Palestinian Shat-ha
Channel: bassam almohor
Date: 2013-08-25

Shat-ha hiking from Der Nizam to Wadi Zarqa west of Ramallah, Palestineز

Shat-ha group was formed in February 2006. The initiative was undertaken by Dr. Saleh Abdel Jawad, a Birzeit University history and political science professor and avid promoter of nature and cultural heritage. He was joined by Ms. Samia Botmeh, an economist, who helped form the group and acts as the group coordinator. Nature walks, the group's weekly ritual, reconnects people with land, promoting general public awareness towards preservation of the beautiful, but sadly endangered, landscape of Palestine.
Shat-ha Group represents a growing trend in Palestine of nature walks as a pastime, promoting general public awareness regarding recreation and athletic exercise. Nature walks are becoming an increasingly popular sport because it meets one's need for independence, self-reliance, originality, and protection of the environment. It is a cultural capital -- an investment in natural and cultural heritage, and its banner is hoisted by "neo-mountaineers and hill climbers" who endeavour to reduce their relations with urban life and its pollution.