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See Also Law of Al-Shouf Cedar Reserve |
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About Al-Shouf
Cedar Reserve
The largest of Lebanon nature reserves, Al-Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve
stretches from Dahr Al-Baidar in the north to Niha Mountain in the south.
blanketed with oak forests on its northeastern slopes and juniper and oak
forests on its southeastern slopes the reserve's most famous attractions
are its three magnificent cedar forests of Maasser Al-Shouf , Barouk
and Ain Zhalta - Bmohary . These Cedar forests account for a quarter of
the remaining cedar forest in Lebanon , and some tress are estimated to
be 2,000 years old. The size of the reserve makes it a good location for
the conservation of medium size mammals such as the wolf and the
Lebanese jungle cat, as well as various species of mountain and plants.
The Al-Shouf Cedar Nature
Reserve is a popular destination for hiking and trekking, with trails
matching all levels of fitness. Bird watching, mountain biking and snow
shoeing are also popular. From the summit of the rugged mountains,
visitors will have a panoramic view of the countryside, eastward to the
Beqa'a Valley and Qaraoun Lake, and westward toward the Mediterranean.
Shouf
Biosphere Reserve overview
The Shouf Biosphere Reserve (SBR) was declared a UNESCO Biosphere
Reserve in 2005. Within the Biosphere Reserve is the Al-Shouf Cedar
Reserve (the largest in Lebanon) which was declared a protected area by
law in 1996 by the Government of Lebanon. Tourism is a major activity in
the Shouf Biosphere Reserve. Visitors arrive at one of four entrances
namely: Barouk Cedar Forest, Maaser Cedar Forest, Ain-Zahalta/Bmohrai
Cedar Forest and Niha Fort.
The Shouf Biosphere Reserve covers about 5% of the overall area of
Lebanon and extends along the ridge of the western chain of Mount
Lebanon from Dahr-el Baidar in the north to Jezzine in the south and
overlooks both the Bekaa valley to the east and Shouf region to the
west.
The Shouf Biosphere Reserve includes twenty four (24) villages and two
protected areas, Al-Shouf Cedar Reserve and Ammiq Wetland, both of which
are fast becoming major natural attractions for Lebanon and the region.
The altitude of the Reserve varies from about 1000 meters to about 2000
meters above sea level and encompasses a number of important vegetative
zones.
The Shouf Biosphere Reserve represents one of the few remaining natural
landscapes of Mount Lebanon that were described in the Epic of Gilgamesh
and the Old Testament as well as in countless documents throughout
history.
SBR is managed by Al- Shouf Cedar Society (ACS), which was established
in 1994. ACS founds and manages the Al-Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve (ACR)
since 1996 in cooperation with Governmental Appointed Committee and
under the umbrella of Ministry of Environment.
Main characteristics:
- Largest Nature Reserve in Lebanon
- Globally southern limit of cedrus libani
- Important Bird Area
- A Biosphere Reserve
Main objectives:
- Natural and Cultural Heritage Conservation
- Research and Monitoring
- Rural Development
- Eco-Tourism
- Environmental Awareness
- Capacity Building
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Al-Shouf Cedar
Society
Al-Shouf Cedar
Society is an environmental NGO, that conceived the idea of
the reserve, created it, and currently manages it by cooperation
with the
Appointed Protected Area Committee under the umbrella
of Ministry of Environment. Our main objective is natural and
cultural heritage conservation in cooperation with the local
community through environmental, awareness and eco-tourism
activities. |
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Executive committee of the society
- Walid Joumblat - President
- Akram Shihayeb - Vice President
- Michele Skaff - Secretary General
- Mounir Mghabghab - treasurer
- Karim Alameddine - Advisor
- Charles Noujaim - Advisor
- Wahib Ghayth – Advisor
- Faisal Abuezzeddine – Advisor
- Noura Joumblat – Advisor
- Sami Haddad – Advisor
- Fouad Mahmoud – Advisor
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Appointed protected Area Committee
- Charles Noujaim – President
- Waheeb Ghaith – Secretary General
- Bahij Bou Hamzeh – Treasurer
- Faisal Abuezzeddine - Expert
- Mounir Mghabghab – Advisor
- Boutros Nakhleh – Advisor
- Touma Arida – Advisor
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Management team :
Fouad Mahmoud - Manager
Administrative team
Walid Hassan - Assistant manager
Naifa Kanso -Secretary
Scientific team
Nizar Hani - Scientific coordinator
Wissam Abou Daher - Awareness coordinator
Technical Assitants
Kamal Abou
Assi - Communication and marketing
Samer Zebian - Research and monitoring
Faten Ghayth - Rural development
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Responsible of the entrances - Rangers and Guides
- Houssam El Ide - Ain Zhalta-Bmohray
Cedar entrance
- Akram Mahmoud, Houssam Ghanem, Chadi Kerbaj and Wissam Mahmoud
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Barouk Cedar entrance
- Talal Riman and Ramzi Braik –
Maaser El-Chouf Cedar entrance
- Chafik Merchad – Niha Entrance
- Ribal Temraz, Ali Ghanem –
Seasonal Staff
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