Lebanon’s Hima Network is a vital conservation initiative that protects biodiversity, habitats, and cultural heritage while empowering local communities through sustainable environmental practices. The Hima approach, revived by the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL), is a community-based conservation model that strengthens the relationship between people and nature.
33 Hima sites spanning Akkar, Bekaa, Keserwan, Mount Lebanon, South Lebanon, and the West Bekaa, these protected areas play a crucial role in preserving Lebanon’s natural resources and supporting ecotourism, sustainable agriculture, and wildlife conservation.
BioConnect: Supporting and Funding Lebanon’s Hima Networks
The expansion and sustainability of Lebanon’s Hima conservation efforts are made possible through BioConnect, a program dedicated to strengthening biodiversity conservation and ecological resilience. Through financial support, technical expertise, and capacity building, BioConnect enables local communities to take ownership of conservation efforts, ensuring long-term environmental and social benefits.
Expanding the Hima Network Across Lebanon
Akkar: Conservation in Northern Lebanon
The Akkar region, rich in biodiversity, is home to several Hima sites, including:
🌿 Andket (2012) – Covering 52 hectares, Andket’s conservation efforts focus on sustainable land use and biodiversity protection.
🌿 Mengez (2014) – A significant 49-hectare site contributing to local conservation and community-driven sustainability.
🌿 Rouaime-Al-Maabour Al-Abyad (2009) – A 33-hectare site with a dedicated management plan to safeguard its natural resources.
Koura: Coastal and Inland Preservation
🌊 Anfeh (2017) – Spanning 728 hectares, this coastal Hima site plays a crucial role in marine conservation and sustainable fisheries.
West Bekaa: Protecting Wetlands and Agricultural Lands
The West Bekaa hosts several critical Hima sites that support wetland ecosystems and bird migration routes, including:
🐦 Kherbet Anafar (2014) – A 328-hectare site dedicated to the protection of water resources and avian habitats.
🌊 Qaroun (2014) – Covering 306 hectares, Qaroun’s conservation focus includes wetland management and ecotourism.
🌿 Ain Zebdeh (2014) – A 45-hectare site contributing to forest preservation.
🌾 Aitanit (2017) – A newly established conservation area supporting local environmental initiatives.
Central Bekaa: Hima for Bird and Habitat Conservation
🦅 Kfar Zabad (2004) – A 2-hectare wetland sanctuary known for its rich bird diversity and eco-tourism activities.
🌍 Anjar (2008) – A 554-hectare site that integrates conservation, agriculture, and cultural heritage protection.
Northern Bekaa: Expanding Large-Scale Conservation
🌳 Fakiha (2013) – One of the largest Hima sites in Lebanon, covering 5,914 hectares with active community involvement.
🌿 Charbine (2014) – A 364-hectare conservation area contributing to reforestation and habitat restoration.
🌾 West Baalback (2018) – A 5,960-hectare Hima site focused on sustainable land use and biodiversity conservation.
South Lebanon: Community-Led Environmental Protection
🌱 Qaytouli (2013) – A 75-hectare Hima site supporting community-based conservation efforts.
🌳 Roum (2014) – A 100-hectare site dedicated to forest restoration and local community engagement.
🦜 Ebel es-Saqi (2004) – A bird conservation sanctuary, protecting avian species in South Lebanon.
🌾 Qoleileh (2006) – A 1-hectare protected coastal site contributing to marine biodiversity conservation.
🌊 Mansouri (2008) – A key turtle conservation site safeguarding Lebanon’s marine ecosystems.
🏰 Arnoun (2018) – A historically significant Hima covering 0.3 hectares, protecting both cultural and natural heritage.
Mount Lebanon: A Growing Conservation Landscape
Mount Lebanon is home to several Hima sites that balance conservation with cultural and agricultural preservation:
🌲 Tarchish (2015) – A 50-hectare Hima site promoting reforestation and eco-tourism.
🌳 Akoura (2017) – One of the largest Hima sites, covering 8,000 hectares of forested land.
🦋 Kayfoun (2017) – A 5-hectare site incorporating the Quranic Garden and the Butterfly Garden, supporting pollinators and native plant species.
🌍 Hammana (2018) – A 50-hectare conservation site integrating local community-driven conservation initiatives.
🌿 Ras Al Maten (2018) – A 400-hectare Hima site fostering sustainable forest management.
🌾 Kfar Matta (2019) – A newly established conservation area enhancing local eco-tourism and reforestation efforts.
🌿 Baakleen (2022), Jdeidet Chouf (2022), Baysour (2023), Souk Charb (2023), and Aabadieh (2024) – These sites mark the expansion of Hima conservation efforts in Mount Lebanon, promoting sustainable development and ecological resilience.
Bekaa: Strengthening Community Conservation
🌍 Rashaya (2023) & Ain Horshe (2024) – The latest Hima sites in Bekaa, ensuring continued environmental protection in agricultural and natural landscapes.
Hima: A Model for Sustainable Conservation
The Hima conservation model is a people-centered approach that encourages local communities to take ownership of their natural heritage. These protected sites not only safeguard wildlife and biodiversity but also support sustainable agriculture, eco-tourism, and cultural preservation.
Through collaborative management, environmental education, and local engagement, Lebanon’s Hima Network continues to grow, ensuring that future generations can enjoy and benefit from the country’s rich natural landscapes.
How You Can Support the Hima Network
🌱 Get involved – Participate in community-led conservation projects.
🐦 Support ecotourism – Visit Hima sites to experience Lebanon’s unique biodiversity.
🌍 Advocate for conservation – Raise awareness about the importance of protecting natural habitats.
🦜 Join SPNL initiatives – Contribute to Lebanon’s growing conservation movement.
As Lebanon continues to expand its Hima Network, each new site represents a commitment to environmental sustainability, community empowerment, and the protection of the country’s irreplaceable natural heritage. 🌿💚
About BioConnect
BioConnect is a collaborative project funded by the European Union, aiming to ensure effective management and governance of sites of ecological importance and expand biodiversity protection in Southern Lebanon. The initiative brings together four Lebanese partners—Al Shouf Cedar Society (ACS), Association for the Development of Rural Capacities (ADR), Association for Community and Environment (ACE), and the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL)—to work towards enhancing ecosystem health, socio-economic benefits, and community support.
#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
