National Report to the Fifth Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests LEBANON

Transcription

1 National Report to the Fifth Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests LEBANON Octobre

2 I. Key Contacts Head of Forestry and UNFF national focal point in Lebanon: Name: Title: Ghattas AKL Director of Rural Development and Natural Resources Contact information: Address: Ministry of Agriculture Ouzaii Beirut - Lebanon Phone: Fax: fadyasmar@terra.net.lb Person to contact concerning the national report, if other than the UNFF national focal point: Name: Title: Fady ASMAR Head of Service of Rangelands, Public Gardens and Protected Forests Contact information: Address: Ministry of Agriculture Phone: Fax: fadyasmar@terr.net.lb 2

3 The Rural Development and Natural Resources Directorate (RDNRD) in the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) is the official body in charge of the forest sector, including rangelands and protected forests in Lebanon. The MOA s mandate is to develop the agricultural sector, at both plant and animal level and to protect and manage the natural resources. Before the institution of Ministry of Environment, the MOA was in charge of the preparation and implementation of all the laws and legislation related to the natural resources. The first forest legislation was written in Decrees and laws were added. Legally, the MOA can develop laws subject to Government approval as well as Ministerial Decrees and decisions (such as the deployment and training of forest guards). The MOA has the mandate to undertake reforestation/afforestation projects; to protect, supervise and manage the natural resources (forest fires prevention, management and control; illegal wood harvesting; forest pest management and control...) and to provide assistance whenever necessary. The State Ministry for Environmental Affairs was first created in May It aimed at controlling all forms of pollution, the use of pesticides, deforestation and forest fires, solid waste disposal, protection of fauna and flora, and urbanisation. There was no comprehensive environmental law, but specific issues were addressed in sector laws and regulations. These laws included the protection of natural sites, forestry, archaeological and touristic sites, drinking water, sewage, marine pollution, air pollution, industry, hunting, fishing, urban development, mining, food control, housing and toxic waste disposal. In April 1993, the MOE was established, marking a significant step forward in the management of environmental affairs. The Ministry of Environment is in charge of the protected areas in general and has lately been handed the responsibility to prepare and undertake a reforestation program. As a matter of fact, in 2001 the Government of Lebanon has allocated a considerable budget on a five years basis allowing the Ministry of Environment to prepare and implement a reforestation-afforestation plan, although this task has always been the responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture. The Ministry of Agriculture is working on the implementation of the UNFF resolutions at the different levels. However, since the last reporting exercise no major changes have occurred, but things are still moving progressively towards the adoption and application of the resolutions. The new elements that confirm this progress are the following: The Assessment and Evaluation of Forests and Trees Resources The Directorate for Rural Development and Natural Resources within the Ministry of Agriculture, with a technical and financial assistance of FAO through a TCP project is 3

4 carrying out the first national forest and tree inventory and assessment. This project aims at reaching the following results: A verifiable and accurate baseline information on the state of the forest and tree resources, their management, uses and users. A long term monitoring through a network of permanent sample plots and an information system. A support capacity for planning and implementation of national forest inventories/assessments, information management and reporting. The GIS capacity will assimilate and integrate forest/land use map produced based on the remote sensing data available in the MOA and the biophysical, social and economic information that emanates from the national forest and tree inventory/assessment. The project will significantly enhance the capacity of the MOA in Lebanon to plan and develop more suitable policies towards better protection of the resources and their improved social, economic and environmental functions and the role of the civil society in resources conservation and development. The project will help tying closer collaboration and partnership between national institutions and the civil society. It will promote scientific exchange, assist technological transfer and consolidate overall local capacity building. The aim of this project is to build the national expertise in periodic resources inventory/assessment, geographical information systems, and information management to achieve the goal of creating a self-supporting data management capacity and integrated this into the decision making processes within the Ministry of Agriculture. The emphasis on local capacity building within the MOA and the Regional Development Services is an important component of developing long term monitoring of resources, an improved information management and support to decision making within the Ministry of Agriculture. The National Forest Programme The MOA is currently in a position to prepare and implement a national forest programme and seeking assistance to that effect. The Ministry of Agriculture is currently applying for assistance for the development of the national forest program, in the framework of the national forest program facility managed by the FAO. On the other hand, non-state stakeholders have shown the interest to prepare management plans and apply them in their areas. The MOA is also studying the possibility of building the capacity of the concerned non-state stakeholders in order to involve them in the different aspects of the national forest program in general, and in the processes of management plans preparation and implementation. As part of the commitment of Lebanon towards the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, and in the absence of a National Forest Programme, The 4

