Wadi Qelt

Wadi Qelt

Wadi Qelt, known in Hebrew as Nahal Prat and formerly as Naḥal Faran, is a remarkable valley and riverine gulch located in the West Bank. It has its origin near Jerusalem and flows into the Jordan River near Jericho, just before the Jordan River meets the Dead Sea. The wadi is renowned for its natural, biblical, and archaeological attractions, offering visitors a well-preserved natural environment and a diverse bird population. The stream flowing through the valley, which cuts through the limestone of the Judean Mountains, is fed by three perennial springs, each with both Arabic and Hebrew names. The largest spring, known as 'Ayn Farah in Arabic and En Prat in Hebrew, is located at the head of the valley. Moving along the valley, the 'Ayn Fawar/En Mabo'a spring is situated in the center, followed by the single-named Qelt spring a bit farther downstream. In Hebrew, the entire stream is referred to as Prat, while in Arabic, each section has its own name: Wadi Fara for the upper part, Wadi Fawar for the middle section, and Wadi Qelt for the lower part. Wadi Qelt is home to a unique and diverse array of flora and fauna. Spanning across 15,000 hectares, the site has been designated as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International due to its support of various bird species such as Eurasian Eagle-Owls, Griffon Vultures, Bonelli's Eagles, and Lesser Kestrels. The ecological significance of Wadi Qelt is underscored by its capacity to sustain these bird populations, making it an important area for conservation efforts.