Halutza and Mamshit. Other sites will hopefully be inscribed in the future.

The Israel Nataure and Parks Authority continues its work to protect nature and historical and cultural sites. It has successful programs to re-introduce animals that became extinct, is involved in the protection of the countries shorelines and much more.

For anyone interested in knowing more about the Israel Nature and Parks Authority.

In later articles I will write about some of the parks.

Make sure that a number of the parks will be on your private guided tour