Important Bird Areas-IBAs: Bentael Forest Nature Reserve

 

Location: In the hills just east of the town of Jbail, on the coast north of Beirut.

 

Total area: 150 ha

Bentael Reserve overlap IBA-PA

IBA Criteria met: B1iv

 

Explanation: There is an estimate annual autumn passage of soaring birds exceeding 3000, including White Pelican, Common Crane, European Honey-buzzard and Levant Sparrowhawk. Number of species observed: 62

 

Habitat: A steep sided valley mostly covered with dense woodland (Oak, Pine), and Strawberry Tree with some steep cliffs and caves.

 

Other wildlife interest: Mammals including Wild Boar, Persian Squirrel, Red Fox and Porcupine

Bentael Forest Nature Reserve Map Lebanon

Threats: Deliberate persecution of birds, garbage dumping, Loss of habitat/ development, deforestation and Fire in areas of the forest which fall outside the reserve.

 

Current conservation measures & future plans: Northern side of the valley is protected as the “Bentael Nature Reserve” – hunting and garbage dumping banned, foot access in the nature reserve is limited to designated trails.

 

 Download BENTAEL NATURE RESERVE HIKING TRAILS (Arabic Leaflet)

Al Hima Magazine 5th Issue

This edition of Al Hima magazine weaves together inspiring stories of nature conservation and community resilience, highlighting how Lebanon is being stitched back to life—one Hima at a time. The Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) continues its mission to preserve the country’s natural heritage by empowering local communities. A cornerstone of this effort is the BioConnect project, funded by the European Union, which has achieved three national firsts: Lebanon’s first natural park (Upper Matn), first geological park (Shouf-Jezzine), and first endowment Hima (Btekhnay).

Read Previous issues

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