Fact Sheet about Al-Auja Spring Reserve

Jericho-Ma'an-The Environment Quality Authority issued a fact sheet about the Auja Spring Reserve, north of the city of Jericho on the eastern border of the northern governorates, to highlight the importance of the spring, which forms part of the components of the natural and environmental system in Palestine, and faces a real danger due to the practices of the Israeli occupation. In the city of Jericho, the "Auja Spring" or "Ain Al-Auja" as it is also known, flows in the northern area of ??the city within the Auja Nature Reserve, forming a natural and vital source of fresh water in the region, and the reserve (Auja) forms part of the environmental and social system in the Jericho and Jordan Valley Governorate. Geographical location: The Auja Spring is located 11 kilometers northeast of Jericho, close to the Jordan River, which is located to the east of the site and to the north of the town of Nuweimah in Jericho. The spring water flows from the foothills of the northern governorates towards the east, rea ching Wadi Al-Auja, which is considered part of the natural valleys in the region. the description The Auja Spring Reserve is a model of natural reserves characterized by fresh water and natural plants that are able to withstand high temperatures and drought. The presence of the water spring that draws water through geological formations, layers of earth and various rocks that pass water from areas such as the village of Kafr Malik in the Ramallah and Al-Bireh Governorate, to pass to the Upper and Lower Auja area to flow into water channels that feed the Auja Valley, which is surrounded by palm trees, jujubes and oaks, and is spread with various wild herbs and plants. Environmental importance Due to its proximity to the western bank of the Jordan River, the reserve is characterized by a diverse climate (desert and Jordan Valley climate). The spring contributes to supporting local biodiversity as it provides a suitable environment for habitats for plants and animals. The spring contributes to maintaining t he ecological balance in the region by providing the first element of life, which is water, necessary for local plants and animals. The reserve is home to rich biodiversity and a major source of fresh water in the Jordan Valley region. Many farmers rely on the spring water to irrigate their crops, such as citrus trees, palm trees and various vegetables. The reserve is an important area for bird watching, as various types of migratory birds pass through it and many types of resident birds nest there. Among the birds and animals are (the Palestine sunbird - the national bird of the State of Palestine, the kestrel, the bee-eater, the hoverfly, the Palestine mountain gazelle, the rock hyrax, the striped hyena) and among the plants are (the wild carnation, the Safa iris, the Ghor iris and the wild eggplant). This is why it is a unique tourist destination that attracts visitors from all over the world, as it allows them the opportunity to enjoy the picturesque nature and practice various recreational activities , such as hiking, as the path extends across the eastern slopes, starting from Ain Samiya to Ain Al-Auja. Environmental challenges (Pollution, overexploitation, climate change, settler attacks, waste dumping) The spring/Ain Al-Auja faces various challenges such as the problem of pollution resulting from human activities in the area, and the excessive use of spring water which leads to a decline in the water level, affecting the balance of the ecosystem. Climate change also affects the amount of rain that falls on the watersheds that feed the spring, causing periods of drought during the year, leading to a decline in the amount of water flow and even drying up in some parts of the spring. The area faces a real danger from Israeli occupation practices, such as land confiscation and settlement construction, which threaten to destroy the natural environment and dry up the spring. Recent developments The area has recently witnessed incursions by Israeli settlers into the spring's watercourse, and they dumpe d settlement waste into the spring's watercourse with the aim of polluting it and depriving Palestinians of benefiting from it and taking walks in its surroundings. They also painted the flag of the occupying state on the channel through which the water from the main spring flows. Health and environmental damage Various pollution operations, such as dumping waste and placing it in spring water, pose a danger to citizens' health and an environmental hazard, and violate the laws of the World Health Organization, international humanitarian law, and the International Convention on Biological Diversity, which is an international treaty aimed at preserving biological diversity and its sustainable use. Violation of international law The practices of the Israeli occupation and its settlers in the region and in the natural reserve areas in the northern governorates constitute a flagrant violation of the provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity, which obligates member states to preserve this diversity and ensure the continuity of species and ecosystems. Natural resource The nature reserve was one of the most important tributaries of the Jordan River before the Israeli control over it. The reserve forms part of the Palestinian natural heritage, and its spring is a lifeline for the city of Jericho and its residents. What has been happening to it recently by the colonists confirms the colonial mentality of the Israeli settlers, and their relentless pursuit of stealing natural resources and destroying the Palestinian environment. Source: Maan News Agency