Twenty years ago, KKL-JNF created an artificial lake in order to reduce the water pollution at the Sea of the Galilee and preserve the soil that allows agriculture at the Hula Valley. In celebration of 20 years to the creation of the lake, KKL-JNF presents rare photographs that show the rehabilitation process of the Hula Valley and how it became one of the most important nature sites in the history of Israel.
The photographs capture the essence of the Hula Lake, presenting the extraordinary change that the lake went through over the years. Forty years after drying the Hula, KKL-JNF decided began controlled flooding of soils that were exposed during the drying, after it turned out that they were not fit for agriculture, and that their environmental benefits would be increased in an attempt to prevent polluting the water of the Sea of the Galilee. The project cost 80 million ILS, and it was completed after two years of controlled flooding.
The rehabilitation efforts brought migrating birds back to the area, including cranes and pelicans, as well as rebirth of the local flora and fauna. The site is an evidence of nature's ability to heal itself, given the opportunity to do so. Today, the Hula Lake Park is a unique eco-tourism site, offering its visitors from Israel and the rest of the world a rare nature experience and used as a house and migration spot for over 500 million species of water birds, raptors and songbirds.
The KKL-JNF archive photographs in the exhibition show key moments in the development of the Hula Lake – from the initial stages of the rehabilitation of the valley to the colorful landscape of today. These photographs not only show the change in the lake but also remind us of the importance of preserving the lake, which became a thriving spot with an impressive biological diversity of flora and fauna.
Efi Naim, KKL-JNF's manager of the Hula Lake area: "We are glad for the opportunity to celebrate 20 years to the creation of the Hula Lake by KKL-JNF. The lake is a true model for Zionism, the love of the land of Israel and making the wilderness bloom. The lake is an essential element of the Israeli eco-system. It filters and purifies the air we breathe, and its success provides inspiration for future preservation projects throughout the world. We will continue to serve the people of Israel and wildlife, and keep the site thriving."