Under the patronage of the Minister of Environment, Dr. Tamara Elzein, and in the presence of Her Excellency Dr. Marion Weichelt, Ambassador of Switzerland to Lebanon, the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) and the Municipality of Kornayel officially launched Hima Kornayel, part of Lebanon’s first Natural Park.
Funded by Switzerland and implemented with the support of local and international partners, this pioneering initiative revives Lebanon’s traditional “Hima” system of community-based conservation, while aligning with global biodiversity frameworks and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
A National Milestone in Conservation
Hima Kornayel will serve as a sanctuary for biodiversity, migratory birds, and local ecosystems. It advances Lebanon’s target of protecting more than 6% of its territory through a mix of government-designated reserves, community-managed Himas, and natural parks.
Assad Serhal: “Birds cross borders without passports”
SPNL Director General and BirdLife Middle East Chairman, Mr. Assad Serhal, emphasized the park’s symbolic and ecological significance.
“This Natural Park is more than a protected area; it is a message. Birds migrate thousands of kilometers across Europe, Asia, and Africa, and they do so without passports or borders. Their journey teaches us lessons of peace, coexistence, and respect for nature. Just as travelers on highways need rest stops, migratory birds need safe resting places. Lebanon is now providing those sanctuaries.”
Serhal also highlighted the broader legacy of the initiative:
“This park is the fruit of cooperation—between the municipalities, the Ministry of Environment, our Swiss partners, and local communities. It builds on the centuries-old Hima tradition, where communities are custodians of their land. Today, we are reviving that wisdom and giving it new life under the global framework of biodiversity and climate action.”
He further noted Lebanon’s contribution to international targets:
“With Kornayel, Lebanon is adding nearly 70 km² of protected land, bringing us closer to 30% of the national territory under protection. This is not only a Lebanese achievement but also a contribution to global conservation efforts.”
Community Voices and Local Leadership
Mayor Faisal Al-Aawar of Kornayel emphasized the symbolic meaning of his village—“the Horn of God”—as both rooted in heritage and reaching toward the future. He highlighted the Hima as more than history, calling it a “community-managed trust” and a collective responsibility.
“The municipality is not just an institution of papers and bureaucracy; it is a partner with the community and with nature,” he declared.
Despite Lebanon’s economic crisis, water shortages, and conflict-related challenges, Mayor Al-Aawar reaffirmed Kornayel’s determination:
“We are not here to ask for ready-made financial aid. What we need is technical support to translate our vision into reality. If funding is available, it will add value; if not, we as a community are prepared to continue with our own resources.”
The Municipality outlined a vision for sustainability centered on natural resource management, eco-tourism development, and community participation.
Strong International Support
Swiss support, through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), has been pivotal. Ambassador Marion Weichelt praised Lebanon’s environmental leadership and drew parallels with Switzerland’s own landscapes:
“It is our collective responsibility to protect and preserve Lebanon’s natural heritage. Today’s launch is a step towards Lebanon’s 30% protected areas vision by 2030. This park is a model of governance, climate action, and community engagement.”
She stressed that delivering on this vision requires political will, strong institutions, and grassroots participation, linking Kornayel’s launch to climate resilience and national responsibility.
AFDC: Thirty Years of Environmental Stewardship
Representing the Association for Forests, Development and Conservation (AFDC), President Mr. Amine Al Halabi emphasized the environmental significance of Kornayel and the wider Upper Metn region:
“For thirty years, AFDC has worked on critical environmental issues—combating forest fires, reforestation, eco-tourism, environmental education, and women’s empowerment. But today we face escalating threats: climate change, drought, shrinking green spaces, and the lack of incentives for those working in forests and rural areas. These challenges endanger our natural resources and increase risks for future generations.”
He reaffirmed AFDC’s commitment to integrating the Hima model into the Upper Metn Natural Park as a comprehensive framework for sustainable development:
“Through partnerships with municipalities, civil society, and local communities, we aim to ensure that this park becomes not only a conservation success, but also a driver of resilience and prosperity.”
Ministerial Perspective: Harmony Between Humanity and Nature
In her keynote, Minister Dr. Tamara Elzein drew from her years abroad in Paris and Basel, reflecting on the harmony between people and nature she witnessed in Europe:
“We must not treat nature as separate from human society, nor humanity as apart from nature. Our true challenge is to ensure harmony between the two. Planting a tree, protecting a forest, or creating a natural park is not only an ecological action, but also a foundation for social and cultural well-being.”
She underlined Lebanon’s long-standing tradition of Hima stewardship, the urgency of addressing illegal hunting, and the importance of updating legal frameworks. The Minister reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to the global 30×30 biodiversity target while emphasizing that environmental protection is both a right and a necessity.
Celebrating Lebanon’s Natural Heritage
The inauguration concluded with:
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A symbolic release of migratory birds and vultures, representing peace and coexistence beyond borders.
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A community breakfast gathering, honoring local custodians of nature.
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Presentations by SPNL and partners on eco-tourism, renewable energy, and sustainable planning.
Technical Insights and Presentations
The event also featured a technical presentation by Fatima Hayek, Project Manager at SPNL, and Bilal Alaouiyeh, Remote Sensing Specialist, who showcased the scientific basis of the initiative. Using advanced mapping and remote sensing tools, they demonstrated the ecological importance of Qornayel and the Upper Metn region, highlighting biodiversity values, forest cover, and land-use dynamics. Their presentation emphasized how scientific data and community engagement can be combined to ensure that the Hima model evolves into a modern, evidence-based conservation framework.
A Model for the Arab World
With Kornayel as a starting point, Lebanon now hosts the first Natural Park in the Arab world. By blending traditional conservation with modern science, and by empowering local communities, the project stands as a model for sustainable development in Lebanon and across the region.
“For us, the Hima is not a burden but an opportunity—a gift to our children and grandchildren,” Mayor Al-Aawar concluded. “We are proud to carry this experience and share it with others. Welcome to Kornayel, your second home.”
