Under the patronage of Her Excellency the Minister of Environment, Dr. Tamara El-Zein, and in collaboration with the Litani River Authority, the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) inaugurated the traveling exhibition “Weaving Hima, One at a Time” at the Authority’s headquarters in Khirbet Qanafar.
The event convened environmental leaders, local authorities, and representatives from national and international organizations. Notable attendees included MP Charbel Maroun and representatives of MPs Wael Abou Faour and Ghassan Skaff; Wissam Nasbeh, Qaim Maqam of West Bekaa; and Nabil Al-Masri, Qaim Maqam of Rachaya. Also present were the Presidents of the Unions of Municipalities of Bouhayra and the Sahel, along with representatives from the Hima sites of Qlaileh, Qaraoun, Ain Hersha, Ebel El Saqi, Ain Zebdeh, Khirbet Qanafar, and Mansoura. Municipalities represented included Machgharah, Aana, Beb Mareh, Saghbine, Joub Jannine, Tel Dnoub, Ammiq, Rachaya, Tannoura, Aaqbeh, Baaloul, and Lala.
A highlight of the event was the announcement by Wassim Khatib, Manager of the Homat Al Hima International Center at SPNL, of the official declaration of Kefraya as Lebanon’s 36th Hima site. Known for its vineyards and expansive agricultural landscapes, Kefraya is now embracing environmental stewardship under the Hima model. The Municipal Council issued a formal decree in July 2025, designating its territory as a Hima—a traditional community-managed protected area under the revitalized Hima approach led by SPNL.
This declaration is part of the Bioconnect project, funded by the European Union, which aims to promote sustainable environmental practices while enhancing ecological and socio-economic resilience across the region.
The “Weaving Hima” exhibition celebrates the Hima model—a centuries-old Arab system of communal resource management—now reimagined to confront modern environmental challenges. Through visual storytelling and case studies, the exhibition highlights the success of various Hima sites in Lebanon where local communities have taken the lead in protecting biodiversity and natural resources.
Opening remarks included:
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Mr. Assad Serhal, Director General of SPNL and Chair of BirdLife International’s Middle East Committee, emphasized the global relevance of the Hima model as a scalable framework for participatory conservation.
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Mr. Malek Ghandour, President of the Lebanese Environment Assembly, applauded the initiative for strengthening grassroots environmental governance.
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Mr. Fady Ghanem, representing the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), underscored the critical role of local communities in achieving global biodiversity targets.
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Dr. Sami Alawieh, Director General of the Litani River Authority, represented by Engineer Naseem Abu Hamad, reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to environmental partnerships and the protection of the river basin.
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Mr. Jihad Jradi, Programme Manager at Delegation of the European Union to Lebanon, reaffirmed the EU’s support for civil society-led environmental action.
In her closing statement, Minister Tamara El-Zein emphasized the need to integrate conservation with cultural heritage, local livelihoods, and community resilience. She praised the collaborative efforts driving the Hima initiative and encouraged the continuation of such inclusive environmental projects.
The exhibition will continue its national tour, aiming to inspire communities across Lebanon to engage in sustainable practices and reaffirm their role as custodians of nature.
