The newly released fifth issue of Al-Hima magazine shines a spotlight on Lebanon’s growing network of protected areas, including 34 community-led Himas that now cover 6% of the country’s territory. This edition delves into pioneering conservation efforts that bridge tradition and science, people and nature, highlighting a national journey toward ecological preservation.
At the heart of this progress is the BioConnect project, funded by the European Union to safeguard Lebanon’s biodiversity. Among its standout achievements are three national firsts: the country’s inaugural Natural Park in Upper Matn, the first Geological Park in the Shouf-Jezzine area, and the first Endowment Hima established in Btekhnay.
In his editorial, conservation leader Assad Serhal shares a long-awaited milestone:
“We are finally witnessing the realization of what once felt like a distant dream — the formal establishment of Lebanon’s First Natural Park. Our legal framework defines four categories of protected areas: Nature Reserves, Himas, Natural Parks, and Natural Monuments. Until now, Natural Parks were only on paper. That changes today.”
Serhal also highlights the significance of a charter signed with the Ministry of Environment to launch the Natural Park in Upper Matn along the Beirut River Valley:
“This is more than a legal designation — it is a vision that unites environmental protection with sustainable development, cultural heritage, and local community empowerment.”
Minister of Environment Dr. Tamara El Zein affirms this momentum, stating:
“The Ministry of Environment remains committed to advancing the protected areas agenda. With the support of our devoted partners, we aim to translate the Natural Park designation into tangible action on the ground.”
In a contribution to the issue, Cyril Dewaleyne, Deputy Head of Cooperation at the European Union Delegation to Lebanon, emphasized the EU’s broader role in protecting Lebanon’s natural heritage:
“Our support extends beyond funding. We work to strengthen environmental governance, revive hima practices, engage local communities, and promote evidence-based policy to ensure lasting impact.”
The BioConnect project, managed by Al Shouf Cedar Society in partnership with ADR, ACE, and others, features prominently in this edition. Rich visuals and stories bring to life key sites such as the Shouf Biosphere Reserve, the Tyre Coastal Reserve, and the newly designated Shouf-Jezzine Geopark—the first of its kind in Lebanon. The edition also outlines national efforts to establish a comprehensive marine protected area network, led by the Lebanese Environment Forum.
International perspectives enrich the issue further, with contributions on Hima practices in the Arabian Peninsula, nature conservation in Palestine, and Jordan’s updated strategy from the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature. A cultural reflection also draws a fascinating link between the Swahili word hema—meaning “tent”—and the deeply rooted Arab tradition of hima.
Other highlights include: Monitoring Biodiversity, The Hima Forum, Al Abadiyeh: A Village and a Hima, The Stork’s Feast, Friends of the Sea, Bee Hima, and Wildlife Crimes in Lebanon.
Editor-in-Chief Raghida Haddad concludes with a powerful reflection:
“What truly distinguishes this issue is its ability to bring together conservation voices from Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, the UAE, Kenya, and beyond. Al-Hima continues to serve as a vibrant platform for shared knowledge, resilience, and environmental hope.”
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