The Kishon River was once a notorious dumping ground for seven chemical plants, with the result that the entire ecosystem died and the river was even blamed for causing cancer in soldiers (though that has never been proven conclusively).
In recent years, the Ministry of Environmental Protection has initiated what they refer to as a “master plan” to clean up the Kishon River, starting with putting a firm grip on chemical plants that were dumping sewage into the river.
Now, years later, the Ministry has released a report that the river is approaching a state of rehabilitation. The Kishon River Authority is developing parks and hiking and biking trails along the banks of the river in a move to attract tourists to the once forbidden spot.
Even more interesting, though, is that the Authority is working to restore the fauna that once populated the river, such as the soft turtle and freshwater snail.Recently, as if to celebrate the healing of the Kishon River, a new bike trail was inaugurated along its banks with a formal ceremony.
With all the bad news that is constantly circulating about our environment, it’s heartening to hear a rebirth story like this one. Not all ecosystems can be saved, and it’s not yet certain that the Kishon can be restored to what it was. But a little resurrection is better than none at all.
[…] can jump in without alarm, Israeli rivers are all too toxic to swim in. Most toxic of all is the Kishon River. The Kishon was once a notorious dumping ground for seven chemical plants, with the result that […]
Is it true that Israels solution to the polluting of the Kishon is to build a pipeline dumpimg industrial waste into the sea? Can anyone believe that this is a serious solution.
I still wouldn’t let my dog swim in it…