“The more I learn about Hima—these remarkable heritage areas protected and managed by local communities—the more I realize how closely they resemble traditional practices found across Latin America.
We have similar systems in Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and other countries. These community-owned and community-managed protected areas are built on the principle of shared responsibility for the land. They are governed through collectively agreed governance systems and land-use plans. Local communities decide which areas should remain strictly protected, which can be used for agriculture, and where limited activities such as hunting or gathering may take place. In essence, this is a comprehensive protected area management plan.
It is important that we bring together this shared heritage and traditional knowledge with our colleagues and communities in the Arab world. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to learn about all of this.”
Adriana Moreira
Head of Partnerships, Global Environment Facility (GEF)
Excerpt from an interview with Andre Bechara, Hima Guardians Programme Manager at the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL), conducted during the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi.
