Lebanon to become green again

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cedar of LebanonAgriculture Minister Akram Chehayeb launched his “Tree for Every Citizen” project in Lebanon in the south on Monday
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NGOs including The Green without Borders, Amal Baladi and Generations for Peace organizations launched the project with a ceremony held at the Jaber Cultural Center in Nabatieh. The aim of the campaign is to make the environment a higher-profile issue among civil society groups, unions and municipalities, according to media reports

“Let’s stand together to defend our land,” said Mustafa Badreddine, head of Amal Baladi.

Chehayeb announced earlier this month the reforestation project with a goal to plant 40 million trees across Lebanon.

In 1980, forests covered 30 percent of the entire country, but by 2011 this figure had fallen to just 13 percent according to media reports

In 2010, the Agriculture Ministry set a target of achieving 20 percent forest coverage by 2020, which would represent the addition of some 2 million trees each year. Chehayeb’s goal seems more ambitious.

The cedar tree at the center of Lebanon’s national flag may indicate a totally green country , while that once was the case, the tree today in the flag is just a symbol after decades of mismanagement and conflicts .

Not since the eighties has there been any significant effort in trying to plant more cedar trees.

In the eighties while the civil war was raging Dr. Aref Abdul Baki, one of the world’s top agricultural scientists took a leave of absence from USDA ( United States Department of Agriculture ) and embarked on a project to plant half a million Cedar trees in the Shouf mountain reservation. PSP leader Walid Jumblatt reportedly backed Abdul Baki’s project and offered him thousands of his militia men to help him plant the Cedar trees.

Today’s event was attended by several officials including Hezbollah MPs Mohammad Raad and Hasan Fadlallah, Change and Reform bloc MP Ziad Aswad and Amal Movement MP Hani Kobeissi, Badreddine highlighted the importance of maintaining Lebanon’s land and natural resources.

Badreddine revealed that 300,000 trees would be planted this year through the project.

The campaign aims at planting a million trees over the next five years in the south.

In addition, training workshops will be held for officials at the various municipalities.

“Planting one tree is a [kind of] medicine that will prevent numerous illnesses,” said Amal Abu Zeid, the chairman of the board of trustees of the Generations for Peace.

Chehayeb said he hoped the green spaces in Lebanon would once again cover 20 percent of the country through programs like a Tree for Every Citizen
“Bless each hand that plants, bless each hand that protects [nature]. I express appreciation to all the activists,” he said.

Chehayeb also stressed that cooperation and collaboration among all Lebanese factions would shield the country from the turmoil gripping the region.

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18 responses to “Lebanon to become green again”

  1. MekensehParty Avatar
    MekensehParty

    At the pace of scandals at all levels at least people will have some wood to burn when the country, its institutions and services completely collapse

    1. Maborlz Ez-Hari Avatar
      Maborlz Ez-Hari

      Your so pessimistic but you may actually have a point.

      1. 5thDrawer Avatar

        Yah … and I think that’s the last ‘Blessed Cedar’ in a protected shrine in that picture.
        The wood they will need to burn is the pine-nut and fruit trees.
        Maybe, the olives ….. 😉

  2. In Lebanon arrested singer Ali Barakat, the “voice” of Hezbollah”

  3. sweetvirgo Avatar

    Is this really that important?? How about electing a president?? How about the resolving or finding a solution to the refugee crisis?? How about getting our policmen and soldiers back from those thugs??

    1. Of course it is important to have a green Lebanon . Having a green Lebanon does not conflict with electing president or taking care of the refugees . At least you will be able to breath clean and fresh air

      1. sweetvirgo Avatar

        I agree to some extent that it is important to the environment but its costly and it’s not critical as other things that Lebanon should be focused on.

      2. 5thDrawer Avatar

        They might suck up some of the tyre-rubber smoke …. maybe …

    2. man-o-war Avatar

      It’s 100x more important than electing a president. I don’t understand why planting trees and raising environmental awareness can’t be done concurrently with the things you mentioned.

      1. sweetvirgo Avatar

        I hear what you are saying and I do agree with you but like I said to Doron, there are so many critical issues that is plaguing Lebanon today. Let’s tackle some of those before planting trees. There are people set on destroying Lebanon. Trees won’t protect it.

        Question for you….what’s with the avatar?? I just noticed it LOL….you must love eggs and bacon ;)))

        1. man-o-war Avatar

          Eggs and bacon served on lightly toasted buns! My favorite breakfast ; )

          1. 5thDrawer Avatar

            Who’s buns? They look so smooooth …. 😉

    3. imo it is.restoring and rehabilitating nature is important for humanity and the planet. wish all governments act the same.
      there are actions we take for today and actions we take for tomorrow, neither should come on the expanse of other.

      1. sweetvirgo Avatar

        Doron how are you my friend?? I hope all is well ;)))

        1. hey Virgo, i’m good as always , we got our first winter storm today and i’m a winter person , woke up with a huge smile today 🙂
          how are my friend , and why you stop us saving the planet? 😛

          1. sweetvirgo Avatar

            Winter has already hit Chicago and I’m not happy about that 🙁 as far as the planet goes…I do believe in green believe it or not :)) I just think Lebanon has so many critical issues to handle. What’s the point in planting so many trees if they are going to be blown up?? Glad to see you are well my friend :))

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