n a landmark step advancing community-based protection of Lebanon’s natural and cultural heritage, the establishment of “Hima Bsharri” was officially announced, alongside the inclusion of the “Patriarchs’ Garden, Diman” within Lebanon’s Hima Network. The announcement was made during a field visit by Fadi Ghanem, President of the Ghadi Association and Coordinator of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Members Network in Lebanon, and Assad Serhal, Middle East Director of BirdLife International and Director General of the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL). They were accompanied by André Bchara, Director of the Hima Programme in Lebanon, Elias Antonios, Governor-Elect of Lions Clubs District 351 (Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestine), and former Governor and Lions Iraq Coordinator Nabil Nassour.
The delegation was welcomed in Bsharri by members of the Friends of the Cedars Forest Committee, including Secretary-General Bassam Geagea, Vice President Engineer Qozhaya Touk, Secretary Youssef Fenianos, and Treasurer Jocelyne Samarani. During an expanded meeting, committee members presented their key environmental and development initiatives, while the delegation provided a detailed overview of the Hima concept, its objectives, implementation mechanisms, and the environmental, social, and economic benefits it brings to local communities.
The delegation emphasized that the Hima system represents an advanced model of community-based natural resource management, combining biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and local community participation in managing natural resources, while fully preserving ownership, use, and investment rights.
The delegation then met with Joe Kairouz, Mayor of Bsharri, at the municipality headquarters. During the meeting, the scientific, legal, and administrative foundations of the Hima approach were presented, along with its implementation mechanisms in Lebanon. The parties agreed to work toward incorporating a large area of Bsharri’s municipal commons into the framework of “Hima Bsharri,” contributing to the protection of the region’s unique ecosystems, forests, and natural resources.
Reflecting the municipality’s commitment to environmental protection and sustainable development, the Municipal Council formally approved the establishment of Hima Bsharri in partnership with the Ghadi Association, SPNL, and the Friends of the Cedars Forest Committee, creating an integrated local framework for the management and conservation of natural resources for future generations.
Patriarchs’ Garden, Diman Joins the Hima Network
The delegation subsequently traveled to Diman, where it met with Bishop Joseph Naffah, Patriarchal Vicar General for the regions of Jebbet Bsharri and Zgharta-Ehden, to discuss mechanisms for strengthening cooperation in managing the Patriarchs’ Garden, Diman and integrating it into Lebanon’s Hima Network.
The meeting was attended by:
- Sister Lina El Khoury, President of the Monastery of Saint Stephen of the Antonine Sisters within the Patriarchs’ Garden.
- Father Youssef Tannous, Vice President of the Qannoubine Association for Mission and Heritage.
- Lawyer Joseph Farah, Secretary-General of the Association.
- Mr. George Arab, Director General of the Association.
- Members of the Board of Trustees: Dr. Jean Nakhoul, Dr. Marwan Abi Fadel, and Dr. Elie Dnawi.
Discussions focused on various aspects of the Hima concept, including its environmental and developmental objectives, legal framework, implications for private and public property, and the sustainable development opportunities it offers local communities.
The delegation clarified that designating a site as a Hima does not alter its legal status nor impose restrictions on ownership, investment, or usage rights. Rather, it is based on voluntary partnership and cooperation among local stakeholders, site owners, and specialized environmental institutions to protect natural resources and promote sustainable development.
The delegation also outlined the stages involved in establishing a Hima, beginning with consultations with local stakeholders, followed by community participation in planning and management, and culminating in the implementation of conservation, development, economic empowerment, and social programmes.
Bishop Naffah and representatives of the Qannoubine Association highlighted the unique environmental, cultural, and heritage characteristics of the Patriarchs’ Garden, Diman and the Qadisha Valley. These include rich plant and wildlife diversity, nature trails, nurseries for medicinal and aromatic plants, traditional food-production projects, and cultural and heritage facilities such as a theatre, museum, library, exhibitions, and environmental and cultural awareness initiatives.
The delegation then conducted a field tour of the site, reviewing its projects, facilities, and programmes. Members expressed their deep appreciation for the efforts invested in managing and developing the area, describing it as a comprehensive model that successfully combines nature conservation with the preservation of spiritual and cultural heritage.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the parties agreed to officially designate the Patriarchs’ Garden, Diman as an Environmental and Cultural Hima and formally include it within Lebanon’s Hima Network. They also agreed to develop a strategic partnership between the Qannoubine Association for Mission and Heritage, the Ghadi Association, and SPNL to prepare and implement an integrated plan for sustainable management, environmental protection, awareness raising, scientific research, and biodiversity monitoring.
Fadi Ghanem
Fadi Ghanem stated:
“The declaration of Hima Bsharri and the Patriarchs’ Garden, Diman marks a bright national milestone in the protection of nature and heritage in Lebanon. This initiative confirms that environmental conservation cannot be separated from safeguarding the cultural, spiritual, and historical identity of local communities.
The Hima model is built on partnership, trust, and cooperation. It places people at the heart of conservation efforts and strengthens their connection to their land, resources, and heritage. What we are witnessing today in Bsharri and Diman is a pioneering model that embodies the integration of nature, people, and culture, demonstrating that sustainable development begins with local communities and grows alongside them.”
Assad Serhal
Assad Serhal remarked:
“Bsharri, the Qadisha Valley, and Diman possess exceptional global environmental value, not only because of their biodiversity, forests, and natural habitats, but also because of the unique cultural and spiritual heritage they embody.
The inclusion of these sites in the Hima Network strengthens their position as leading models of community-based conservation and confirms that nature protection becomes more effective when founded on local participation and genuine partnerships among environmental organizations, municipalities, religious and cultural institutions, and local communities.”
Toward a National Model Integrating Nature, Heritage, and People
The establishment of Hima Bsharri and the designation of the Patriarchs’ Garden, Diman as an Environmental and Cultural Hima represent significant progress in expanding Lebanon’s Hima Network, which now includes dozens of sites across the country and serves as a pioneering national model for participatory natural resource management.
These initiatives reaffirm that nature conservation extends beyond protecting ecosystems and biodiversity. It also encompasses safeguarding the cultural, historical, and spiritual memory of local communities, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, the vision of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and global initiatives aimed at strengthening the balanced relationship between people and nature.
The initiative opens broad opportunities for developing joint environmental, developmental, scientific, and cultural projects, positioning Bsharri, Diman, and the Qadisha Valley as a national and international model for integrating nature conservation, heritage preservation, and community resilience, ensuring the sustainability of this unique legacy for future generations.
