Peace Parks - a concrete first step to rehabilitating the Jordan River
One of FoEME's main priority areas has been the rehabilitation of the Jordan River Valley. Sadly, excessive diversion and pollution of the Jordan River have left it little more than a sewage channel. At FoEME we believe that as long as the public is denied access to the river bank, the river will continue to be polluted and local residents will be denied the opportunity to develop the area for tourism. Our recent awareness campaign, Let the Jordan River Flow, aims to bring local, national and international attention to these issues and promote peace and prosperity for the Jordan River Valley and its residents.
FoEMEs research has identified two areas especially rich with historical, natural and cultural heritage. The first area is located at the northern section of the Lower Jordan Valley from the Bakoora / Peace Island to the Three Bridges / Gesher site. The second, near the Jericho area, at the baptism site of "Kaser el Yehud" and "Bethany Beyond the Jordan" in the south of the Valley near the Dead Sea.
FoEME is currently exploring the possibility of transforming the northern area, on both sides of the Jordan River, into a "Transboundary Protected Area," more commonly known as a "Peace Park".
A Transboundary Protected Area, as defined by the World Conservation Union (IUCN), is a protected area that spans across boundaries of multiple countries, where the political borders that are enclosed within its area are abolished. This includes removal of all forms of physical boundaries allowing free movement of people and animals within the area. A boundary around the area may however be maintained to prevent unauthorized border crossing. Such areas are also known as Peace Parks.
Peace Parks are transboundary protected areas that are formally dedicated to the protection and management of biological diversity, natural and associated cultural resources and the promotion of peace and cooperation. The parks encourage regulated tourism, sustainable development and goodwill between neighboring countries.