The “Smart Adaptation of Forest Landscapes in Mountain Areas” (SALMA) FAO- led project, funded by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), kicked off reforestation and afforestation activities in Lebanon for this year. In collaboration with the Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture, and in partnership with municipalities and NGOs, the activities started during the first week of November 2019 by planting around 9,000 seedlings in different parts of the country.

On November 5, 2019, SHEILD NGO planted 3,500 seedlings out of 36,000 planned in Taybeh, Nabatieh, in partnership with Taybeh municipality and the World Food Programme (WFP). SHEILD aims at planting 5,000 seedlings per week till the end of 2019 depending on weather conditions.  

“SHEILD and FAO are working together to restore and compensate for what has been lost of green areas of Lebanon. This could be the first step in the thousand miles journey to get back the green Lebanon”, said Ayman Alroz, SHEILD Executive Director.

Jouzour Loubnan NGO planted 3,000 cedar seedlings out of 16,650 to be planted over an area of 20 hectares in Jaj Cedars Nature Reserve. The activity started in November 2019 and will continue till October 2021. The NGO has already worked in close collaboration with the local authorities and municipalities of the Mount Lebanon region. According to Jouzour Loubnan, these initiatives are a great success, have a positive impact and trigger a deep sense of gratitude from the local community.

In the Jurd of Keserouan, the Lebanon Reforestation Initiative (LRI) planted 2,000 seedlings of Cedrus libani, Juniperus exelca, Pyrus syriaca and other species.

In Keserouan, LRI adopted an integrated land use planning approach taking into consideration many factors and land users in the plot including shepherds, hunters, and tour operators.

Juan Hobeiche, Head of the Keserouan Union of Municipalities, participated in the afforestation activity implemented by LRI. He highlighted its benefits and the importance of the conservation and sustainable management of the forests. “Afforestation and reforestation have a socio-cultural impact as they push citizens to be attached to their home country and land” Hobeiche said adding: “We are trying to get students, scouts, and NGOs involved in such activities. We will also involve the staff of the Union of Municipalities in the planting.”

The SALMA project will continue the reforestation and afforestation activities throughout the year in partnership with several NGOs and municipalities in Lebanon. In South Lebanon, FAO will be working with the Association for Forests, Development and Conversation (AFDC) and AMWAJ of the environment and SHEILD. In North Lebanon, the activities will be carried out in partnership with Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve and the Committee of Cedar Forest Friends. In the Bekaa, Cooperation Without Borders for Tailored Development (CWB), the Lebanese Organization for Studies and Training (LOST) and LRI will be implementing the activities in close coordination with municipalities and local stakeholders; while Oaks & Cedars will be planting on the slopes of Hammana.

Reforestation and afforestation efforts are taking place in the framework of FAO’s ongoing support to “The 40 Million Trees Pogramme” launched by the Ministry of Agriculture in 2012. This programme aims at increasing the Lebanese forest cover from 13 percent to 20 percent by 2030 through planting 70,000 ha (40 million trees).

Through the SALMA project, FAO is also promoting a climate resilient and participatory sustainable forest management approach aiming at maintaining and restoring connectivity within ecological corridors, while improving the income of vulnerable households living in mountainous areas.

It is worth noting that the FAO GEF-funded SALMA Project (Smart Adaptation of Forest Landscapes in Mountain Areas) is the largest FAO forestry project in the Near East Region.