Kherbet Kanafar

Aiming to protect nature, birds and biodiversity in Lebanon, and to promote the sustainable use of natural resources with people through the revival of the Hima concept, the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) explains more about its "H

Ecotourism in action

The Hima approach is a traditional, community-based method for the conservation of natural resources that have been prevalent in the Arabian Peninsula for more than 1,500 years. In recent times, the Hima approach has witnessed a revival as a complementary means of safeguarding protected areas. Indeed, Lebanon has witnessed the establishment of 19 Himas over the last 12 years alone.

In order to ensure the involvement of local communities in the sustainable management of their sites and natural resources, SPNL introduced responsible tourism under the Hima umbrella to a variety of communities in the Bekaa, offering them valuable training to enhance their skills and serve as

income-generating opportunities. Locals were provided with education on topics such as ecotourism, outdooractivity safety, astronomy and stargazing, connecting with nature through discovering the shepherd trail, and guide training.

KHERBET KANAFAR

Hima Kherbet Kanafar is located on the eastern slopes of the Shouf Mountain range, overlooking the stunning Bekaa Valley. It is one of the top priority sites for conservation and Hima revival in Lebanon given that it is situated in the middle of the Shouf Biosphere Cedar Reserve, the Ammiq Wetlands and Qaraoun Lake, all identified and approved as Important Bird Areas (IBAS).