)
Gazelle Valley (Hebrew: עמק הצבאים, translit: Emek Hatzva'im), previously known as the Pri Har Valley, is an open space of 260 dunams in the heart of Jerusalem, Israel, on the edge of the Givat Mordechai neighborhood, opposite the busy Patt Intersection.[1]
History
)
Gazelle Valley is named for a herd of about 55 gazelles of the subspecies Gazella gazella gazella that live in this area, bounded by urban development. Real estate developers have sought building rights in the area, but the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI) and local activists have fought to preserve the natural surroundings.[2] After lengthy court battles, the Jerusalem Municipality has drawn up plans to turn the area into a public park and nature reserve.[1] The Jerusalem Development Authority pledged ₪8 million in funding toward the park.[3]
In January 2013, work began on the park, which is described as Israel’s first urban nature reserve,[4] which opened in March 2015.[5]
The Gazelle Valley has become one of the best and most accessible places to see a variety of wildlife in their natural behavior. Several endangered species other than Gazelles live in the Gazelle Valley, as a result of the opening of a small pond in the middle of the valley.
See also
- Wildlife in Israel
- Tourism in Israel
- Wildlife corridor
References
- ^ a b Kaitholil, Girish. "Mountain gazelles of the Gazelle Valley in Jerusalem – an urban nature reserve -Kaitholil.com". Kaitholil.com. Archived from the original on 2019-01-21. Retrieved 2019-01-11.
- ^ http://www.sustainable-jerusalem.org/old_site/jerusaleme/envir3.html Sustainable Jerusalem Coalition
- ^ Hasson, Nir (24 September 2012). "Jerusalem approves budget for 'Gazelle Valley' park". Haaretz. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
- ^ "Jerusalem's first urban nature reserve breaks ground". Archived from the original on 2014-07-25. Retrieved 2013-02-23.
- ^ Jaffee-Hoffman, Maayan (3 November 2016). "Galloping Forward". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 4 November 2016.