Hula Lake - Israel's First Nature Reserve

Buffalos at Hula marshes (1930's)

Hula Lake was a 3,500 acres freshwater lake in north-eastern Israel, at what is known as the Hula Valley. It was a part of the Jordan River system and it was known as an important stop for migrating birds on their annual route from Europe to Africa and back. In the writings of Jewish-Roman historian Josephus, Lake Hula is mentioned under the name – Semachonites, during the Roman era.

With the establishment of the state of Israel, it was decided to drain the lake, which was surrounded with Malaria infested swamps – resulted by centuries of decline in its water level. And so, the draining process which began in 1951 ended in 1958 with only a small portion of the lake left, thanks to the protests of environmental activists which warned against changes of the ecological balance. With the completion of the lake's draining, many species that had once lived there had become extinct.

In 1964, the surviving 800 acre Hula Lake was officially declared Israel’s first Nature Reserve.

Today, observation points located at Hula Nature Reserve provide scientists and tourists with a spectacular view, of millions of birds from over 200 species, which migrate from cold Europe to warm Africa during the autumn, and back to Europe during spring time.

INPA (Israel Nature and Parks Authority) also operates at the reserve with ongoing efforts to introduce lost species back to their habitat.

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