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Why was part of the Hula Valley restored as a nature reserve?

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Arid, rugged hills and winding roads in the Jordan Rift Valley, with the Jordan River and a small reservoir visible in the distance. — Jordan River Portion of the Jordan Valley, a rift valley that runs north-south along the Jordan River.

The Hula Valley was partially restored as a nature reserve primarily to address the negative environmental consequences of the large-scale drainage project initiated in the 1950s.12

By the early 1990s, the reclamation of the valley for agriculture had led to significant issues, including sinking groundwater levels and the degradation of soil quality, which rendered some of the newly created farmland unusable. Additionally, parts of the area had become unexpectedly flooded. In response to these environmental challenges, efforts were undertaken to restore a portion of the valley to its original wetland state. This restoration has successfully allowed for the return of various plant and animal species, most notably migratory birds, to the region.12