Restoration and Protection of Anjar Wetland for Biodiversity Conservation and Climate Resilience
Organization: Society for the protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL)
Award Amount: €34 000
Project Type: PROZHUM Small Project
Duration: January 2024 – December 2026
Project Contact: Fatima Hayek, fhayek@spnl.org
Keywords: habitat protection; awareness; engagement
SPNL team meeting with Anjar municipality © Fatima Hayek
Summary
The Anjar wetland, located amidst a complex of seasonal and permanent (Shamsine and Ghazal) rivers, provides habitat for the globally threatened breeding European Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur) and Syrian Serin (Serinus syriacus) bird species, and plays a crucial role in supporting livelihoods, particularly through agriculture and ecotourism. As testament to its importance to nature and communities, in 2008 BirdLife International approved this area as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area, and the municipal council declared it a Hima (“protected place” in Arabic), both actions in close collaboration with SPNL. Despite these declarations, the ecosystem faces threats from pollution, unsustainable agricultural practices, water extraction, and illegal hunting, and additional risks from climate change. To mitigate ongoing degradation, restoration and management efforts are required.
In this PROZHUM Small Project, SPNL will assess the current state of the wetland and develop a comprehensive management plan that includes water extraction guidelines, climate change forecasts, restoration actions, pollution mitigation, and climate change adaptation measures. Workshops for farmers and hunters will increase local capacity to implement sustainable agriculture and reduce illegal hunting behaviors. With acute attention given to equity on conservation, the project empowers women in leadership positions in trainings and eco-tourism activities, and organizes education and citizen science programs to instill environmental responsibility among younger generations.
Objectives
- Develop Recommendations on Wetland Restoration and Management
- Support Behavioral Change and Capacity Building
- Promote Ecotourism
Resources
- Learn more about the PROZHUM project
Funding
Agence Française de Développement (AFD) implements France’s policy on international development and solidarity. Through its financing of NGOs and the public sector, as well as its research and publications, AFD supports and accelerates transitions towards a fairer, more resilient world. It also provides training in sustainable development (at AFD Campus) and other awareness-raising activities in France.