Friday’s activities marked the National Day of Nature Reserves. It falls on March 10, each year, and was launched by Walid Nassar, Tourism Minister, and Environment Minister Nasser Yassin.
Representatives of nature reserve and environmental activists attended the ceremony in the Ministry of Environment’s Green Hall.
The Environment Minister stated that, despite the fact that the country’s 18 reserves only 3% of its total area, they were a striking example of the intelligent and fruitful alignment between local economic development and the protection of biodiversity.
Yassin said, “We are currently in process of announcing 10 new natural sites and reserves, and we aspire they to circulate as reserves.”
He stated that Lebanon’s 18 nature reserves were a successful model of local administration and centralization of development. These reserves are managed by local committees and administrations consisting of representatives of local authorities and active members of their respective areas. They work to ensure the reserves’ continuity and financial sustainability.
Yassin maintained, “This model has shown that true decentralization is possible and continues through sustainable growth.”
The Tourism Minister, for his part, stressed the importance of tourism and the environment in showcasing the beauty of Lebanon.
“We are working with the Tourism Ministry to decentralize administrative tourism. Nassar stated, “We have agreed with Environment Minister that existing reserves should have information office. These offices will serve citizens in the regions. They will also become administrative offices connected the Ministry of Tourism.”
The Tourism Minister expressed his hope that Jbeil would be the host of the first conference for sustainable tourist.
“We are currently working to establish a marine reserve in Jbeil. This project will be executed in cooperation with Environment Ministry. Nassar stated that he appealed to all the people responsible for the Lebanon’s reserves to join us in this endeavor.
In addition, to mark the National Day of Nature Reserves (Lebanon) and in accordance with this year’s celebrations, the Environment Ministry announced that the Nature Reserve Gates will be open to all visitors on Thursday, March 10, 2022, and Saturday, March 12, 20,22. This invites everyone to visit Lebanon’s striking reserves, including: Chouf Cedar Forest and Tannourine Cedar Forest, Ehden Forest and Tannourine Cedar Forest, Bentael Reserve and Chnaniir Reserve, Wadi Al-Yamuna Biosphere Reserve and Jabal Mousssa Biosphere Reserve and Jabal Moussssa Biosphere Reserve and Jabal Mousssa Biosphere Reserve and Jabal Moussa Biosphere Reserve and Jabal Moussa Biosphere Reserve and Jabal Moussa Biosphere Reserve and Jabal Mosa Biosphere Reservesa Biosphere Reservesa Biosphere Reservesa Biosphere Reservesa Biosphere Reservesa Biosphere Reservesa Biosphere
According to the statement, visitors to these reserves can learn about wildlife and enjoy the landscape. They can also engage in eco-tourism activities like snowshoeing or nature walks. For this National Day, there will be a variety activities in the aforementioned reserves from March 4 to March 13.
