Kefraya, a village nestled in the heart of the Bekaa Valley and best known for its vineyards and sweeping agricultural plains, has taken a bold step toward environmental stewardship. In July 2025, the Municipal Council of Kefraya issued an official decree declaring its territory a Hima—Lebanon’s 36th community-designated protected area under the revitalized Hima concept, championed by the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL).
With this declaration, Kefraya joins a growing movement that blends tradition and modern conservation—reclaiming a centuries-old Arab model of resource management and environmental harmony.
A Revival Rooted in Heritage
The Hima system, which dates back over 1,500 years, is derived from an ancient Arabic term meaning “protected place.” Traditionally, it referred to areas set aside by communities for the sustainable use of natural resources—be it grazing land, water sources, or forests. Unlike top-down conservation models, the Hima was rooted in local governance and collective responsibility.
SPNL, a pioneering Lebanese environmental NGO and the BirdLife International partner in Lebanon, has breathed new life into this heritage by reviving the Hima as a community-based approach to conservation. Since the early 2000s, SPNL has worked with municipalities across Lebanon to reintroduce the Hima model, adapting it to contemporary environmental challenges while preserving its ethical and communal roots.
“The Hima is not just a conservation model; it’s a philosophy of coexistence with nature, based on shared values, ancestral knowledge, and participatory governance,” explains Assad Serhal, Director General of SPNL and Chair of BirdLife Middle East.
Kefraya’s Commitment
The declaration of Kefraya as a Hima reflects a growing recognition among local authorities that ecological sustainability and rural prosperity go hand in hand. The municipal decree lays the foundation for conserving the area’s biodiversity, safeguarding its natural springs, and promoting the sustainable use of agricultural and forested lands.
Kefraya’s Hima will focus on protecting native flora and fauna, combating land degradation, and fostering eco-friendly practices such as organic farming, eco-tourism, and birdwatching. Initial plans include setting up community trainings, biodiversity monitoring programs, and school-based nature education—all in partnership with SPNL.
Crucially, the municipality’s leadership emphasized the role of youth and women in shaping the future of the Hima, echoing SPNL’s inclusive model that promotes environmental awareness, empowerment, and livelihoods.
Part of a Growing Network
Kefraya’s move brings the total number of SPNL-recognized Himas in Lebanon to 36, forming a mosaic of protected areas that span the coast, highlands, wetlands, and inland valleys. From Hammana to Anjar, Kayfoun to Ebel es-Saqi, each Hima represents a unique ecological and cultural landscape, managed by its people for the benefit of future generations.
These Himas are more than conservation sites—they are catalysts for resilience. They provide alternatives to urban migration, revive local economies, and preserve cultural identity in the face of mounting environmental stress and political uncertainty.
Lebanon’s Himas have also gained international recognition. In 2023, several of these areas were officially listed in the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA), a milestone that reflects the global value of locally led conservation efforts.
The Way Forward
SPNL’s model is grounded in the belief that conservation is most effective when it is community-driven. In the case of Kefraya, the road ahead involves defining the Hima’s boundaries, conducting ecological assessments, and co-developing action plans with residents, farmers, and local institutions.
The broader vision is to create a living landscape—where traditional knowledge and scientific research work hand in hand; where economic opportunity grows from environmental protection; and where young people see nature not as something to exploit, but something to steward.
“The strength of the Hima is its ability to adapt,” Serhal notes. “Every village brings its own story, its own priorities, its own rhythm. Kefraya now adds a new verse to this collective song of conservation.”
One Hima, Many Lessons
As Lebanon grapples with political instability and economic hardship, initiatives like the Hima offer a hopeful countercurrent. They remind us that solutions often begin at the local level—with a council meeting, a community walk, a shared commitment.
In declaring its land a Hima, Kefraya has chosen to invest in its natural heritage and the wellbeing of its people. It has joined a movement that believes in the power of ancient wisdom, the strength of local governance, and the promise of sustainable coexistence.
One Hima at a time, Lebanon is reweaving its relationship with nature—through tradition, resilience, and collective care.
