Nature Reserves
“Nature Reserves” is the most well-established, managed, and studied form of PAs in the country they are created for the purpose of protecting natural habitats as well as endemic and endangered species. Reserves are created through legislative texts defining their geographical borders, objectives, restricted and allowed activities within the reserves and within a 500-meter buffer zone, penalties, and management committees to be in charge of the reserves.
Nature Reserves occupy around 2.7% of the country’s area and incorporate rich biodiversity with about 370 different kinds of birds and 2,000 types of plants and wild flowers, many of which are endemic to Lebanon. The nature reserves also host 30 species of mammals, including the wolf, hyena, wildcat, porcupine and squirrel.
Nature Reserves have an important role in the protection and sustainable management of natural resources, especially biodiversity. They also constitute a crucial component in local and rural development, through the influx of visitor who contribute, via ecotourism, to the income of local communities living within the area of natural reserves. The reserves’ committees always work on enhancing the benefits of local communities without compromising the reserve’s status by involving locals in their activities. For example, visiting and trekking guides are trained locals in all reserves, visits to the Palm Islands are solely scheduled via local fishermen and boat owners, and Al-Shouf Cedar Reserve implemented a rural development project whereby visitors are introduced to local crafts and can purchase local products labelled as products of the reserve. Furthermore, Nature Reserves in Lebanon have a major awareness and educational role. Inventories of floral and faunal species are available for each reserve, research projects are on-going as part of the reserves’ activities, knowledge is transferred through the reserves’ websites, pamphlets, brochures, books, television interviews, magazines, newspapers, and educational activities.
We have 18 nature reserves in Lebanon.
Nature Reserves in Lebanon
Nature Reserve |
Legal instrument |
Date of creation |
Approximate Surface Area (ha) |
Elevation Zone (m) |
International Designations |
Management Plan |
November 18, 2011 |
20 |
~550 |
None |
No |
||
February 20, 1999 |
75.31 |
250 – 800 |
Important Bird Area |
Yes |
||
Debl Nature Reserve |
November 18, 2011 |
25 |
~600 |
None |
No |
|
Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve |
March 09, 1992 |
1,740 |
1,200 - 1,900 |
Important Bird Area |
Yes |
|
Jaj Cedars Nature Reserve |
April 15, 2014 |
20 |
~1,650 |
None |
No |
|
Kafra Nature Reserve |
November 18, 2011 |
40 |
~650 |
None |
No |
|
Karm Chbat Nature Reserve |
October 06, 1995 |
520 |
1,400 - 1,900 |
None |
No |
|
Mashaa Chnaniir Nature Reserve |
July 29, 2010 |
27 |
500 – 530 |
None |
No |
|
Palm Island Nature Reserve |
March 09, 1992 |
417.73 (The three islands with 500m. Of surrounding water) |
Sea level |
Ramsar Site, Specially Protected Area, Specially Protected Area of Mediterranean Importance (SPAMI), Important Bird Area |
Yes |
|
Ramya Nature Reserve |
November 18, 2011 |
20 |
~650 |
None |
No |
|
Al Shouf Cedars Nature Reserve |
July 24, 1996 |
15,647 |
900 - 2,000 |
Biosphere Reserve, Important Bird Area |
Yes |
|
Tannourine Cedar Forest Nature Reserve |
February 20, 1999 |
195.48 |
1,300 - 1,800 |
Important Bird Area |
Yes |
|
Tyre Coast Nature Reserve |
November 05, 1998 |
3,889.25 (Land: 176.32, Sand: 6.12, Water: 3,706.81) |
Sea level |
Ramsar Site, Specially Protected Area of Mediterranean Importance (SPAMI) |
Yes |
|
Wadi Al Houjeir Nature Reserve |
July 23, 2010 |
3,595 |
250 – 400 |
None |
No |
|
Yammouneh Nature Reserve |
February 20, 1999 |
2,100 |
1,400 - 2,000 |
None |
No |
|
Abbassieh Nature Reserve |
May 5, 2020 |
293.54 |
Sea level |
None |
No |
|
Nmayrieh Nature Reserve |
May 5, 2020 |
10.21 |
320 |
None |
No |
|
Mount Haramoun Nature Reserve |
December, 12 2020 |
1260 |
~2800 |
None |
No |
National Day for Nature Reserves
From nature, we eat, in nature we find shelter, and on nature depends our economy, progress and civilization…From nature, we learnt how to float, how to fly, how to build and how to change…
March 10 was declared a National day for Nature Reserves by the Council of Ministers Decision no. 47 of 13/3/2002.
This declaration designates national and governmental recognition of the importance of nature and the importance of its protection.