HHIC Leads Major Planting Event on the Litani River Basin Under the DIMFE Project

As part of the “Reviving the Upper Litani River and Qaraoun Lake” project funded by DIMFE, SPNL’s Homat Al Hima International Center (HHIC) in West Bekaa organized a community planting event along the Litani River Basin, under the activity aimed at strengthening community ownership and participation in environmental restoration efforts.
The event brought together municipal and national leaders, partner organizations, students, and local residents who joined hands to plant native species along the newly established Litani Hima—Lebanon’s first Hima on the Litani River Authority (LRA)’s lands. More than 1,000 native trees, including planes, poplar, and willows, were planted to enhance riverbank stability, improve habitat quality, and support the long-term rehabilitation of the basin. An overview of the DIMFE-funded project, its objectives and achievements, was provided at the start of the event, to ensure that all participants clearly understood the purpose, goals, and long-term vision of the initiative.
The activity took place in the presence of the Head of the Union of Lake Municipalities Mr. Iskandar Barakeh, the Mayor of Qaraoun Mr. Khaled Birayni, the Mayor of Joub Janine Mr. Khaled El Hajj Ahmad, and the representative of Minister Hassan Mrad Mr. Mahmoud Hsaid. Also, representatives from the Litani River Authority (LRA), the Lebanese Reforestation Initiative (LRI), Ghad El Afdal Charity Organization and Kon Fares participated actively, alongside volunteers and youth groups whose enthusiasm highlighted the growing community commitment to restoring the Litani to its golden days.
The event not only showcased project progress but also fostered a strong sense of shared responsibility and environmental stewardship. This collective effort reflects the project’s vision of engaging local communities, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring that residents feel directly involved in—and empowered by—the ongoing restoration of their natural heritage.
SPNL emphasized that this event is only the beginning and highlighted the importance of continuing this work through collective responsibility and strong partnerships. This event stands as a powerful example of collaborative environmental action—uniting institutions, municipalities, youth, and local communities around one shared goal: bringing life back to Lebanon’s most important river and securing a sustainable future for the generations to come.