Setting the path towards a National Natural Park …

Since 2004, Mada has been setting the path toward the establishment of a National Park in North Lebanon in the area of Akkar-Dunniyeh. The mountainous area hosts the largest continuous vegetation cover in the country gathering diverse forest types of the hills of the northern part of Western Lebanon Mountain Range. The villages have unfavorable living conditions, and their populations endure very poor standards of living. The region is acknowledged as one of high importance in terms of its biological, cultural, and aesthetic values. It was classified by the Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR) as a unique National Park among seven parks ‘to be', six of which are intended as regional.

In 2006, Mada launched a set of activities over a pilot area of 220 km2 covering biodiversity assessment and socio-economic and ecotourism projects. The building-up of a database which includes biological, social, and economic aspects aims at developing management guidelines for the National Natural Park which will contribute to the promotion of socio-economic development and the conservation of natural resources. It will also favor and strengthen the application of environmental management principles.