High in the western Bekaa, where the slopes of Mount Lebanon descend gently toward the waters of Lake Qaraoun, the village of Baaloul has taken a decisive step to protect its natural heritage. With the official declaration of Hima Baaloul, the village becomes Lebanon’s 44th Hima, reinforcing a growing national movement that places community stewardship at the heart of environmental protection.
SPNL’s growing Hima network — now reaching 44 sites — represents a living testament to the power of collaboration between municipalities, local leaders, and international partners. It also positions Lebanon as a regional pioneer in community-based conservation, aligning with global biodiversity goals such as the Kunming-Montreal 30×30 Framework.
Baaloul lies within the upper basin of the Litani River, one of the country’s most vital, and most threatened, water systems. Perched at an altitude of around 1,128 meters, and located just seven kilometers from Jib Jennine and thirty-five kilometers from Zahle, the village enjoys a unique geographical position. It overlooks the Lake Qaraoun and faces the majestic Mount Barouk, forming a natural bridge between mountain, plain, and water.
A Village Rooted in Diversity and Resilience
Home to around 500 permanent residents, with many more living abroad, Baaloul is a predominantly agricultural village shaped by strong ties to land and water. It sits within a religiously and socially diverse district, where Christian and Muslim families have long shared the same landscape, livelihoods, and responsibilities. This coexistence has translated into a shared understanding, that protecting nature is inseparable from protecting community life itself.
A Municipal Decision with National Significance
On 26 January 2026, the Baaloul Municipal Council unanimously adopted Decision No. 1/2026 to establish a Hima on communal public land, in cooperation with the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon. The decision, grounded in Lebanon’s Municipal Law and supported by scientific studies, aims to regulate land use, conserve natural resources, and restore a sustainable and regenerative ecosystem.
Beyond conservation, the Hima framework in Baaloul integrates climate change adaptation, biodiversity protection, and the creation of a natural eco-trail highlighting both cultural and natural heritage. It sets clear and focused management objectives, ensuring that protection goes hand in hand with responsible use and long-term community benefit.
Protecting Water at the Source
The establishment of Hima Baaloul is particularly significant given its proximity to Lake Qaraoun and the Litani River system, both of which have suffered decades of pollution and unregulated exploitation. By acting as a protective buffer, the Hima serves as a real environmental deterrent against encroachments and sources of contamination that threaten water quality downstream.
The initiative also strengthens cooperation with the Litani River Authority, reinforcing the idea that safeguarding water resources requires coordination between local communities, public institutions, and environmental organizations.
A Living Ecosystem, from Slopes to Shore
What makes Baaloul ecologically distinctive is the continuity of its landscape. Green terraces and natural vegetation descend gradually from mountainous slopes toward the lake, forming an integrated ecosystem rich in plant and wildlife diversity. This ecological gradient allows species to move, adapt, and thrive, making the area a key link in the broader environmental corridor surrounding Lake Qaraoun.
More Than a Protected Area
For Mayor Ibrahim Darwish and the municipal council, the declaration of the Hima is not merely an administrative act. It is a moral commitment, expressed in simple yet powerful words, to protect nature, conserve resources, promote recycling, plant trees, and safeguard water and wildlife for the sake of future generations.
Hima Baaloul is part of a wider vision championed by the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon and the International Hima Center, which view conservation as a pathway to social, economic, and environmental renewal. By engaging local communities and fostering a culture of sustainability, Himas open new horizons for development rooted in respect for nature.
As Baaloul joins the expanding network of Hima villages across Lebanon, it sends a clear message, that community-led conservation remains one of the country’s strongest tools in the face of environmental degradation. Hima Baaloul is not just a protected space, it is a promise of hope, resilience, and a healthier future for generations to come.
