Demonstrating Community-based Sustainable Management of Important Eastern Mediterranean KBA in Anti-Lebanon Mountains

Project Goal:To improve the conservation status of key biodiversity areas in Lebanon.

Project Overall Objective: To reduce the grazing threatening activities in Anti-Lebanon Mountain KBA in Lebanon by end of the project through community based conservation and management.

Specific Objective: Adoption of community based Hima approach for sustainable grazing in Anti-Lebanon KBA by end of project implementation.

  • Initiate & establish a Hima for sustainable grazing in Anti-Lebanon KBA.

  • Develop assessments for fauna and flora (desk & field research).

  • Develop monitoring plan for the site and identify indicative species.

  • Develop a zonation plan for sustainable grazing, and conservation of Important Plant Area. This includes identification of traditional system of grazing including movement areas, trails, destination,…in a participatory approach.

  • Develop a Hima management plan for the site ensuring the protection of globally threatened species, conservation of natural habitat remnants and sustainable use of resources within the participatory approaches of the Hima.

  • Develop shepherd income generation plan based on the revival of traditional grazing practices, and iinitiate implementation of basic nature-based activities such as trekking shepherd trails, trail signs, etc..

  • Build capacities of local stakeholders, to include municipalities of Anti-Lebanon, and shepherds (such as on Hima concept, hospitality, guiding, animal diseases and vet services).

  • Initiate an awareness campaign on Hima for sustainable grazing.

Expected Results:

  • New Hima (community based protected area) is established

  • Sustainable management of the new Hima is promoted through development and implementation of zonation and management plans.

  • Awareness is raised, and Capacity built (especially for shepherds and local authorities-municipalities);

  • Threats on the KBA are decreased, especially over-grazing.

  • Effective national model of community management for sustainable grazing (Hima conservation approach), achieving biodiversity conservation and local community benefits, developed and demonstrated.

  • Lessons learned are disseminated on models of community based KBA management on national basis.

 

 

Al Hima Magazine 5th Issue

This edition of Al Hima magazine weaves together inspiring stories of nature conservation and community resilience, highlighting how Lebanon is being stitched back to life—one Hima at a time. The Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) continues its mission to preserve the country’s natural heritage by empowering local communities. A cornerstone of this effort is the BioConnect project, funded by the European Union, which has achieved three national firsts: Lebanon’s first natural park (Upper Matn), first geological park (Shouf-Jezzine), and first endowment Hima (Btekhnay).

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