5 National Action Plan to Combat desertification was prepared by the MOA with the assistance of the GTZ, UNDP/DDC. During the NAP preparation process, priority actions were defined based on participatory consultations between the various stakeholders including the conduction of focused group meetings (bringing together scientists, decision makers and NGOs with solid field experience). Causes and effects of land degradation were discussed and proper mitigation measures were formulated. In the absence of a National Forest Programme a National Action Action Programme to Combat desertification was prepared thanks to the assistance of GTZ, UNDP and a contribution from the MOA. The NAP has briefly tackled the issues of the constraints facing the forestry sector and the action plan proposed for the development and conservation of the forests in Lebanon. The constraints facing the forestry sector were identified as follows: Inadequate legislation governing the management of the forest Inadequate forestry policy. Lack of human, technical and financial resources needed for a proper protection and management of forests. Frequent incidence of forest fires. Over-grazing. Inadequate skills for the protection of forests against pests and diseases Limited public awareness. Rapid and unplanned urbanization. Clearance of forests for agricultural purposes. The action plan consists of the following: Adopt a participatory approach fostering negotiation with different stakeholders to ensure that local needs are considered in forest management. Update, revise and enforce the laws related to forest management. Empower and build the capacity of the forest management administration including the forest guards. Empower and build the capacity of municipalities and local authorities to engage in forest protection and management. Promote and enforce the protection and sustainable management of forests. Promote public awareness. Develop and implement a long-term reforestation plan in order to achieve a 20% forest cover within a period of years. Support pilot projects on forest management. Support forest fire management programs. Forbid and penalize wood cutting except according to previously agreed management plans. Promote the conservation of seeds of local species. Support efforts aimed at collecting information and knowledge gained and synthesizing the national experience on forest management. Prepare management plans for the protected forests. Promote forest research 5

6 Support Non-Wood Forest Products Undertake a forest inventory Prepare a forest map Prepare a National Forest Program Implement a unit in the MOA to be in charge of forest organization and management Adopt and harmonize forest and protected areas related definitions. Afforestation/ Reforestation a. Activities Implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture Despite the very limited budget allocated to the Ministry of Agriculture, the RDNRD is undertaking a series of activities aiming at increasing the forest cover of the country and improving the living conditions of several local communities. As a matter of fact forest seedlings are distributed every year to municipalities, community based organizations, NGOs and particulars. Those seedlings are usually planted along the road sides or on communal plots for reforestation or afforestation. The RDNRD is undertaking the plantation of trees along the road sides in several villages and rural towns and along national roads. This directorate is also developing public gardens in several villages in different parts of the country. In an effort to preserve monumental trees, the RDNRD undertakes the restoration of very old monumental oak trees, usually planted in villages next to churches or mosques. One of the tasks assigned to the Rural Development and Natural Resources Directorate in the MOA is the reforestation and afforestation. During the 1960 s and 1970 s the MOA has undertaken major projects in different parts of the country. During the years of war, several sites were prepared, roads opened and terraces built. However no major reforestation/afforestation activities were carried out, because of lack of budget, personnel and political stability. Plantations undertaken until the beginning of the civil war include mainly indigenous species. The largest plantations are made of Pinus pinea raised for the production of the pine nuts, Pinus brutia, Pinus halepensis, Cedrus libani and Cupressus sempervirens. The main objective of these plantations is the rehabilitation of the vegetation cover. At the end of the war, the MOA s main concern was to restructure itself and build the capacities of the newly recruited guards and engineers. Very little was done in terms of reforestation/afforestation. The MOA has rehabilitated several nurseries and started producing forest seedlings again. One of the most important species of the upper mountains of Lebanon, the Juniperus excelsa was facing a severe problem of degradation, overexploitation and 6

7 lack of natural regeneration. The bird species responsible for its dissemination and for breaking the seed-coat imposed dormancy of the seeds had disappeared. The seeds were not germinating in the nurseries and the species was endangered. The RDNRD team has finally managed to force the seeds to germinate. As a matter of fact two types of dormancy exist in the seeds of the Juniperus excelsa. The embryo dormancy and the seed coat imposed dormancy. Therefore, the seeds were submitted to simultaneous treatments to break both dormancies and were brought to germinate. Several other species native to Lebanon are also produced in the nurseries of the MOA. In 2002, and despite the lack of budget allocated to the RDNRD, a trans-boundary afforestation project is launched between Lebanon and Syria, on the Eastern slopes of the Anti-Lebanon chain. The RDNRD is in charge of the Lebanese part of the project which consists of several hundreds of hectares, in the Anjar region at an altitude ranging between 1,200 and 1,450m. Several indigenous species, native to the area are used. These species are known for their drought tolerance, as the area is submitted to a semi-arid climate, with a strong influence from the Syrian Desert. Lebanese Cedars are used in one plot, in order to test the resistance of this species to such a climatic situation. The species used are: Cedrus libani, Quercus calliprinos, Pistacia palaestina, Pirus syriaca, Amygdalus orientalis and Rhus coriaria. 1,200 dunums were planted in 2002, and 1,400 dunums were planted in A drip irrigation system is installed to provide water during the summer, thus increasing the chances of survival. The field visits have shown a very high survival rate (95% for the Quercus calliprinos), which shows that both the species and the techniques used are adapted to the site. b. The Reforestation/Afforestation Plan of the Ministry of Environment In order to face the challenge of combating desertification by increasing the forest area to 20% of the country s total surface area, the Government of Lebanon has allocated a budget of 5 billion Lebanese Pounds (the equivalent of 3.3 Million USD) to the Ministry of Environment as of the year The same amount is allocated for an initial period of five years. The MOE has prepared a reforestation/afforestation plan for 18,000 hectares of abandoned land. Other plans will be later developed to cover a total area of 200,000 hectares to be planted in years. The works were programmed for a period of five years to cover 18,000ha. The plots would be selected according to the following criteria: 1. abandoned land, not suitable for agriculture and prone to desertification 2. wooded lands with less than 10% crown cover 3. abandoned lands around forests and other wooded lands 4. lands with environmental, touristic or esthetic value 7

