Every year during the holidays, thousands of Israelis visit the nature reserves and gardens all over the country. During last Passover (2022) more than a million Israelis hiked in the nature reserves, but 22 people needed rescue and assistance. In order to ensure that you travel safely and return safely and on the way you preserve the flora and fauna this Passover (2023) we have compiled for you , together with the Nature and Parks Authority, seven key rules for a safe trip:
1. Plan ahead
Learn in advance the nature of the route and make sure it is suitable for the age of the travelers and their physical fitness. Give up the trip on Shrev days and on days when there is a risk of flooding.
2. Equip accordingly
With an up-to-date map of the route, a sufficient amount of water and food, appropriate clothing, walking shoes, sunscreen, a hat on your head and a mobile phone with a full battery.
video-credit">Video: Avdat National Park. Photo: Rinat Russo, Nature and Parks Authority
3. Walk only during daylight hours
Plan the trip in such a way that it ends before dark. If you are caught in the dark, stop where you are, stay on the route and call for help on the phone.
4. Stay on the marked path
Walk only on a marked path as it appears on current maps and according to the marking and signage instructions on the route.
5. We informed others about the trip before the route
Leave a note on your car window with details about the route, your contact details, the number of travelers and an approximate schedule of the route.
6. Protect yourself and nature as well
Take the waste with you, including the wipes and toilet paper so as not to harm the wildlife. Avoid burning the toilet paper for fear of fires. Keep your distance from the wild animals and do not feed them.
7. Drive carefully
The open areas used for hiking and recreation in nature are the habitat of many wild animals. They move in space in search of water, food and protection. They often cross roads and may be killed in collisions with vehicles. During the holiday period when the traffic of vehicles on the roads leading to the nature sites increases – the danger of being trampled by wild animals also increases. A collision with an animal also endangers you, the driver, and those in the vehicle. On this holiday, we act responsibly and carefully to protect the wild animals and us.
video-credit">Video: Tel Arad National Park. Photo: Yuval Dex
“Over the years, we have unfortunately seen that ignoring these instructions often leads to cases of injury and rescue of hikers in nature reserves and national parks that could definitely have been prevented,” says Mezi Magnaji Moskovitz, director of information at the Nature and Parks Authority. “For this reason, we operate throughout the year and especially during this period through a variety of channels in order to convey to travelers the important messages and rules of safe travel. Adherence to the rules of safe travel is extremely important and saves lives. For the sake of travelers during this period, we also continue to set up information and information stations at the entrance to dozens of travel routes “.
In case you come across puppies or chicks, do not pick them up or take them even if they seem to be abandoned, because the puppies stay in the area while the mother goes out to look for food. In the event that the animal is in danger, please report to the Nature and Parks Authority call center and report *3639 and they will arrive to provide the best care.
