Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon Strives to conserve biodiversity for the provision of a better quality of life through sustaining sites, habitats, species and people
Through the generous support of the Japanese Embassy “Grass Roots’’ fund, SPNL has recently finalized the implementation of the Massaya spring and wetland rehabilitation work under the project titled “Water Rehabilitation and Management at Hima Kfar Zabad Wetlands and Springs “.
Water specialists have warned that Lebanon will face severe water shortage over the coming years unless an effective water management system is soon put in place.
While Lebanon actually has an abundance of rainfall and underground water, for years it has struggled to distribute this water and prevent it becoming contaminated.
According to a recent study, the main problem with the water system in Lebanon is the mismanagement of distribution. In a country where experts say water management is chronically poor, shortage would not only mean that residents would have problems meeting their daily water needs, but also that the quality of the water would be adversely affected.
The project aims to improve the water management of Hima Kfar Zabad Wetlands for people and nature. The implemented project contributed to:
1) The rehabilitation of the Maasaya pools
2) The control of the water distribution and usage inside and on the entries of the Hima through the installation of water sluices
3) The establishment of drinking fountain for public purposes from Massaya pool.
The effects of the rehabilitation work was clear in Hima Kfar Zabad Wetland through the retained water level inside the wetland, during a dry season where water shortage is a critical issue in the Bekaa region and all wetlands have dried out. The impacts of this project are expected to be confirmed in the coming months through improved water quality and quantity for biodiversity and surrounding livelihoods.
