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Sources of the Jordan River – Humans and Nature
SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT : |
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Objectives
In the north of the Syrian-African Rift Valley, flow the Jordan River and its tributaries, which feed the lowest sweet-water lake in1 the world, the Kinneret. This unique natural system is a major source of drinking water to both Israel and Jordan, and host to an advanced agricultural industry and popular tourist attractions. Yet the region is very sensitive both ecologically and hydrologically, and developmental pressures threaten the proper functioning of its resources.
This project aspires to create a framework for sustainable development, which will allow for cautious exploitation of resources, and balance the needs of development with the environment.
The specific goals are to:
§ Prepare a Master Plan for land use designation, environmental management, flood prevention and proper drainage;
§ Encourage public participation in planning and decision making processes;
§ Develop ecotourism alongside natural resource preservation;
§ Change destructive behavioral patterns through educational programs and enforcement;
§ Encourage ecological agriculture practices.
§ Create administrative framework for implementation, management and maintenance of Master Plan.
Actions and means involved
The project area includes the sources of the Jordan River (Snir, Hermon and Dan rivers), the Jordan River from the northern border to Lake Kinneret, natural watercourses and channels, swamp land and drained areas of the Hula Valley. The focus will be on the rivers and their banks with attention given to wider spheres of influence. Streams feeding the Jordan River from the Golan Heights and neighboring countries will not be included at this time, but we do hope to involve users across the international border in the future. With improvement in the situation, we hope to include the segment of the Kinneret's drainage basin located in Lebanon. Effort will be made to ensure the support and collaboration of the states with a shared interest in this project.
The project will create a framework for comprehensive management and maintenance of the sources of the Jordan River. The structure for this will be outlined in the Master Plan, providing vision and guidance for future development.
The project has two main stages:
1. Formulation of the Master Plan for the Sources of the Jordan River.
2. Creation of a plan for control, maintenance and management of the river basin according to the fundamentals of the Master Plan.
The stages will be implemented with full participation of local residents and professional circles.
The steps towards creating a Master Plan:
§ Creating a vision for the future –A sustainable balance between development and preservation of natural resources.
§ Building a data base – utilizing GIS technology: the region’s physical, social, economic and planning aspects.
§ Determining sensitivity and carrying capacity – rating the sensitivity of each section of land and determining the carrying capacity for various activities.
§ Defining current and future demands for human activity – residential, tourism, industry, quarrying and roads.
§ Matching supply and demand – optimizing the use of each land segment and preserving sensitive ecosystems.
Management and maintenance plan to ensure implementation of the Master Plan:
§ Directing activities to the best location with respect to sensitivity and carrying capacity;
§ Removing destructive activities from the rivers’ banks;
§ Developing educational tools for residents and tourists;
The project will lay down tools and incentives for achieving long-terms goals beyond the project’s time frame.
Expected results
Transformation of residents', decision makers', planners', tourists' and visitors' perceptions on development and conduct in the area. Progress will be measured and detailed in reports according to indicators (according to those of the "Blue Plan") outlined in the relevant sections of the proposal, with quantitative statistics to demonstrate acheivements.
1. A structure of rules, regulations, maintenance and management procedures for the holistic, sustainable development of the Upper Galilee region. This will be presented in a Master Plan serving as a basis for a future statutory plan.
2. Formulation of a system of rules, information dissemination and enforcement mechanisms regarding the area’s natural resources with jurisdiction over residents and visitors.
3. Creation of an organization for collaboration, pooling of resources and comprehensive management of the region’s resources: including organizations responsible for planning, development, management and maintenance (NGO’s, governmental ministries, local authorities, residents).
Foundation for long-term planning of activities that coincide with the values of sustainable | |
What's New In Project LIFE?
February 27, 2008
Project LIFE has now entered its 3rd year of activity and now it's time to have a look and learn what's new:
The project deals with future planning for the source waters of the Jordan River, all of the activities that occur along the rivers' banks, or deals in activities that profit from the river. Within the framework of the project, we intend to restore a portion of nature that grew extinct in recent years to the rivers' environs while assisting to develop sustainable agriculture and tourism, along side the river, enjoying its bounty and allowing it to have a life of its own.
Currently our project taskforce teams are promoting the following issues and subjects:
Planning:
■ The Master Plan and interface are currently in the advanced planning stages prior to their presentation for public comments. An announcement will be forthcoming as to a series of opening meetings for the public in which residents may express their opinions concerning the project.
■ As the project reaches a conclusion and once concluded, the program will serve as a basis for regional development in both the Galil Eilon and Mevoot HaHermon Regional Councils.
Education and Information:
■ Some 30 "River Brigade" groups operate in the region and continue their various activities towards conserving and protecting in and around the areas of the Source Waters of the Jordan River. The project has attracted significant interest and additional groups have joined the program that is managed in cooperation with the National Parks and Gardens Authority, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael and the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel. In addition to the student activities, a number of teacher training seminars on the subject are also conducted.
