Hima, or protected area in Arabic is a community-based approach whose main aim is the conservation of sites, species, habitats and people in order to achieve sustainable utilization of natural resources.
The Ras EL Maten Hima area consists of more than 7 million square meters which are filled with virgin forests where wide views exist reaching to Beirut and a diverse range of species of plants and animals.
Location: Ras ElMatn-Mount Lebanon District
Distance from Beirut: 25 km
Elevation from sea level: 700 to 1000 m
Population: 1,200
Surrounding villages: Al Kanayseh, Qartada, Deir EL Harf and Hammana
Water sources: Qaysamani Dam and Maryam waterwell
Declared as Hima: 2018
The Higher Maten region constitutes the upper boundary of the Beirut River Valley Key Bird Area (KBA) and is the most important bottleneck for migratory soaring birds during the autumn migration.
Ecologically, the 20km Beirut River valley is an important location for bird migration in Lebanon, where nearly 40 species of birds make the yearly migration between Africa and Europe.
With green landscapes cover almost 80% of its area, Hima Ras Elmatn is an i (Important Bird area/ Key Bird Area (IBA/KBA) rich in biodiversity and natural assets.
The umbrella pines that surround Ras el Metn are a valuable source of pine nuts, with production accounting for two thirds of the output in the Maten region and one-third of Lebanon’s entire production.
The area is known for the production of honey, as well as for the cultivation of olives, grapes, figs, apricots and other fruits on its terraced slopes. For these reasons the village of Ras el Maten and its surrounding forest has been declared a Hima in September 2018.
Minimal conservation efforts have been made in the whole IBA/KBA of “Beirut River Valley” up till now. SPNL, Ras el Maten Municipality, Al Maten Organization for Environment & Sustainable Development - MESD and Ras el Maten Youth Organization work as a team to conserve this highly important IBA/KBA bottleneck, the habitat and species that migratory soaring birds depend on.
Pine: Pine production in Ras el Maten is a key factor in the economic cycle. 70% of the production in Mount Lebanon is from Ras el Maten and 1/3 of its GDP output. The production process has evolved from traditional to automated product extraction.
The harvesting of pine cones begins in the autumn and is kept until May, where they are placed outdoors to dry before extraction of black seeds first. Automation is used to crack open the shells, extract and sort the white pine kernel. Pine cones are used for heating in cold winter days.
Honey: The highest area of the Maten and Ras el Maten are characterized by their varied flora, which includes aromatic and medicinal plants and many forest trees. Therefore, the residents of the region have the opportunity to develop and invest an important sector to maintain bioderversity and that is beekeeping.
“The Higher Maten Beekeeping Cooperation” has the role of disseminating knowledge, especially to the youth to improve employment levels and the development of this sector, in addition to the revitalization of tourism and honey production of high quality natural honey. The diversity of flora has reflected positively not only on the production of honey but also on raising awareness and boosting eco-tourism.