I. OVERVIEW OF THE RESERVE

The Shouf Biosphere Reserve 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. Al-Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve is managed by the Al-Shouf Cedar Society, which is a non governmental organization that conceived the idea of the reserve, created it, and currently manages it in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment.

The largest of Lebanon?s nature reserves, the Al-Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve stretches from Dahr Al Baidar in the north to Niha Mountain in the south. Blanketed with oak forest on its northeastern and southeastern slopes and in addition to juniper forest in the southeast, the reserve?s most famous attractions are its three magnificent cedar forests of Ma?aser Al-Shouf, Al Barouk and Ain Zhalta/Bmohray. These cedar forests account for a quarter of the remaining cedar forest in Lebanon, and some trees are about 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 birds and plants.

The Al-Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve is a popular destination for hiking and trekking, with trails catering to all levels of fitness. Bird watching, mountain biking and snow shoeing are also popular. From the summit of the rugged mountains, visitors will find a panoramic view of the countryside, eastward to the Beqa?a Valley (Qaraoun lake) and westward toward the Mediterranean.

Tourism is a major activity in the Shouf Biosphere Reserve and is on the increase. Visitors arrive at one of three entrances namely: Barouk Forest, Maaser Forest, Ain-Zahalta/Bmohrai Forest and Niha Fort. The total number of visitors was 20,772 in 2003 and 28,067 in 2004. This annual increase is expected to continue provided that the tourist facilities are expanded to meet the increased demand.

The most relevant wildlife species already identified is composed from 32 species of wild mammals, 200 species of birds (Important Bird Area), and 500 species of plants, several of those are considered rare or threatened species at international level.



Archaeological sites in the Reserve
Shqiff Tyron, also known as the Niha Fort, is located in the southwest part of the reserve near the village of Niha. The Fort overlooks Jezzine and was used by the Crusaders as an observation point on the road that used to link Sidon to the Beqa?a Valley.

The activities of the reserve
The activities of the reserve are focused on several areas of biodiversity management:
 Forestry: Reforestation and protection of the forest ecosystem and particularly the cedar forest.
 Biodiversity conservation: Protection of the endangered wildlife and reintroduction of the endangered species, as well as control of activities that threaten the local biodiversity, such as hunting and intensive and / or wildlife collection or use.
 Eco-tourism and ecology: Eco-development of the region respecting the natural equilibrium of the natural habitats and the protection of the natural heritage.
 Natural resources conservation: Implementation of environmentally sound management, prevention of destructive activities, natural resources rehabilitation, prevention of natural disasters, and others.
 Biological database elaboration: Part of the landscape ecology and space management activities using information tools such as remote sensing, photo interpretation, and cartography.
 Training of the staff on technological and administrative topics.
 Public awareness and involvement on biodiversity conservation issues, specially related to the reserve.
These target activities are covered in four major reserve programs, which are:
 Environmental Awareness Program: It aims at increasing the knowledge and responsiveness of the local communities (individuals and organizations) that are part of the reserve on the importance of preserving nature and, eventually, making them active actors of the reserve conservation.
 Eco-Tourism Program: Annually, more than 20,000 tourists visit the Al-Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve (60% Lebanese nationality and 40 % various foreign nationalities). The management team of the reserve aims at developing alternative eco-touristic programs to the visitors including hiking, trekking, bird watching, animal observation, glooming, biking, climbing, star gazing, rope games, educational activities, and others.
 Research and Monitoring Program: The Research and Monitoring Center (R&MC) of Al-Shouf Cedars was created to generate and supply high quality of scientific information and expertise on biodiversity management and natural and cultural heritage projects. This program has as ultimate objective to establish the reserve as a national and, eventually, regional training center on conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
 Rural Development Program: It started in 1999 with the objective to involve rural families in the conservation activities of the reserve. It fosters the execution of community-based activities in which the reserve?s biological resources are used in a sustainable manner while enhancing the preservation of the traditional knowledge, promoting women empowerment, and capacitating the people involved.
II. SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITIONS OF THE AL-SHOUF CEDAR COMMUNITIES

Nine communities are directly linked with the reserve (Ain Dara, Bmehrai, Ain Zhalta, Barouk, Al Maaser, El Khreibé, Mresté, Jebé, and Niha) where about 50.000 people live in these regions. Another seven communities are also involved: Aamik, Keb Elias, Aana, Kefraya, Kherbet Anafar, Saghbine, Ain Zebdé where about 40.000 people live in these regions.
Most of the population of these areas belongs to middle and low economic-income class. Around 50% of them are employees of different public and private institutions, 25% depend on agriculture, 15% work in the private sector, and 10% work in seasonal jobs basically public services.
As any other rural community, there exists an intensive use of the natural resources especially wild life. These natural resources are severely threatened by unsustainable practices that are carried out by people whose economic activity depends on the use of biodiversity, such as grazing and medicinal and aromatic plants collection. Conservation cannot be executed in an isolated manner of the local communities whose involvement affects the sustainability and conservation of the Reserve. It is necessary to address the prevailing socio-economic needs of these communities. There is therefore an urgent need to set a system that optimizes both: biodiversity conservation and economic benefit from the biological resources through sustainable use of wild life.

III. OBJECTIVES

Main Objective: Biodiversity Conservation through Rural Development Activities
Specific Objectives:
1. Management and Organization of the grazing in the southern sector of the Reserve
2. Raising Awareness about the unorganized hunting in Lebanon
3. Conserving and Proper Use of Medicinal, Edible and Aromatic Plants
4. Support the Eco-Tourism program in the southern sector of the Reserve