Editorial by: Assad Serhal
SPNL Director General / BirdLife International Chairman of the Middle East Region
Published in SPNL Annual Report 2024
The full SPNL 2024 Annual Report is available for download at this link.
A nature reserve is a terrestrial or marine area requiring the protection of ecosystems and habitats to conserve species of particular importance (rare, geographically restricted, endangered), distinctive natural features, and sensitive or rare ecosystems. It must be capable of adequate maintenance and rehabilitation, where necessary, in a manner consistent with conservation objectives. A nature reserve aims to protect habitats for living organisms while ensuring their sustainability. It may consist of an entirely protected area, a part of a protected area, or a controlled management area.
On the other hand, a Hima is not just a protected site but a living testament to the harmonious coexistence of nature and culture. It encompasses a natural ecosystem and possibly another part that has been sustainably modified through the responsible use of natural resources. The Hima system is voluntarily protected by a traditional natural resource management system upheld by local communities, relying on their traditional knowledge and skills.
The Hima system represents a historic recognition of the need to secure access to scarce resources. Evidence shows that local awareness of this need has developed over hundreds of years. The Hima provides tangible benefits to the people who directly depend on nature conservation, incentivizing local communities to invest in preserving natural resources and protecting them from exploitation. These benefits include long-term economic gains and social security. Furthermore, the Hima fosters a sense of community and shared responsibility among its members, strengthening its value to the local population.
Unlike conventional nature reserves, which are primarily established and managed by state institutions and conservation organizations, the Hima system is deeply rooted in community engagement. The management of a Hima is conducted locally through consultation and consensus, allowing community members to influence decision-making. While traditional Hima management has proven resilient over centuries, few nature reserves have a history as ancient and culturally significant as the Hima.
Both the Hima and nature reserves face similar challenges in conservation. However, the Hima carries a cultural and heritage meaning absent in the neutral concept of a nature reserve. Beyond its traditional and tribal applications, the Hima also holds ethical significance in Islamic law. Importantly, the Hima is not a separate category from nature reserves; it aligns with all conservation categories established by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Any nature reserve can be transformed into a Hima or be recognized as one if it meets the following conditions:
- It is established by a legitimate authority or guardian.
- It serves a public good.
- It does not cause harm or distress to local communities.
- It does not deprive people of indispensable resources.
- It provides greater societal benefits than harm.
The Hima system is a critical mechanism for biodiversity conservation, deeply embedded in the heritage of Arab societies. Practiced for centuries in Lebanese villages and towns, it ensures the sustainable use of natural resources through a rational investment approach that maintains environmental renewal and regeneration. In essence, the key distinction between the two lies in their focus and management approach. While nature reserves emphasize biodiversity preservation through legal frameworks, the Hima prioritizes biodiversity management, relying on local community stewardship. Nature reserves are typically established on state-owned land, managed collaboratively with civil society organizations. In contrast, Hima lands may be private, municipal, or common lands placed under protection by municipal decisions.
Lebanon has various categories of protected areas, including natural parks and natural sites, which are evaluated based on their cultural, environmental heritage, and sustainable land use. Recently, Lebanon introduced a third classification of reserves with the establishment of the Upper Metn Park, covering 70 square kilometers of forests—the country’s first national park.
Conservation efforts in Lebanon date back to 1996. Today, the country has 18 nature reserves and 34 Himas, collectively covering 22% of Lebanon’s land. This is slightly below the international target of 30% protected land coverage.
Hima, which means “protected area” in Arabic, is more than just a concept; it is a community-based approach to conservation that sustains sites, species, habitats, and human well-being. Originating over 1,500 years ago in the Arabian Peninsula, the Hima was initially a tribal system for sustainable natural resource management. Historically, it played a crucial role in organizing, maintaining, and using natural pastures in harmony with local ecosystems and traditional practices. Notably, local communities themselves manage and make decisions regarding the Hima.
The Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL), in cooperation with Homat Al Hima International, municipalities, local residents, and the private sector, is actively restoring the Hima system across 34 sites in Lebanon. These efforts focus on reviving the traditional resource use system, protecting land, and modernizing the Hima concept to align with contemporary development needs. This includes combating climate change, achieving sustainable development goals, conserving Important Bird Areas, and ensuring the sustainable use of natural resources.
SPNL and Homat Al Hima International are advocating for decision-makers to integrate Hima principles into the management of nature reserves, particularly those that emphasize sustainable resource use. Their goal is to ensure that conservation initiatives serve the public interest and that the benefits of establishing reserves outweigh their costs. This can only be achieved through cooperation with local communities. While Hima sites are closely managed by the communities that rely on them, nature reserves are often administered remotely by centralized authorities, which may limit direct engagement.
SPNL and Homat Al Hima International emphasize the importance of private-sector involvement in nature conservation. Their strategy encourages businesses to incorporate environmental sustainability into their corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Companies can contribute by allocating resources to protect natural areas, supporting conservation projects, and investing in sustainable development initiatives such as renewable energy and sustainable agriculture. By fostering strategic partnerships between the private sector, public sector, and local communities, these organizations aim to enhance environmental conservation and promote long-term sustainability.
References:
Kilani, H., Serhal, A., & Llewellyn, O. (2007). Al Hima: A Way of Life. IUCN Library
