Botanist Banan al-Sheikh Ramallah – Emtiaz al-Moghrabi Desertification is fast-approaching for Palestine, the botanist Banan al-Sheikh told Arabstoday. The decline of vegetation, the building of settlements and an intensive agriculture are gradually degrading the eco-system .  
Banan al-Sheikh said: “Over-pumping ground water has led to a serious drought. Palestine is heading towards desertification.
“Various factors are to be taken into account to explain this phenomenon: many underestimate the importance of vegetation, urbanisation is expanding at random, farmers are using pesticides excessively, and the apartheid wall has destroyed a vast area of agricultural land.”
Palestine has a wealth of vegetation which is now threatened. The country hosts not less than 2600 different types of plant: Persian thyme, hawthorn, wild roses, and many other species that are unique in the world.
The botanist continued: “We have many non-indigenous varieties – such as amber -- since Palestine was the place where different civilisations met. Aquatic species are currently at risk because of the drought.
“There are a number of people who claim to know about the environment when they actually don’t have a clue about Palestine’s vegetation and rare species.”
Al-Sheikh explained that not many people specialised in botany: “It is a very difficult subject.”
The botanist has already published two books, one of them being a flora guide in Palestine.
When questioned about Palestinian plants growing abroad, the botanist said: “The Dutch took some Palestinian lilies a century ago. They are now the first producer in the world, and the specie is almost extinct in Palestine.
“Awareness must be raised to protect our plants, through education and the media. Those who destroy our eco-system must be punished.”