The existing protected areas in the West Bank preserve and conserve important resources (biological, historical, archaeological, and cultural resources), yet they do not adequately conserve the biological diversity. Very little of the West Bank is designated for nature protection and in actuality many important ecosystems are wholly unprotected and under threat.
Currently, Israel declared 48 nature reserves in the West Bank, with a total area of almost 33,070 hectares (5.68% of the West Bank’s area). These nature reserves are distributed mostly over the Eastern Slopes and the Jordan Valley of the West Bank. A substantial part of these areas overlap with the state-land, closed military areas and colonies in the West Bank (Map 3). Part of the protected areas in the West Bank were declared as parks or natural reserves during the British Mandate, while the others were declared as protected areas during the Israeli occupation. The selection was not based on scientific reasons but political ones.
Almost all the protected areas in the West Bank lie in the zone designated as Area C, where control continues to be under the exclusive authority of Israel. Of the 48 designated nature reserves, only 13 reserves are located in Area B, just 11.3% of the total area designated as nature reserves. These reserves are under the authority of the Palestinians. Authority for nature reserves and parks falls under the Ministry of Agriculture.
Recently, in Wye River Agreement (October, 1998), the Palestinian Authority has been infothat it will allocate an area/areas amounting to 3% from the 12% that should be transferred by the Israelis from area C to area B. This area is going to be designated as Green Areas and/or Nature Reserves. The Palestinians have further been informed that they will act according to the established scientific standards, and that there will be no changes in the status of these areas, without prejudice to the rights of the existing inhabitants in these areas including Bedouins; While these standards do not allow new construction in these areas, existing roads and buildings many be maintained. However, the Israelis will retain in these Green Areas / Nature Reserves the overriding security responsibility for the purpose of protecting Israelis, as indicated in the text of the memorandum.
The Palestinians have to utilize this area in the appropriate way so as to optimize the protection of the existing biological diversity in the area. Inventorying a design of a protected area according to the scientific standards and a management plan will be needed as an immediate priority.
There is only one small zoo in the West Bank, in Qalqiliya, housing a few wild animals including birds, mammals, reptiles and crocodiles. Qalqiliya municipality is responsible for the management and protection of the zoo and its wildlife. Although this zoo is considered more for entertainment, but still, it can be an effective way for conserving wild animals.
There is no specific area that is declared as a protected area in Gaza Strip, but there are areas of nature conservation values. Few areas remain in the Gaza Strip in a pristine natural state. The coastal zone still contains small relics of nature conservation value. The outlet of the Wadi Gaza, the adjacent dunes and the bordering salt marshes are of a unique character. Dune formation processes by sand blown in form the seashore goes on in a rather undisturbed way, leading to natural vegetation succession, which extends some 300 meters inland.
The whole range of plant species belonging to the vegetation of tidemarks (Ipomea stolonifera, Salsola Kali) and the mobile littoral sand dunes (Cypero conglumerati, Ammophiletum arenaria) are found here. The salt marshes with a vegetation of the Salicornietae europea gradually shifts to a vegetation of fresh marshes, where reeds and cyperacea are dominant. The numerous Tamarix trees on the saline soils and in the mobile dunes are replaced land inward by the Ficus sycomorus trees.
The Wadi Gaza outlet is the only place where waterfowl and waders can be observed. Most common species are: Ruff, Black–winged stilt, black-tailed Godwit, Spur-winged Plover, Little Stint, Snipe, Redshank, Coot, Shoveler, Teal, Mallard, Water Rail, Black-headed Gull and Common Gull. A total of some 1250 dunums of salt marshes, mobile dunes and beaches together with some 2000 dunums of marshes and bordering vegetation can be regarded as areas of special botanical and faunal interest.
Map 2: Protected Areas in the West Bank, as declared by the Israeli Authorities.
The extensive desert-like areas in the south-western part of the Gaza Strip is the only remaining vast area, which is not used for agriculture or housing. The bare sands in the south-west, on the other hand, are the last extensive habitats of reptiles in the Gaza Strip. Here migratory Quail landing on the coastline of the Gaza Strip and the northern Sinai, can find relatively safe resting and foraging opportunities.
Threats and Impacts
- The pressure of population growth and the unorganised intensive building.
- The creeping of urban areas and cultivated lands towards the wilderness, range-lands and natural pastures in addition to land restrictions by Israel.
- The usage of many pollutants such as heavy metals, radioactive isotopes, and long lasting products such as chlorinated hydrocarbons, detergents, plastics, solid and industrial wastes, and pesticides.
- The impact of air pollutants such as the dust originated from quarries and stone cutting factories.
- The replacement of native vegetation, native forests and shrub lands with cultivated crops.
- The use of “modern” agricultural practices and the increased use of pesticides and fertilizers.
- Erosion of crop’s genetic stock and agricultural production based upon fewer and fewer genotypes.
- The immigration of alien weed vegetation brought about by agriculture.
- The increase in sheep and goats number per area and overgrazing in natural grazing areas and rangelands.
- Land confiscation to build more Israeli colonies and military areas.
- Climatic change and its impacts on the existing wildlife and agriculture.
- Lack of experience and awareness among local communities, technicians and professionals.