• Wadi Gaza, a wetland area in the central Gaza Strip. All photos: AFP
    Wadi Gaza, a wetland area in the central Gaza Strip. All photos: AFP
  • The road meandering towards Gaza Valley is notorious for the stench of pollution choking the plant and animal life that once flourished in the Palestinian enclave's biggest wetland.
    The road meandering towards Gaza Valley is notorious for the stench of pollution choking the plant and animal life that once flourished in the Palestinian enclave's biggest wetland.
  • Wadi Gaza is an undeveloped natural area which with considerable work could provide the perfect habitat for birds.
    Wadi Gaza is an undeveloped natural area which with considerable work could provide the perfect habitat for birds.
  • The area has now been declared Gaza's first nature reserve, set for a UN-backed, decade long clean-up effort under the territory's Hamas rulers.
    The area has now been declared Gaza's first nature reserve, set for a UN-backed, decade long clean-up effort under the territory's Hamas rulers.
  • Plastic bottles and putrid water have taken the place of trees, flowers and animals.
    Plastic bottles and putrid water have taken the place of trees, flowers and animals.
  • For more than three decades, sewage was pumped straight into Wadi Gaza, areas of which became dumping grounds for household waste and construction debris.
    For more than three decades, sewage was pumped straight into Wadi Gaza, areas of which became dumping grounds for household waste and construction debris.
  • Aware of the health dangers, the local authorities are working to transform the marsh into the first natural park in the Palestinian enclave.
    Aware of the health dangers, the local authorities are working to transform the marsh into the first natural park in the Palestinian enclave.
  • Work has begun to transform the marshlands.
    Work has begun to transform the marshlands.
  • Gaza's poor infrastructure cannot manage the waste produced by a population that has grown rapidly to 2.3 million.
    Gaza's poor infrastructure cannot manage the waste produced by a population that has grown rapidly to 2.3 million.
  • But it is hoped Wadi Gaza will soon move on from being merely a dumping ground to become a flourishing natural wetland for flora and fauna.
    But it is hoped Wadi Gaza will soon move on from being merely a dumping ground to become a flourishing natural wetland for flora and fauna.

MENA

Pollution clean-up to create Gaza's first nature reserve - in pictures

Wetland area in the central Gaza Strip will provide natural habitat for flora and fauna

The National

February 11, 2022

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Updated: February 11, 2022, 11:16 AM
PhotographyGaza