Monday, February 3, 2014

Success in Israeli Wetland Conservation - by Frances Garnett


The Israel Nature and Parks Authority (INPA) is saying that they are on the right track and see changes and hope for the future of the conservation and rehabilitation of Israel’s wetlands, especially Einot Tzukim, saline wetlands just north of the Dead Sea, since destructive human activity, spring water trickling away from the reserve, and the drying of natural streams have caused deterioration there. The INPA and the Agricultural Ministry have been setting up 0.4 – 0.6 hectare pools (two out of three of which have already been completed) in the area to help protect and keep alive species of native fish. So far, the populations of Blue and Dead Sea Killifish have accumulated to tens of thousands of fish, and the area’s tilapia population has been moved into the second pool. On Friday, the pools will be inaugurated to celebrate World Wetlands Day, and several events will be held over the weekend to celebrate the nation’s wetlands.

I knew a bit about environmental issues in Southwest Asia before I read the article, like increasing desertification, so I was glad to see such a positive article, especially about a region that is mainly filled up by desert. Because the article at the end listed times and locations for events, it made me think that the reason it was written was to influence its audience to go and participate in some of these activities, though I think that it’s a wonderful idea! The article continually stressed how the attitudes towards conservation have changed, now providing more optimism regarding the future, which is what I think we should take away from this: our environment needs our help, and this shows us that a change of attitudes and really committing can actually achieve something.

Source: http://www.jpost.com/Enviro-Tech/INPA-to-celebrate-Israels-wetlands-this-weekend-in-honor-of-intl-day-339926

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