Preserving
On the outskirts of Nes Tziona, a southern suburb of Tel Avivthere is a nature area, popularly known as the Giv’at Ha’irusim (Iris Hill). In addition to being one of the few remaining green areas in the general sprawl of Greater Tel Aviv-Rishon L’Tzion -Rehovoth area, it is one one of the few places remaining in Israel with significant numbers of a spectacular local Purple Iris (Iris atropurpurea).
This site has been a popular recreational area for the residents of the region for decades and is one of the few available picnic areas for local families to spend free time together outdoors in a pleasant environment. In addition, in the spring, when the iris is in blossom, Israelis from the entire country flock to this location to see this amazingly beautiful flower.
Recently, several factors have disturbed the equilibrium and threaten the future of the site: Youths with all terrain vehicles have criss-crossed the region with their noisy dirt bikes, and have totally upset the natural setting on the hill and the experience for visitors. Recently, a much more irreversible threat has emerged to this lovely quiet corner of Israel. Local builders have targeted this botanically important site for the construction of several high-rise apartment developments.
A local citizen’s group – The Forum for the Kurkar Hills of Nes Tsiona - has been formed to preserve this site as a recreation spot for its citizens, and the Tal Fund has provided support for legal and other expenses to preserve an important Green area in the region. They have begun to educate visitors about the situation, consider litigation to enjoin development and to propose a legal alternative for planning authorities that would conserve the site in perpetuity. In view of the environmentally important nature of this particular site the neighborhood group is also trying to have this hill declared as a national botanic site, in which case no further development at that location could then take place.
Contact: Naor Yerushalmi
EMAIL: naor@sviva.net