Biodiversity and Forests

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exceeding 100,000. While this has not been
achieved yet, CDR (lead planning and donor
coordination agency) has at least invested $350
million in the wastewater treatment sector
during the period 1992-2008.
5.4.5 Protection and Conservation of
Freshwater Resources
There is no national initiative that aims to
establish a water quality control system
specifically targeting biodiversity conservation.
On the other hand, there are strict regulations
related to well drilling. Poor law enforcement
however has led to a proliferation of private
artesian wells with no consideration for aquifer
capacity. Moreover, Environment Law 444/2002
embraces the polluter-pays-principle, as well
Environmental Impact Assessment and Strategic
the Environmental Assessment process, to help
curb pollution including freshwater pollution.
Inland, Lebanon’s proposed wastewater
treatment plants offer interesting opportunities
for water reuse. Relevant ministries have yet
to establish formal water reuse standards. In
theory therefore, treated wastewater produced
by any of the recently completed wastewater
treatments plants in the Bekaa Valley (Baalbeck,
Aitanit and Ferzol) cannot be reused by farmers
directly. In practice however, it is widely reported
that many farmers mix raw sewage with
irrigation water in times of drought or simply
to improve soil fertility. On the solid waste
front, MOE has prepared two decisions in 2004
on 1) the use and disposal of sewage sludge,
and 2) the utilization of compost in agriculture,
horticulture and landscaping. Those ordinances
have not been formally approved.
5.4.6 Protection and Conservation of Flora
and Fauna
Lebanon signed the Convention on Biological
Diversity (CBD) in 1992, ratified it in 1994 (Law
No. 360/94) and has taken noteworthy steps to
promote flora and fauna conservation. MOE
developed in 1998 in partnership with GEF/
UNDP a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action
Plan (NBSAP), and prepared a draft addendum
to the strategy and action plan in 2005. MOA
has issued a number of decisions/circulars
prohibiting or restricting wild harvests (Decision
125/1 of 1999 regulating fishing of Wales, Monk
seals, and their derivatives) and the commercial
trading of a selection of plant species: cedars
(Decision 108/1, dated 12/9/1995 regulating
the introduction of cedar seeds and seedlings),
and aromatic and medicinal plants (Decision
340/1 of 1996, regulating export of oregano and
State and Trends of the Lebanese Environment | 2010
salvia), etc. Although Lebanon has yet to ratify
the CITES Convention, MOA is already requiring
CITES permit for the import and export of species
that are included in Appendix 1 and Appendix 2
of the Convention.
Hunting
The Government imposed (but did not enforce)
a total ban on hunting since 1995. Not only was
enforcement ludicrous, but the government
did very little to limit or restrict the import,
production and sale of hunting gear and
ammunition, as well as game calls and other
forms of luring devices. Hunting in Lebanon is
widespread and often indiscriminate. There are
reportedly more than 300,000 hunters in the
country and an even greater number of shooters
(hunters without license).
Lebanon’s first hunting law dates back to 1952.
In 2004, Parliament ratified a new hunting law
(Law 580 dated 25/4/2004) which resembles
the law of 1952 but recognizes the heritage
value of wild fauna and advocates measures to
ensure sustainability, partly to comply with the
EU “Birds Directive.” For example, the new law
prohibits hunting and trapping of internationally
threatened bird species and all species during
spring migration and nesting seasons. The
law also prohibits the hunting of all resident
and migratory birds and terrestrial mammals,
except species designated as game. It prohibits
the collection of eggs and nestlings from nests.
Most importantly, Law 580/2004 established the
Higher Council for Hunting (see Box 5.3) and
outlined the conditions necessary for obtaining
a hunting permit (mandatory insurance, hunting
exam, etc.).
Although the current hunting law offers new
opportunities to protect fauna and wildlife, it
also presents some deficiencies. In particular,
Articles 6 and 20 contradict Decree 137/1959
related to firearms and ammunition. The hunting
law stipulates that firearms from Category 4 and
5 of Decree 137/1959 can be used for hunting.
According to Decree 137/1959, only Category 5
weapons are classified for hunting (Category 4
weapons, while non-military, are not).