Mainly occupied by Pine forests and rocky hills, the southern Hima of Roum, located in Jezzine district, was declared in 2014. This 9.63 km2 area has a remarkable faunal diversity such as wolves, jackals, wild-boars, weasels, foxes, stone martens, bats, snakes and agamas, therefore, it is an attractive spot for hunters. SPNL and the municipality of Roum agreed to announce this Hima as a responsible hunting area to limit the threats to this diverse ecosystem. In addition, floristic studies take place in this land due to its floral richness which is conserved as well by the Hima concept.
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).