Protected Areas in Lebanon, an inherited legacy.

Everyone of us has a way of preserving cherished memories. For you, it is probably a photo album where tender intimate moments are dearly kept, for others it is a small secret musical box in a dark corner of the attic. Some simply store them in their heart and close their eyes to remember the intensity of those moments.

Protected Areas are our threatened national living museums reminding us of Earth's bounty and beauty. They represent invaluable scientific treasure and economic security. Above all, they are a share of a heritage we ought to keep for future generations to enjoy.

The uniqueness of Lebanon lies in its endowment with the wealthy biodiversity of those protected areas. This inherent asset attracts nature-lovers around the world, thereby promoting the flourishing of a new form of tourism in the country – ecotourism. Natural beauty is not formed overnight. When it might take decades of interaction between different environmental players, to build the beauty of a landscape, and one hand to easily destroy it, it requires collaborative effort to conserve and maintain the sustainability and integrity of these natural resources.

For the sake of passing on relics of our threatened patrimony to future generations, let's act before our Protected Areas turn into static photo albums on dusty library shelves.

References to the images and informations found in this blog:
info@horshehden.org
www.arztannourine.org
arzshouf@cyberia.net.lb



Arz Al Rab

The Cedars has a lot to offer - scenic beauty, hiking and skiing. And, of course, there are the famous Cedars of Lebanon where some of the oldest and most majestic examples of this ancient tree grow.
Known as "Arz el Rab" or Cedars of God, the trees are among the last survivors of the immense forests that lay across Mount Lebanon in ancient times. Their timber was exploited by the Assyrians, Babylonians and Persians as well as the residents of Canaan-Phoenicia. The wood was especially prized by Egyptians for shipbuilding and Solomon used it for his temple.Once the plains of Lebanon were shaded by thick cedar forests, so it is no coincidence that the tree is the symbol of the entire country.
Today, after centuries of persistent deforestation, the extent of this forest heritage has been markedly reduced. The trees however, do survive in areas and there they seem to reign supreme. This is the case of the slopes of Jabal Makmel that tower over the Qadisha Valley where, at an altitude of more than 2000 meters, we come to a vast forest known as "The Cedars." Here there are 12 trees that are over one thousand years old, and about 400 that are more than one hundred.The forest is rigorously protected. It is possible to tour it escorted by an authorized guide.
Recently, after a preliminary phase in which the land was cleared of detritus, the sick plants treated, and the ground fertilized, a massive reforestation program was undertaken. The fruits of these efforts, will only be appreciable in a few decades since cedars grow so slowly. In these areas the winter offers incredible scenery, the trees are covered with a blanket of snow.


Bentael


The Bentael Nature Reserve was created by the Law No.11 on February 25, 1999. In the absence of a proper Management team, the site is managed by the Bentael Nature Reserve Committee under the supervision of the Ministry of Environment.

Bentael Nature Reserve is located in the foothills of Mount Lebanon northeast of Byblos. Being one of the smallest nature reserves in Lebanon (1.5 square km), this reserve is noteworthy because of its history. Founded in 1981, this site was bequeathed to the Ministry of the Environment by the people of the village of Bentael. It was one of the first reserves to be created in Lebanon and set an example for the need to conserve Lebanon’s natural heritage. The reserve is situated in the flight path of migratory hawks, eagles and other raptors and is enjoyed by bird enthusiasts. Visitors can access the reserve via one of two entrances: one near the village of Mechehlène and the other in the upper region of Bentael.

Images of Horsh Ehden

Images of Horsh Ehden


Jan 22, 2010

Horsh Ehden


Situated on the upper north western slopes of Mount Lebanon, ranging in altitude from 1200 m to 2000, Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve covers more than 450 ha and is considered as a very important part of the country for its unique biodiversity.

Extending over 3 bio-geographic zones, the forest assembles different species of mammals, birds and plants of which some are nationally rare and threatened such as the imperial eagle and wolf.

The amount of plant species recognized till now accounts for nearly 40% of plant species in Lebanon.
Nowadays, the municipality of Ehden, owner of Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve’s land, is according much more attention on the reserve for its particular importance:

- Outstanding example of Cedrus libani forest (diversity of age classes and species diversity)
- Outstanding ecological condition (minimum degradation and pollution…)
- Habitat of rare, national and threatened animal and plant species
- Potentially outstanding high quality visitor experience in a forest
- 1,058 plant species
- More than 27 mammals species representing the third of the mammals in Lebanon
- Over 300 fungi species which are critical to maintain a healthy forest ecosystem.

Thus, Horsh Ehden is an outstanding example of Lebanese and Mediterranean natural ecosystem especially for its diversity of Cedars and other native plant species.
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4 comments:

  1. Professor in Mass of CommunicationJanuary 23, 2010 at 12:06 PM

    dear Rachelle
    You did a very good job, but in your profile change that you are a student, this is a permanent blog it’s mean this is your profile and work electronic book ..it is Your platform. You will update all your future work and thoughts don’t forget to comment in my blog, and other three blogs of your friends. Upload a film and put a slide show. i like your topic and its well organized
    Good luck habibti

    ReplyDelete
  2. Rachelle AlwanJanuary 23, 2010 at 3:25 PM

    thank you dr.Sanaa :) i will make changes for sure.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Rouaa KassisJanuary 26, 2010 at 11:57 PM

    Rachooooooooo nchalla bi fadlik w bi fadel el blog taba3ik Lebnen byerja3 chway akhdar ....
    Great job...
    ya3tike el 3afye Rechoooo
    mwahhhhhhh

    ReplyDelete
  4. Rachelle AlwanFebruary 23, 2010 at 7:52 PM

    thanks rouaa :)

    ReplyDelete

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