National parks and nature reserves of Israel: Difference between revisions
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'''The national parks of Israel''' are declared historic sites or [[nature reserve]]s, which are mostly operated and maintained by the [[Nature and Parks Authority (Israel)|National Nature and Parks Authority]]. Today, the national parks of Israel encompass 67 [[protected areas]]. Some of them are located in the [[Israeli occupied territories|Israeli occupied]] [[Golan Heights]] and the [[West Bank]]. |
'''The national parks of Israel''' are declared historic sites or [[nature reserve]]s, which are mostly operated and maintained by the [[Nature and Parks Authority (Israel)|National Nature and Parks Authority]]. Today, the national parks of Israel encompass 67 [[protected areas]]. Some of them are located in the [[Israeli occupied territories|Israeli occupied]] [[Golan Heights]] and the [[West Bank]]. |
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Some parks are located at archaeological sites such as [[Tel Megiddo]], [[Beit She'an]], [[Ashkelon National Park|Ashkelon]] and [[Kursi, Golan Heights|Kursi]]. Others, such as the [[Alexander stream]], [[Mount Carmel National Park]] or [[Hurshat Tal National Park|Hurshat Tal]] |
Some parks are located at archaeological sites such as [[Tel Megiddo]], [[Beit She'an]], [[Ashkelon National Park|Ashkelon]] and [[Kursi, Golan Heights|Kursi]]. Others, such as the [[Alexander stream]], [[Mount Carmel National Park]] or [[Hurshat Tal National Park|Hurshat Tal]] focus on nature and the preservation of local [[Wildlife of Israel|flora and fauna]]. Several parks and nature reserves have camping options, such as tent grounds and bungalows, open to small groups and individual campers.<ref>[http://traveltips.usatoday.com/ecotourism-israel-55584.html Ecotourism in Israel]</ref> |
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In 2011, the most popular national parks were [[Yarkon National Park]], [[Caesarea]], [[Ein Gedi]] and [[Tel Dan]].<ref>[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4129295,00.html 130,000 travelers visit Israel's national parks]</ref> |
In 2011, the most popular national parks were [[Yarkon National Park]], [[Caesarea]], [[Ein Gedi]] and [[Tel Dan]].<ref>[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4129295,00.html 130,000 travelers visit Israel's national parks]</ref> |
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Revision as of 06:45, 2 October 2012
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (November 2010) |
The national parks of Israel are declared historic sites or nature reserves, which are mostly operated and maintained by the National Nature and Parks Authority. Today, the national parks of Israel encompass 67 protected areas. Some of them are located in the Israeli occupied Golan Heights and the West Bank.
Some parks are located at archaeological sites such as Tel Megiddo, Beit She'an, Ashkelon and Kursi. Others, such as the Alexander stream, Mount Carmel National Park or Hurshat Tal focus on nature and the preservation of local flora and fauna. Several parks and nature reserves have camping options, such as tent grounds and bungalows, open to small groups and individual campers.[1]
In 2011, the most popular national parks were Yarkon National Park, Caesarea, Ein Gedi and Tel Dan.[2]
History
During the 19th century, the region was sparsely populated, with a population of 275-475 thousand.[3] Waves of immigration expanded local population needs. Forests were cut down to supply coal for heating, industry and the Turkish railway. The German Templars brought with them shotguns, quickly adopted by local peasants. The First World War was characterized by massive acquisition of firearms. By the early 20th century, hunting threatened the extinction of crocodiles, ostriches, deer, fallow deer, Syrian Brown Bears, onagers and cheetahs.
As a result, the Mandatory government passed laws aimed at saving the local flora and fauna. In 1924 a Hunting Act was published and in 1926 a Forest Ordinance were published. Many sites, such as the forests of mount Caramel and Mount Meron, were declared as forest reserves; certain trees were declared protected.
With the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 the protection of wildlife did not change much. The newly created state focused mainly on its economic development and the immigrant absorption. Tens of thousands of acres of swamps, which attract many species of plants and animals, were dried out. Streams were contaminated following the agricultural and industrial development. Many Wilderness landscapes were doomed due to the accelerated construction and establishment of hundreds of new settlements.
In 1953 the Knesset passed the "Protection Law of Wildlife" (חוק הגנת חיות-הבר) and the Minister of Agriculture was appointed for its implementation. In 1955, the department for the improvement of the country's landscape (המחלקה לשיפור נוף הארץ) was established in the Israeli Prime Minister's Office, which was assigned the establishment of tourist infrastructure. The department established a number of well-known national parks, such as Gan HaShlosha, Caesarea, Shivta and Avdat. Following the drying of the Lake Hula and the public pressure, the Hula Reserve was established, which was the first declared nature reserve in Israel (in 1964). In 1963 the Knesset approved the "National parks and nature reserves act" (חוק הגנים הלאומיים ושמורות הטבע) (the legislation process of the law began already in 1956). As a result, two authorities were established: the National Parks Authority and the Nature Reserves Authority. In 1998 the two authorities were merged into one body - Israel Nature and Parks Authority.
Parks and reserves
National parks
Nature reserves
As of May 2007, there are 190 Israeli nature reserves.[4]
1Located in the Israeli-occupied territories.
See also
References
- ^ Ecotourism in Israel
- ^ 130,000 travelers visit Israel's national parks
- ^ Benny Moris, "Righteous Victims - A History of the Zionist-Arab Conflict, 1881-2001"
- ^ http://www.parks.org.il/BuildaGate5/general2/data_card.php?Cat=~~~660964978~Card13~&ru=&SiteName=parks&Clt=&Bur=351331723
- ^ Sites of Human Evolution at Mount Carmel: The Nahal Me’arot