In January 12- 2024 ,Homat Al Hima International Centre (HHIC) engaged in a collaborative effort to bolster conservation initiatives by visiting Minister Wael Bou Faour, a distinguished parliamentarian representing West Bekaa and Rashya Zone and a fervent advocate for environmental causes. The meeting provided a platform for HHIC to introduce Minister Bou Faour to the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) and highlight the pivotal role played by the Hima concept and Hima Program.
During the visit, the HHIC team shared insights into the Hima concept, a traditional model intertwining environmental preservation with community development. Success stories from Hima initiatives underscored the positive impact on local communities and the broader ecosystem.
A significant focus of the discussion centered around the EU Bio Connect Program, strategically aimed at fostering connectivity between key reserves in the region. Emphasis was placed on Minister Bou Faour’s crucial role in facilitating the connection between Souf Reserve and Mont Harmon Reserve, envisioning an ecological corridor with substantial benefits for the local community and biodiversity.
The team also briefed Minister Bou Faour on the activities of the Fish and Wildlife Unit, highlighting its vital role in conservation efforts within the West Bekaa zone and around the Litani Basin. The unit’s work, ranging from habitat preservation to species protection, significantly contributes to maintaining the delicate balance of the local ecosystem.
Minister Bou Faour commended HHIC’s dedication to conservation and sustainable development. The discussions underscored a commitment to collaboration between SPNL, HHIC, and the Ministry, with a focus on potential future initiatives and the minister’s continued support for environmental causes.
The visit represents a pivotal step towards fostering partnerships that transcend boundaries, connecting communities, reserves, and advocates for a shared vision of a harmonious and sustainable future. Minister Wael Bou Faour’s dual role as a parliamentarian and environmental advocate positions him as a key player in driving positive change, garnering appreciation from the HHIC team for his valuable insights and support.
BioConnect is an EU funded project that aims to ensure effective management and governance at sites of ecological importance and expending biodiversity protection in southern Lebanon.
Homat Al Hima is a capacity building program for youth aiming to empower the local communities to better manage and support their Hima sites.
#EUBioConnect4Lebanon
The European Union supports Lebanon’s stability, independence and sovereignty, its prosperity and democratic order. It strives also to help protect its environment and natural resources by supporting sustainable enterprise and development.
Find out more about the EU’s work in Lebanon or follow it on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @EUinLebanon
