The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) hosted a landmark session titled “Hima for Peace: Community-Based Stewardship and Vertical Finance for Ecosystem Resilience in Regions” at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi. The event brought together ministers, environmental leaders, and international experts to explore how the ancient Hima tradition can be a model for sustainable development, biodiversity conservation, and peacebuilding in a rapidly changing world.
The session featured H.E. Ayman Suleiman, Minister of Environment of Jordan; H.E. Nizar Hani, Lebanon’s Minister of Agriculture; H.E. Hany El Shaer, Regional Director of IUCN ROWA; Mahmoud Fathallah, Department Director at the League of Arab States; Adriana Moreira, Director and Division Lead at the Global Environment Facility; Amgad El Mahdi, Regional Director for MENA at the Green Climate Fund; and Assad Serhal, Director General of the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) and Chairman of BirdLife Middle East Partnership.
The Hima: From Prophetic Wisdom to Modern Conservation
In his presentation, Assad Serhal traced the spiritual and ecological roots of the Hima concept to the time of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who declared certain lands as sanctuaries where trees could not be cut, nor wildlife hunted. “The Hima,” Serhal explained, “is considered by many to be the world’s oldest conservation system — a heritage of coexistence between people and nature that continues to inspire sustainable living today.”
He elaborated that Hima represents a community-managed approach to sustainable land use, deeply rooted in cultural values and collective responsibility. While nature reserves (المحمية) are primarily government-managed and strictly protected, Hima emphasizes community stewardship, sustainable use, and knowledge sharing between generations.
Reinventing the Hima for the 21st Century
Serhal highlighted SPNL’s two-decade-long journey in revitalizing the Hima system across Lebanon. Since its revival in 2004, the Hima has evolved into a modern conservation model blending traditional knowledge and contemporary science, ensuring local participation and shared benefit.
Today, Lebanon is home to 38 officially recognized Himas, covering nearly 6% of the country’s terrestrial and marine ecosystems, many of which are classified as Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs). The Hima model supports Lebanon’s commitments under the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the 30×30 Global Target.
From Biodiversity to Peacebuilding
Serhal underscored that the Hima today is far more than a conservation tool — it is a vehicle for peace and social cohesion. In areas affected by political instability and environmental degradation, Hima initiatives have encouraged dialogue, cooperation, and reconciliation among communities divided by resource conflicts.
“The Hima is not only about protecting birds and trees,” Serhal said. “It’s about protecting relationships — between people, between generations, and between humanity and the land. It’s a bridge between ecology and peace.”
He noted that SPNL’s “Hima for Peace” framework draws on local governance, intergenerational dialogue, and environmental education to promote coexistence and resilience in fragile landscapes.
Local Stewardship and Community Empowerment
Serhal presented several case studies demonstrating the transformative power of local stewardship:
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Hima Anjar and Kfar Zabad — a successful wetland restoration initiative combining water-efficient irrigation and habitat protection that directly benefits over 2,000 individuals through eco-tourism, education, and sustainable livelihoods.
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BioConnect Project — a European Union–funded initiative that strengthens biodiversity corridors across southern Lebanon, empowering 17 municipalities to manage ecosystems sustainably and create green job opportunities.
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The Upper Beirut River Valley Natural Park — an ambitious project led by SPNL to establish Lebanon’s first officially designated Natural Park. The initiative spans 70 square kilometers and benefits more than 175,000 residents, combining Hima traditions with modern conservation science.
Challenges and the Path Forward
Addressing the challenges facing community-led conservation, Serhal highlighted environmental degradation, urban expansion, and weak governance as ongoing threats. Yet, he emphasized that the Hima’s participatory nature provides a resilient governance model capable of navigating these complexities.
“The Hima empowers communities to act as custodians of their land. When people are trusted to protect what they love, they become the strongest defenders of nature,” Serhal concluded.
As global policymakers seek solutions to climate change, land degradation, and social fragmentation, the Hima offers a proven model rooted in local wisdom and shared responsibility — a living testament to how ancient traditions can guide modern sustainability and peace.
