USAID-supported North Social Environment Corridor

The ‘Social and Environmental Corridor Planning Committee in the North’ launched yesterday its ten year environment strategy to improve ecological conditions and expand the green cover in the area, in the presence of caretaker agriculture minister, Akram Shehayeb, represented by Iqbal Ziadeh. Also present, were mayors of the beneficiary municipalities, namely, Ehden, Bkarkasha, Hasrun, Beshareh, Tanurine, Shatin, Jaj, Lehfid, Ehmej, Akura, Yamooneh and Maqneh. The Committee outlined in a statement activities embraced in the action plan, namely: forestation, forest fire prevention, awareness campaigns, forest management, eco-tourism, capacity building and communication. The said strategy is supported by the Lebanon Reforestation Initiative LRI, funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), and implemented by the US Forest Service USFS. On the occasion, USAID representative underlined the role of the above planning committee in liaising with neighbor local communities and inspiring them to address their common environmental needs. He stressed USAID commitment to support the Committee in enhancing its capacities in the management of the corridor. The ceremony closed with planting a tree in Ehden Nature Reserve to highlight the significance of teamwork in the restoration and protection of Lebanon’s forests. (Al Diyar, November 16, 2016)