Green Course Returns Spring of Ein Zahav to Residents of Kiryat Shmona

Posted Mon, 04/12/2010

Over the past 10 years, Ein Zahav, the natural spring which runs through Kiryat Shmona, has been drained by mineral water companies. Unfortunately, the combination of pumping water along with years of drought has taken a toll on Ein Zahav and the community of Kiryat Shmona. 

The park surrounding the Ein Zahav spring is the only park and green area in the city. "When the spring had water, there was an abundance of vegetation and wildlife", says Harel Weiss, Green Course chapter director in Tel Hai, “it was like being in the Banyas in the middle of the city…it is a very unique place.” But now, people no longer come to Park Zahav because as the spring has dried up, so has the surrounding area. 
Three years ago, Green Course formed a coalition of advocates, residents, the local municipality, the ISPNI and others, determined to restore Ein Zahav to its former glory. Thanks to the leadership of Green Course and the hard work of all those involved, the Water Authority has agreed to stop pumping mineral water and to give Ein Zahav back to the residents of Kiryat Shmona. 
But this is not all that Green Course has done. Before the struggle with Ein Zahav, Green Course worked with other environmental organizations to prevent the building of residential houses in the park, which would have destroyed the natural landscape. Green Course is dedicated to preserving this natural area, and will continue to fight for its existence.