Israels Quarries Get a Face Lift

ANCHOR:
Old quarries are being converted believe it or not into a beautiful parks.
Its part of Israels plan to beautify the environment, making it more
tourist friendly. Lets go to our Israeli team for more on the story.

STORY:

Ramon Crater used to be the site of numerous abandoned quarries. But thats
before the Israeli government decided to go fast forward rehabilitating the
environment.

[Ben Drori, Park Inspector]:
"The goal is not to return everything to its original, natural state before any digging
had taken place, but to take advantage of the areas that have been dug out
to expose various geological finding, a sort of ecological rehabilitation."

The ramon Crater project is a part of a the old quarries rehabilatation plan supported by Israeli Ministry of Infrastructure.

[Dr. Yaakov Mimram, Ministry of Infrastructure]:

"The rehabilitated land of a quarry can be used in a variety of ways. One
area of the quarry had been transformed into parks with different recreation
facilities. Other parts are being used for agriculture and industry."

And this beautiful park in the northern city of Karmiel, used to be a quarry
too, one of 200 quarries that Israel had transformed over the past 30 years.

Here, stones used to be mined to build houses for Israel's rapidly growing
population. But now, it's a peaceful haven for the local community -- a
refuge from the hustle and bustle of the big city.


[Dr. Tal Melman, Project Manager]:
"The design was made to show the special formations that were shaped during
the digging in the quarries, with an addition of green color."

Most of Israel's tree species have grown here since biblical times. Next to
each tree there is a sign displaying its name and the bible verse where it
is mentioned. And down in this deep hole... a tree grows all alone. Well,
not entirely alone... there are always a few cats around to keep it company.

NTD, Israel

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• ntd
• israel
• quarries
• parks
• environment
• tourism
• ecological
• rehabilitation