As Israel and Jews around the world head to the stores to buy chametz, the persons responsible for Israel’s national parks are busy addressing the hundreds of tons of trash left behind by chol hamoed visitors.

According to Jewish National Fund (JNF) officials, some 1.2 million people visited Israel’s parks during Pesach, representing 10% more than last year. The visitors left behind an estimated 500 tons of trash in parks and forestry areas.

According to JNF information, 700,000 people visited the Kinneret during Yomtov, with some opting to remain until motzei Shabbos to observe the Maimouna post-Pesach event.

Beaches were also littered without mercy and in all the areas mentioned, post-Pesach cleanup is underway.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)