By Rania Khalil-CEPF Project Manager
The aim of the project in Hammana and Ras El Matn is to promote the conservation of biodiversity in the Upper Beirut River Valley, namely Higher Metn region through the maintenance of interlinked traditional land-use practices.
The purpose was to promote sustainable agriculture in those two Himas and to monitor the biodiversity, while empowering and teaching the local community: kids, youth, farmers, women…
As we go into the project, we realized how much it is important to work deeply with the local community to learn from them while helping them.
Every project in the Hima, has a way to enhance their livelihoods, but also to learn more about the biodiversity, traditional practices, and nature in the village.
In this second part of the project:
Education: one school from each site was ready to integrate and participate in our SNOW program session. We provided for the kids several environmental education sessions about Birds and migration. From each session, they were learning about nature and especially about Birds present in Hammana and Ras El Matn.
A workshop/testimonial with women from the two villages was held about plants and crops and how they can be used in soap, beauty products home cleaning products. And how it is important to use sustainable plants and clean products.
Agriculture: empowering farmers in Hammana and Ras El Matn and working directly with them. In winter the activities are less intensive for the farmers, it is a period of rest and preparation, we did several visits to the sites and many discussions with the farmers to know about: their future plantation, how they are managing the usage of water, how they are ready to plant native crops, the integrated pest management procedure they are adapting…
Samah our special farmer: “This land is my treasure, when I stand and see those old pine trees around me, my seedlings growing… I am in peace and I can feel how important nature is.”
Biodiversity: seeing weekly the Biodiversity for both sites, plants, birds, studied species, in order to learn about their activities in winter according to the soil, weather, and practices.
Economy: most of the crop productions are surely harvested, and in this period the products are preserved. Working on the package, labelling, products…of the chosen products: herbal teas, soap, cherry liquor, honey…
This project is funded by
