Stitching the Upper Beirut River Valley Natural Park, One Hima at a Time
In September 2026, Hima Hlalieh was officially declared following a series of meetings with the municipality and the Waqef. Its declaration marks an important achievement under the SDC-funded project, “Upper Beirut River Valley: Towards Establishing Lebanon’s First Natural Park,” bringing another local partner into a shared vision for the valley’s future.
Hlalieh is the second Hima Waqef in Lebanon, the third Hima declared under the project, following Qarnayel and Kfarselwen, and the seventh Hima in the Upper Beirut River Valley. This growing network reflects the central role of local communities and institutions in building the foundations of the proposed Natural Park.
Through dialogue with the municipality and the Waqef, the process brought together local authorities and religious endowment representatives around the Hima approach: conserving nature through shared responsibility, community participation, and sustainable use. Hima Hlalieh also highlights again the potential of Waqef institutions to contribute to conservation and the stewardship of Lebanon’s natural heritage.
Each Hima adds a new commitment to the valley’s collective future. Together, these commitments are helping turn a shared vision into a locally rooted conservation effort—stitching the Natural Park together, one Hima at a time.
