🖊️ By Bassam Al Kantar
Head of Campaign Strategy & Communications
🌿 Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL)
On December 13, 2006, the municipal council of Qoleileh — a small coastal village south of Tyre — made a quiet yet visionary decision. With the passing of Municipal Decision No. 46, they established a marine Hima on plots 762 and 763, marking a bold step toward protecting Lebanon’s rapidly vanishing coastal ecosystems. The decision, rooted in ancient Arab conservation traditions and backed by modern environmental science, was a first-of-its-kind initiative in the region — and one that is now drawing attention far beyond the village borders.
Covering 8,000 square meters of land and extending over 4 kilometers of coastline, Qoleileh’s marine Hima has become a living classroom and sanctuary, blending biodiversity protection, cultural heritage, and community stewardship in one of Lebanon’s most fragile and fascinating coastal stretches.
A Haven for Sea Turtles, Birds, and Marine Life
Photo Credit:
Fadia Jouma
The coastline of Qoleileh is a tapestry of sandy beaches, rocky coves, and freshwater springs, offering a habitat mosaic that is rare in the Eastern Mediterranean. The area is particularly important for endangered sea turtles, including the loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green turtle (Chelonia mydas), which return each year to nest on the beaches.
During nesting season, the night air fills with anticipation. Local residents now know to dim lights and avoid disturbing the shores. “It’s no longer just about conservation,” says Najlaa, a teacher and SPNL community liaison in Qoleileh. “It’s about respect — for life, for nature, and for our future.”
Migratory birds, too, find refuge here. With the convergence of marine, agricultural, and freshwater habitats, Qoleileh is a strategic stopover on the African-Eurasian Flyway, attracting species like Eurasian hoopoes, bee-eaters, marsh harriers, and even the elusive European roller. Locals have joined birdwatching walks, learned species identification, and even crafted small eco-tours to welcome visitors.
A Hima Rooted in History, Revived by the Present
The term Hima (حِمى) hails from the Arabian Peninsula, once used by tribes to designate protected areas where nature could regenerate and communities could manage shared resources. SPNL, in partnership with local municipalities, has breathed new life into this age-old approach. In Qoleileh, the Hima isn’t a fenced-off reserve — it’s a shared space, grounded in community rights, traditional knowledge, and modern conservation science.
“People protect what they love. And they love what they know,” says Assad Serhal, Director General of SPNL. “By giving communities ownership over conservation, we’re not only preserving nature — we’re preserving identity.”
Qoleileh’s Hima is not isolated. In 2008, a similar marine Hima was established in neighboring Mansouri, reinforcing the ecological continuity of the coastline. Together, these two villages are creating a southern coastal corridor for conservation, a model that SPNL and its partners hope to replicate across Lebanon.
History, Heritage, and Hope
Beyond its natural riches, Qoleileh is steeped in cultural and spiritual significance. Visitors can explore landmarks like the Shrine of Prophet Imran, believed to be an important religious site, and other nearby archaeological remains that whisper stories of past civilizations.
SPNL is working with the municipality to link these historical elements with eco-tourism, offering immersive experiences that combine heritage trails, local food tastings, and environmental education. For many visitors, the magic of Qoleileh lies not just in its landscape, but in the warmth of its people and the authenticity of its story.
Education and Empowerment in Action
Local schools are now incorporating Hima-related themes into their curriculum. Children are learning about biodiversity, climate resilience, and sustainable fishing practices — often from their own parents and grandparents. The Homat Al Hima (Guardians of the Hima) initiative has trained youth in biodiversity monitoring, photography, and advocacy, creating a new generation of eco-leaders.
“I used to think nature was something far away, something for scientists,” says Ali, a 15-year-old student. “Now I know that protecting nature starts right here, with me.”
Qoleileh’s Legacy
What began as a municipal resolution in 2006 has become a beacon of grassroots environmentalism in Lebanon. At a time when the country faces mounting ecological threats — from coastal erosion to unregulated construction — Qoleileh offers a model of what is possible when local governance, civil society, and community will come together.
In Qoleileh, conservation is not a top-down directive. It’s a lived, breathing tradition — one that speaks through the flight of birds, the rhythm of turtle flippers on sand, and the quiet determination of a community that chose to protect its home.
And in doing so, they’ve shown the rest of the world that the future of Lebanon’s coast can be written by its people — one Hima at a time.
