Smart Adaptation of Forest Landscapes in Mountain Areas

The “Smart Adaptation of Forest Landscapes in Mountain Areas (SALMA)” is a five year project implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Lebanon starting December 2016, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Environment. The project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) with a budget of USD 7,147,635. It intends to enhance climate resilience of vulnerable forest ecosystems, while promoting the resilience and livelihoods of vulnerable rural communities in mountain areas through sustainable forest management of 1000 hectares, and the reforestation of another 1000 hectares.

Interventions will also focus on reducing the risk of forest fires through the adoption of improved and innovative integrated management practices, as well as reducing the risk of pest outbreaks by promoting integrated forest management and forest restoration techniques. The project will also assist consortiums of municipalities and reforestation partners, such as NGOs and universities,  to develop and implement participatory reforestation plans.