In recent years, environmental crisis has worsened in the Palestine, Gaza Strip in particular, with solid waste, sewage and air pollution being the major issues. The key reason for environmental degradation in the Gaza Strip has been the difficult economic situation and an unending Israeli blockade. Wadi Gaza (or the Gaza Valley) which is located in the middle of Gaza Strip has been transformed from being the most substantial natural ecosystems in Palestine to the most deteriorated regions.
Wadi Gaza can be described as one of the largest natural wetlands in Palestine with a length of 105 km. This area has been represented as a natural habitat, encompassing a wide variety of fauna and flora species. Such eco-region is aiming at preserving the wetland ecosystem as well as minimizing the deterioration of its natural resources.
Due to its significance as a natural region, Wadi Gaza was declared as a natural reserve in June 2000. However, Wadi Gaza and its wetland ecosystem are degrading at an alarming pace with each passing day with major threats posed by the discharge of large amounts of wastewater and municipal solid waste along its bed.
Wastewater comes as an effluent from two sources around Wadi Gaza; wastewater treatment plants and sewer systems. When those two effluents combine, they form a river of wastewater, more than 5 km long, before its discharge into the Mediterranean Sea. Besides wastewater, Wadi Gaza is being used as a landfill for disposing huge amounts of solid waste and construction debris. The leachate generated from accumulated solid wastes has high contaminant concentrations which makes the situation more dangerous.
The worsening pollution in Wadi Gaza is having devastating impacts on the ecology, wildlife as well as the public health of the communities around the valley. The widespread use of pesticides, due to increase in agriculture in Wadi Gaza, is posing serious threats to wildlife and biodiversity. Poaching activities are also affecting many species, causing them to become extinct
In terms of potential solutions, governments and many organizations have tried to solve the problems as much as possible or at least alleviate the effects. Despite the delay of its establishment due to the political and economic situation in Gaza Strip, interim central wastewater treatment plant can be considered as one of the most efficient solutions to Wadi Gaza and Gaza city as it aims at improving the environmental situation.
Moreover, the importance of this project lies on restoring the stream of the Gaza Valley to its normal nature reserve to receive rainwater only as well as reducing the pollution of seawater. The project also includes planting the area which is surrounded by the plant and setting-up an irrigation network in order to maintain Wadi Gaza as a natural reserve. However, the plant is facing serious issues in its operation, such as the shortage of electricity and diesel due to decade-long Israeli blockade of Gaza strip.
Environmental awareness can be an important tool in protecting ecological havens like Wadi Gaza. Environmental awareness is an effective educational method which may help Palestinians to realize the importance of conservation of Wadi Gaza as well as teaching them various techniques to understand the consequences of activities which can affect adversely to the valley.
One of these programs which relied on that concept is to research the history of Wadi Gaza to connect the outcome with the environmental strategies of the valley from different perspectives. This program has stimulated more interest among Palestinian people to enhance ecotourism as well as demonstrate the significance of Wadi Gaza through using public awareness techniques.
A good example is conducting youth tracks for the first time in Gaza Strip, Wadi Gaza in particular, under the umbrella of the Palestinian Sport and the Environment Committee and Palestine Wildlife Society – Beit Sahour (West Bank), by the Arab Youth Climate Movement “AYCM” – Gaza, Palestine, which is a part of the Arab Youth Climate Movement (AYCM). Such bodies aim to create a generation of educated youth who can recognize and deal with threats from climate changes which threatening nature.
- The first environmental track in Wadi Gaza which is regarded as one of the most remarkable projects in environmental awareness programs in the strip, have had several advantages for the Palestinian environment as it aimed at emphasizing on the need for urgent procedures to preserve the natural reserves, including Wadi Gaza as well as maintaining the unique biodiversity available in such ecosystems. Beside these advantages, the participants on this track recognized at the first time the natural environment with watching the manifestations of biodiversity in the region. Consequently, some protective approaches have been proposed after understanding deeply the concept of the wildlife conservation. Thereby, such programs would be a perfect vehicle towards conserving the natural reserves as well as promoting ecotourism in that area.
- The second environmental track in Wadi Gaza. This track had been implemented as a second phase in order to complete the first one as well as fulfill the core purpose of such tracks; namely, emphasis on the need for urgent action to preserve the Wadi Gaza and maintaining the unique biodiversity available in this area.
- The Environmental exhibition entitled: “Protecting biodiversity and developing ecotourism in Palestine”. The program has been accomplished through environmental exhibition, which was held on May 19, 2016 and took place at the Gaza Zoo. The activity consisted of two parts. The first was carried out through a discussion among the participants about the impact of climate change on biodiversity as well as distribution brochures in order to inform the participants of the types of animals and plants which live in Palestine. The second part was showing a collection of photographs and information for the plants and animals and some photos of the recent environmental tracks. The participants concluded the activity with a tour in the zoo in order to recognize the animals more, especially those living in the Palestinian environment.
Conclusion
Wadi Gaza, one of the most significant nature reserves in Palestine, is witnessing rapid degradation due to anthropogenic activities including but not limited to discharge of municipal sewage, dumping of solid wastes, rampant use of pesticides and illegal poaching. Although many projects have been initiated to safeguard Wadi Gaza, some have not worked appropriately, the others have been closed for one reason or the other.
Consequently, urgent steps by responsible parties are needed to protect the reserve in a sustainable way. Effective environmental laws and legislation should be imposed to protect Wadi Gaza and other natural habitats in the Palestine. Last but not the least, Palestinians must be directly involved in Wadi Gaza conservation initiatives in order the handle the prevalent issues holistically.
