NNA – Minister of Environment Nasser Yassin and Walid Nassar, the Tourism Minister, launched Friday’s most notable activities to mark the National Day of Nature Reserves (March 10 each year).
The ceremony, which was held at the Ministry of Environment’s Green Hall, was attended by representatives of nature reserve committees and environmental activists.
In his address, the Minister of Environment said that despite the fact that Lebanon’s eighteen reserves constituted only three percent of the country’s area, they represented a vivid example of the smart and fruitful alignment between the protection of biodiversity and local economic development.
“We are currently in the process of announcing ten new reserves and natural sites, and we aspire to circulate them as reserves,” Yassin added.
He went on to say that Lebanon’s eighteen nature reserves constituted a successful model for local administration and decentralization of development, where there are local committees and administrations composed of representatives of local authorities and active members in their respective areas, who manage the reserves and work to ensure their continuity and financial sustainability.
“This is a model through which the Ministry of Environment has proven that true decentralization can be achieved and continues through sustainable development,” maintained Yassin.
The Minister of Tourism for his part stressed the importance tourism and the environment to showcase the beautiful face of Lebanon.
“At the Ministry of Tourism, we are working on administrative decentralization of tourism. We’ve agreed with the Minister of Environment that the existing reserves should have information offices, and these offices will be developed to serve citizens in the regions and will become administrative offices connected to the Ministry of Tourism,” Nassar said.
The Tourism Minister expressed his hope that Byblos will host the first conference for sustainable tourist.
“We are working on establishing a marine reserve in the city of Byblos. This project will be executed in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment. I call on all those responsible for the reserves in Lebanon to join us in this event,” Nassar added.
Meanwhile, and marking the National Day of Nature Reserves in Lebanon, and in line with this year’s celebrations under the title of “#The Beautiful Face of Lebanon”, the Ministry of Environment announced in a statement the opening of nature reserve gates to visitors free of charge on Thursday, March 10, 2022 and Saturday, March 12, 2022, inviting everyone to visit Lebanon’s striking reserves, namely: Al-Shouf Cedar, Ehden Forest, Tannourine Cedar Forest, Bentael reserve, Chnaneir reserve, Wadi Al-Hujair reserve, Cedars Jaj, and Al-Yamuna, as well as Jabal Moussa Biosphere Reserve.
According to the statement visitors could also learn about wildlife and enjoy the natural landscapes, as well as engage in eco-tourism activities such nature walks or snowshoeing. For this National Day, there will be a variety activities in the aforementioned reserves from March 4 to March 13.
=================R.H.
