Sustainable Development of the Buffer Zone of the Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve
This initiative
is strengthening the management of the Shouf Biosphere Reserve (SBR),
representing the largest nature reserve in Lebanon. The activities of the
project promote in first place the development of the SBR particularly in terms
of technical and infrastructural capacity for the sustainable development of
its buffer zone, which plays a fundamental role for the protection of the
natural and cultural heritage of the region and of the whole country. Among
others it is foreseen to develop and implement an action plan for the
protection of the biodiversity, to enhance the managerial capacity through
specific training activities, to valorize biomass residues for energy purposes
and to carry out activities for sustainable agriculture.
The general
objective of this project is to improve the conservation and the protection of
the Lebanese natural heritage in collaboration with the central and local
authorities.
The specific
objective is to strengthen the technical, managerial and infrastructural
capacities of the Shouf Biosphere Reserve and of the Ministry of Environment in
order to reach a sustainable utilization of the natural resources of the buffer
zone.
The direct
beneficiaries are the approximately 80.000 residents of the 22 villages
belonging to the SBR which could take advantage from additional forms of
revenue from sustainable resource management practices. Furthermore, the
launching of small medium enterprises by the new generation will be stimulated
in order to mitigate the abandoning of the rural zones by the youth.
The indirect
beneficiary is the Lebanese population since the reserve is considered a
national heritage.