8 A long term reforestation/afforestation programme was prepared taking into consideration the environmental and socio-economic aspects. This plan would be revised according to the recommendations of the land-use planning project currently under study. The reforestation/afforestation plan of the MOE stresses on the importance of coordination with all the concerned stakeholders, namely: the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities, the Ministry of Defense (Lebanese Army), the municipalities, the local community groups and NGOs. The plan defines the criteria of seed provenances, seedlings production, site selection, site preparation, forest roads construction, plantation (seeds and seedlings), planted sites protection (from grazing and from forest fires) and maintenance. The plan defines also the institutional and legislative mechanisms required for an efficient execution of the proposed activities. Monitoring Monitoring is not properly organized yet. The FAO project on Forests and Tree Resources Assessment and Evaluation will allow for some monitoring in the sampled plots. This will allow the monitoring of change on the land use practices. Under the NAP to combat desertification, the GTZ is implementing a monitoring system for combating degradation, in collaboration with the different stakeholders involved in the process. On the other hand, forest guards are in charge of monitoring illegal exploitation of the forest resources. Extension activities Forest guards are frequently playing the role of forestry extension, along with the forestry officers of the Ministry of Agriculture. The objective of forestry extension is to increase public awareness of the important multiple roles of forestry, promotes forestry protection and development and advocate the need for the rational use of renewable natural resources. NGOs are also playing an important role in this issue. Activities of Local NGOs Several NGO s are involved at different levels. This involvement falls under the umbrella of reforestation/afforestation, forest protection and combating desertification. Of all the efforts and involved NGOs we cite a few: The Friends of the Cedar of God a local NGO, is working on the protection, management and conservation of the Cedars of God Forest. This NGO has initiated a project called To Each Cedar a Friend aiming at the afforestation of the Mount Mekmel, the mountains surrounding the Cedars of God, in Becharre. It is built on a personal sponsorship of seedlings to be planted. In this way, the project is sustainable, since its functioning budget is ensured through the contributions. 8

9 A similar project is launched in the Chouf area (in the Southern part of the Mount Lebanon), involving NGOs and private sector. The implementation of forest tree nurseries in schools. The NGO who has initiated this project (Green Line) is also working on several other issues, like encouragement of organic farming, extension services, sustainable agricultural practices and the plantation of drought tolerant crops in one of the most affected regions by desertification. Through the Reforestation Programme, AFDC aims at raising awareness among the local community about the importance of conserving natural resources, and contributing to the national efforts in increasing the green cover. o The reforestation activities are implemented in different Lebanese areas in partnership with municipalities, NGOs, schools, youth clubs, volunteers and farmers. o Trees used in reforestation activities are produced locally at AFDC Tree Nursery located in Ramlieh village, Caza of Aley that grows mainly pine, oak, and olive trees. o In addition to the reforestation activities, AFDC organizes and implements yearly different capacity building activities (workshops, seminars, training courses, etc) targeting the local community at large at the Mediterranean Forest Development and Conservation Center of Lebanon (MFDCL) located in Ramlieh, Aley. o The capacity building activities deal with the issues of: Forest fire fighting and prevention; Reforestation techniques; Environmental education tools and techniques; Planning for eco-tourism; Management of natural resources; Sustainable rural development; Project development and implementation. Communication skills and mediation techniques. A Greek NGO (INARE) has initiated a project with local NGOs and a Belgian NGO for the promotion of reforestation, agro-forestry and natural resources management. This project is financed by the Greek Government with an in kind contribution of the local NGOs. Many other NGOs are involved with highly interesting activities in terms of natural resources conservation and reforestation activities. The Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Forest Management Lebanon has adopted the C&I and is currently working on their application. However, this would be a sterile initiative in the absence of a National Forest Programme. As the request for assistance has been submitted, it is expected to start working on the NFP in 9

10 the coming few months. The application of the C&I will be directly integrated in the process of preparation of the NFP. 10