■ An elite group of some 30 volunteer environmental quality inspectors has been deputized to enforce current environmental protection laws in the Galil Eilon region. Prior to their heading into the field, the volunteers all participated in an extensive training program conducted by professionals from the Israel Ministry for the Protection of the Environment so that they would be capable and certified to enforce all current environmental protection ordinances and laws.
■ We continue to distribute various brochures and information packets pertaining to all aspects of river conservation and protection to area visitors and tourists, particularly during the summer season.
Tourism:
■ We maintain a close and fruitful relationship with MATI Northern Galilee and the Tourism Association currently being established.
■ At the conclusion of two eco-tourism seminars conducted for approximately 70 tourism operators from the region, six were certified as ecological tourism operators and another six are currently working towards this accreditation.
■ A group of some twenty tourism operators continues to meet on a bi-monthly basis at various tourism sites and attractions in order to examine the site's suitability to a wide range of ecological considerations and aspects.
■ A daylong conference on the subject of Eco-Tourism will be conducted on June 24, 2008 at the Tel Hai Academic College.
■ A well-attended seminar on the subject of Agro-Tourism was also held. At this stage, it was decided not to pursue the matter with additional seminars.
Agriculture:
■ Approximately 130 participants participated in two seminars that concluded this past February on the subject of Environmentally Friendly Agriculture. These were in addition to the course conducted last year that received positive recognition as well.
■ A Steering Committee to promote the method of IPM (Integrated Pest Management) in the Galilee was established that would allow for the collection and distribution of information between farmers and growers in order to reduce the use of pesticides harmful to both man and the environment.
■ An advanced research study to examine the long-term effects of pesticide sprays on the neurological systems of area residents was given priority and initiated earlier than originally scheduled.
■ A project incorporating owls as natural predators in the battle against rodents was initiated while reducing damage caused to the environment
Rehabilitation:
■ Within the framework of the Master Plan, various segments of the streams were marked and designated for conservation and rehabilitation.
■ The impact of kayaking/river rafting on the environment was investigated while searching for a suitable mechanism for monitoring and enforcement in order to reduce the damage caused to the region's plant and wildlife.
■ Conservation and development work was conducted along the Hermon Stream and a natural rehabilitation process was initiated along a segment closed to vehicular traffic.
Financing:
■ A variety of municipal ordinances concerning river management have been legislated and enforced in the relevant regional councils.
■ A survey of relevant literature pertaining to the means of funding nature attractions in Israel and around the world was conducted. A proposal regarding the matter of possible means of funding in our region is currently being compiled by Urbanics Ltd. It has yet to be decided if the principles concerning the establishment of alternative, fee charging campgrounds and tourist attractions will be adopted. An additional possibility of fundraising through means of a non-profit tourism association is also under consideration.
■ The Tourism Association (under development) will work to combine the concept of eco-tourism and generate resources in order to conserve and protect the region's natural gifts for the benefit of the region's residents and visitors.
Development:
■ A series of new signs carved out of the region's basalt rock will be placed at various points along region's streams.
■ The Hermon Stream from Moshav Sha'ar Yishuv until Kibbutz Sde Nehemiah has been closed to vehicular traffic in order to protect the stream's natural environment. A wide bicycle path has been developed for the benefit of the region's cyclists and visitors.
■ The River Walkway (to the west of Sde Nehemiah) is currently under renovation, come visit.
■ With funding coming primarily from the National Rivers and Streams Authority, a series of additional segments have been designated for rehabilitation and the development of bicycle paths.
■ The issue of rehabilitating and expanding protective riverbanks is the authority's next great challenge.
Maintenance:
■ A close-knit network of field inspectors from the Galil Eilon and Mevoot HaHermon Regional Councils work together in patrolling the region's open spaces and assist in reaching the proper conclusions concerning various maintenance aspects of the region's open spaces.
■ Nonetheless, there is still much work to be accomplished in assimilating the cooperation between the two organizations.
■ A regional ordinance pertaining to river management has been passed by the Mevoot HaHermon Regional Council and now taken effect; however, the council has yet to prepare additional ordinances dealing with maintenance objectives.
Drainage:
■ New plans for a regional drainage program are currently on the drawing table and will include river pathways and flood basins.
■ A DHV survey of the Snir Stream was recently completed allowing for a Master Plan and statutory program to be written and developed for this stream.
■ The Kinneret Drainage Authority and National Rivers and Streams Authority continue to promote environmentally friendly concepts for drainage along the length of the river and streams.
Water Quality:
■ Led by the National Water Authority and Kinneret Administration an initial water-monitoring program has been developed and a new pilot program to monitor water pollution levels in the Nochilela Channel was recently initiated.
■ It is not expected there will be any changes in the network of agencies already active in this area and the Sources of the Jordan River Authority has no current plans to enter into this matter in any significant manner.
To our many partners please accept our sincerest appreciation for the time, efforts and resources you are investing in order to improve the environment and quality of living in our region!
Thank you!
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