In 2017, the municipal council and SPNL declared the Anfeh municipal land and sea as a marine Hima for sustainable use such as ecotourism, responsible hunting, fishing, grazing and taking into consideration other aspects such as decentralization and empowerment of women. Anfeh’s green landscapes of olive, almond, and grape trees give the town a beautiful nature and a rich resource for its people. This site is also important as it is a spot for the migrating sea bird species and the endangered Mediterranean monk seal that lives in the natural caves of Anfeh. In addition to that, the ancient cultural heritage in this amazing coastal town makes this area an important and unique mixture between biodiversity and culture
Anfeh is located on the coast of northern Lebanon and is 15 km south of Tripoli and 71 km north of Beirut. The town is extended to the west by a 400-meter promontory, oriented on an east–west axis. Standing about 14 m above sea level, the site has visible Greco-Roman and medieval remains everywhere. Basins, vaults, presses, tanks and quarry pipes, and the remains of mosaic pavements on top of the promontory. Several other mosaics reported by local residents have been uncovered in various locations underneath the modern town, which extends further south of the promontory.
The municipal council was proactive in declaring the Anfeh municipal land and sea as Hima for sustainable use such as ecotourism, responsible hunting, fishing, and grazing.
Commenting on the establishment of the Hima, Assad Serhal, SPNL Director General said that
the municipal council of Anfeh Hima accord will help SPNL and its partners to increase the awareness of the importance of cultural heritage (on-land and maritime aspects of culture) by promoting the value of Anfeh’s natural environment, safeguarding the authentically unique, traditional and irreplaceable character of Anfeh, building rapport with the local community, creating job opportunities, enhancing and promoting local facilities, fisheries and guest houses, and training local guides to grasp the historical developments of their town.
The ultimate objective of the Hima accord is to advance and implement a sustainable development program for both Anfeh and its local community.
The revival of the Hima system is empowering communities to take responsibility for managing local resources. This approach is being championed by the Society for Protection of Nature in Lebanon (BirdLife in Lebanon) and is helping to build capacity for local economic enterprises, linked to the wildlife and landscape conservation.
Over the last 60 years, the Hima community-based approach to conservation has declined and been replaced by the centralised governmental management of natural resources. The Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) is currently leading the revival of the Hima approach for the conservation of Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in collaboration with elected local authorities.
Since 2004, the SPNL has helped to establish 18 Himas in six Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBBAs) , many of these Himas convey a spiritual and religious significance.
