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Site description (1999 baseline):
Site location and context
It is the oldest residential location in the world which is age estimated to ten thousands of years, it contains Roman and Byzantium ruins and Arabic, Islamic ruins till this day. It is a developing residential region and not a protection area.
Jerico is located in the south part of the depression, and it is of high population density, it is and agricultural region (density agricultural by all the year except in the summer time at which the temperature is so high), it contains tens of vegetables species that are consumed fastly by the people, the pesticides and the organic fertilizers are needed to the agriculture in this region. The agriculture occurs in all the year time because the high temperature characterizes this area during the winter. The water reaches this area from the springs that come from the western part of the city (Jerusalem wilderness).
There are high mountain in Jerico like the mount of temptation that contains the Lesser Kestrel during his journey, and the other raptors, in addition to
This area rich of biodiversity because of the location of the Jordan Valley in the east Part of it, the river is far from Jerico about 1-2 km. There are tens of bird species emigrants and resident and which are important locally and regionally. The region of Jordan Valley is a border region, which is under the control of the Israeli military, so it is considered as one of the indirect protection areas for all of its contents except the use of the wealth of the Dead Sea currently.
There are tens of birds species that nest on the mountains that are located in the western northern part of the city like the Lesser Kestrel, and the Honey Buzzerd that exists in a large amount in this region during the emigration, the White Stork passes the region in a large amount also, the Black Stork passes the region during the winter. There is also some species of Sand Partrige that breed in this area, the Tawny Owl is a resident bird in the center of Jerico city, the Lapwing also residents in Jerico, also that is registered in the eastern southern part of Jerico city, in addition to the Barbary Falcon.
Non-bird biodiversity: Caracal, lynx, mongoose, the wolf, and the hystrix can be founded in this region.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
As a result of pesticide use, a lot of problems arise on some species that live in this region especially the Lesser Kestrel and some raptors species.
The density hunting in the region for some species and the unjust hunting especially for the raptors.
The irregular tourism: thousands of foreign tourists visit this area annually which is affects the wildlife especially the emigrated and the resident birds.
The over use of water resources for the agricultural region, and which is decreases from the water surfaces suitable for the existence of the emigrated birds during the winter.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
Encouraging the organic agriculture although there is new direction for some of Palestinian nongovernmental organizations, which work to change the use of pesticide to the organic use in all the density agricultural stages that are followed in this area. This helps as a part of protection, which is, can be used by the Palestinian authorities.
The regulation of the hunting in this region and punishing every one who is guilty.
To do a comprehensive survey for the region in order to know more information about the wildlife species in this area.
The regulation of land use and encouraging the environmental tourism.
The regulation of water use in this region.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Jericho (Palestine). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/jericho-iba-palestine on 25/11/2024.
