Israel designates eight new forests as natural reserves along northern border

Agriculture and Food Security Minister Avi Dichter has officially designated eight forests along Israel's northern border as natural reserves, encompassing about 27,000 dunams (27 square kilometers). This broad initiative, led by the ministry, aims to provide robust protection for these forested areas through a national regulatory process.

The declaration grants the designated lands official status, preventing damage and ensuring that planning authorities consider their preservation. This move is crucial as some areas previously relied on outdated declarations or partial status that were vulnerable to various pressures. The new designation elevates the forests' weight in decision-making processes, strengthening their legal standing.

This strategic initiative, promoted by the National Forest Officer Dr. Erez Barkai, is part of a policy to expand forest reserves in Israel. It aims to preserve open spaces and ecological systems by providing a strong protective framework. The designated forests include Har Haider, Har Sasa, Netua Tsunem, Psota, Tarbikha, Shefer, Kadrim, and Wadi Limon. Some are entirely new reserves, while others update historical declarations to reflect the current situation.

"The declaration of eight new forest reserves in the north, anchoring their status and preserving the green and lush character of the area, is joyful and exciting," Dichter stated. Israel currently has over 900,000 dunams declared as forest reserves out of approximately 1.5 million dunams of planted forests. The new reserves will ensure these specific areas receive statutory protection, reducing harm and preventing changes in land use.

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The declaration of eight new forest reserves in the north, anchoring their status and preserving the green and lush character of the area, is joyful and exciting.