World Nature Conservation Day: What it Means in Palestine

Today is World Nature Conservation Day which holds profound significance in Palestine, a region rich in natural beauty but facing severe environmental challenges. This day serves as a vital reminder of the need to preserve and protect our planet's resources, highlighting both the resilience and the struggles of Palestinian communities in their conservation efforts.

At Mashjar Juthour, a conservation site located in Ramallah, we are dedicated to protecting the natural heritage through various initiatives, including our income generation project, Handmade Palestine.

Since acquiring the land in April 2013, our vision has been to create an arboretum and eco-park. This space serves as a safe haven for preservation and community gatherings, offering a place of natural beauty and tranquility. It stands resilient in an environment increasingly threatened by human activities.

As we enter the second stage of our environmental activism, we invite you to join us. Whether you are a volunteer, a teacher with students, a family, or an expert in environmental fields, your participation can make a significant difference. Together, we can advance our mission of conservation and education.

However, we must also recognize the severe environmental impact of Israel's devastating war on Gaza. The conflict has rendered much of the area uninhabitable, with farms and land devastated, trees razed, and Gaza's ecosystem severely damaged. Contaminated air and water have further decimated the region's natural environment, making it unliveable.

World Nature Conservation Day in Palestine is more than a call to action; it is a recognition of the enduring connection between the Palestinian people and their land. It underscores the importance of preserving natural resources for future generations, despite the immense challenges posed by the Israeli occupation, conflict and political instability.