Project for the preparation of a Strategic Action Plan for the ...

SAP-BIO-Lebanon National Report Page 62 of 95
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V. Investment Portfolio
The conservation of biological diversity and natural resources requires investments in staff, in
infrastructure, in research and in education. A consequence of the Lebanese civil war is a slow economy
and an almost bankrupt country that is not being able to address the basic needs of its population.
Therefore, the Government of Lebanon, even though it recognizes the importance of the conservation of
biological diversity, spends mostly on priority issues like revamping the infrastructure of the country in
terms of telecommunications, road networks etc. which leaves very meager financing possibilities for
nature conservation and environmental issues. Notwithstanding, the different protocols/agreements that
Lebanon has signed on the regional and international levels stand witness to the willingness and
commitment of the Lebanese to participate in remedying the negative environmental impacts resulting
from human activities. In addition, given the historical link of the Lebanese society with the
Mediterranean, it is imperative that this great resource with all its biota be understood and preserved as
part of the culture of Lebanon.
Securing funding for the Priority Actions presented in this report will ensure that the Mediterranean is
receiving the attention it so much deserves as well as raising the awareness of the Lebanese population to
the need of conserving our coastal and marine resources.
It is important to note that the following section provides only rough estimates required for the National
Action Plans, as consultants have been contracted to draw elaborate plans, including detailed budgets for
each National Action Plan. These latter plans will be ready for implementation as soon as funding is
allocated. Furthermore, budget estimates in this report are provided as if each Priority Action will be
implemented independently even though some items are common between several plans and require to be
purchased once (i.e. funding to support the generation of GIS maps, research vessel, etc.).
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Prepared By M. Nader & S. Talhouk June, 2002