Jaj Reforestation Project
JAJ village is located 28 km up toward the east of Byblos city. Its cedars are situated on the East side of the village at an altitude ranging from 1,600 to 2,000 meters above sea level.
The 172 old Cedars, rooted in rocky masses, were not protected until recently when the Lebanese parliament issued a new law in April 2014. Its first comity was appointed by the Environment Ministry and held its first meeting on 5/11/2016.
Jouzour Loubnan selected Jaj Cedars Nature Reserve to plant 20.420 Cedrus libani and other species covering 43.7 hectares within the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) project "Smart Adaptation of Forest Landscapes in Mountain Areas (SALMA)," funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, and in partnership with Jouzour Loubnan, Jaj Cedars Forest Natural Reserve and Jaj Municipality.
SALMA's main objective is to enhance the resilience of vulnerable rural communities and their livelihoods in mountain areas.
This plantation site was also chosen to conserve landscapes, plant and animal species, and particularly threatened, rare or unique species, their habitats, biological balances, and ecosystems, as well as biodiversity that faces degradation, pollution, and risk of extinction.
Jouzour Loubnan has already worked in close collaboration with the local authorities and municipalities of the Mount Lebanon region. These initiatives have been a great success, and they have left a positive impression and a deep sense of gratitude from the local community.
