Istituto Oikos

The Shouf Biosphere Reserve (SBR) is the largest UNESCO-declared protected area in Lebanon and in the whole Middle East Mediterranean, covering 5% (50.000 ha) of the overall area of Lebanon. The SBR is considered a high priority zone in terms of water recharge: its aquifers supply over 200 springs feeding several perennial rivers and its […]

The Shouf Biosphere Reserve (SBR) is the largest UNESCO-declared protected area in Lebanon and in the whole Middle East Mediterranean, covering 5% (50.000 ha) of the overall area of Lebanon. The SBR is considered a high priority zone in terms of water recharge: its aquifers supply over 200 springs feeding several perennial rivers and its mountains divide two hydrogeological basins. The reserve is home to 116.000 inhabitants (including 48,800 Syrian refugees) mostly relying on agriculture for their livelihoods. 33% of the population is food unsecure and 19% has a poorly diversified diet. The rise in unemployment, food and fuel prices recently led to a return to agriculture, thus increasing the pressure on water resources and agriculture production, which are also affected by climate change.

The project aims to increase the environmental and economic resilience of the most vulnerable farmers in the Municipality of Mrusti, located in the development zone of the SBR, while reducing the environmental impact of agriculture.

The project is supported with SEK 2.750.000.