MedArtSal promoted sharing expertise between Spanish and Lebanese salinas

image
Article written by Hiba Fawaz, Agriculture Program Manager. Association for the Development of Rural capacities (ADR)

The Lebanese partners of MedArtSal project, Association for the Development of Rural capacities (ADR) and Lebanon Fair trade, received the visit of a delegation of experts from the University of Cadiz (UCA), as part of exchanges activities of the MedArtsal project between 26 and 28 July 2022.

Meeting between Lebanese partners and experts from University of Cadiz at Anfeh salinas. © Gonzalo Muñoz Arroyo

Several meetings with a key stakeholders in Lebanon were organised in order to discuss the main challenges affecting the sustainability of artisanal salinas in this country. The experts could meet the representants from the Municipality of Anfeh who explained how the declaration of the salinas area as “Hima” is a important step in order to conserve this unique area in Lebanon. Hima means “protected area” in Arabic. Hima is a traditional approach for the conservation of natural resources and now it concentrates on empowering local communities, upgrading their livelihood, and promoting sustainable use of natural resources.

Encounter with officers from the Municipality of Anfeh. © ADR

The Head of Ecosystem department at Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Lara Samaha, recieved the MedArtSal delegation. She explained the work of the Ministry in the coastal area near the salinas of Anfeh, and the process to declare the area neighbouring the salina as Marine Protected Area (MPA). She also underscored the potential benefits for the salina’s owner from this declaration especially with regards to developing eco-tourism activities. The experts could also exchange different point of views with a local NGO working in the village on how to support the local salina to address challenges and how they could contribute as member of the MedArtSal Network.

Meeting with the Head of Ecosystem department at Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Lara Samaha. © Gonzalo Muñoz Arroyo

The project team from UCA, ADR and FTL, completed the travel with a field visit to the 5 subgranted salinas by the MedArtsal project in Lebanon: Sleiman Sleiman Salinas, Georges Sleiman Salinas, Blancs Sel Salinas, Malek Salinas and Salacia Salinas. The experts from UCA could learn more details about the achievements done on each salina thanks to the MedArtSal grants and they discussed how to address their challenges and increase environmental and economic sustainability in their businesses.

 

Article written by Hiba Fawaz, Agriculture Program Manager. Association for the Development of Rural capacities (ADR).

Back to project