News > SISPAM project prepared a new category system for protected areas in Lebanon

As protected areas designation in Lebanon has not followed any criteria or procedure, this process has unfortunately excluded many of the Lebanese unique and valuable ecosystems, landscape, and habitats with all what they endow of beauty and biodiversity of any legal or pronounced protection.

This stato de facto has exposed Lebanese lands to various threats aggravated by population growth, urbanization and industrialization leading to desertification, deforestation, infestations, erosion, and destruction of the ecosystems and habitats.

Affirming the need to have a clear vision for the protection of the Lebanese lands, ecosystems, landscape, habitats and biodiversity to conserve the natural resources and ecological services on which our survival depends, MOE within the framework of the Stable Institutional Structure for Protected Areas Management (SISPAM) Project is currently preparing a protected areas category system for Lebanon.

As this issue is a national responsibility, it must be shared by all relevant PA stakeholders and the community at large. For this purpose, a large number of key stakeholders were consulted such as ministries (Environment, Tourism, Transport, Culture, and Energy & Water), universities, Nature Reserves Committees and management teams, municipalities and independent experts.

The proposed national category system for PAs in Lebanon is consistent to the IUCN category system. It is composed of:

1. National Park (IUCN Category II),

2. Natural Monument (IUCN Category III),

3. Habitat/Species Management Areas (IUCN Category III), and

4. Protected Landscapes/Seascapes (IUCN Category IV).

                      a) Hima System

As these categories are still not yet officially adopted, please share with us your input, thoughts and comments.