• This picture taken on January 11, 2023 shows a view of juniper trees in a forested mountainous area near the village of Barqa in Lebanon's eastern Baalbeck district. - Braving the bitter cold, Lebanese villagers have been patrolling a mountainside in the country's north, trying to protect trees from loggers who roll in under the cover of darkness. (Photo by Ibrahim AMRO / AFP)
    This picture taken on January 11, 2023 shows a view of juniper trees in a forested mountainous area near the village of Barqa in Lebanon's eastern Baalbeck district. - Braving the bitter cold, Lebanese villagers have been patrolling a mountainside in the country's north, trying to protect trees from loggers who roll in under the cover of darkness. (Photo by Ibrahim AMRO / AFP)
  • An economic meltdown in late 2019 has left many people without incomes or winter heating. Forest rangers are severely underfunded.
    An economic meltdown in late 2019 has left many people without incomes or winter heating. Forest rangers are severely underfunded.
  • A knock-on effect of the crisis has been a rise in illegal logging for firewood and a lack of funding to those who can prevent it
    A knock-on effect of the crisis has been a rise in illegal logging for firewood and a lack of funding to those who can prevent it
  • Municipal police officer, Ghandi Rahme, along with some villagers patrol on a volunteer basis to protect trees
    Municipal police officer, Ghandi Rahme, along with some villagers patrol on a volunteer basis to protect trees
  • Nearly 150 centuries-old oak trees have been felled in the past year, said the officer who patrols the area around village Ainata
    Nearly 150 centuries-old oak trees have been felled in the past year, said the officer who patrols the area around village Ainata
  • Volunteers say they do have some financial support, but mainly from worried expatriate villagers who send money from abroad
    Volunteers say they do have some financial support, but mainly from worried expatriate villagers who send money from abroad
  • Samir, a volunteer, said the patrols were effective. 'We haven't seen a single case of illegal felling since we began patrolling', he said
    Samir, a volunteer, said the patrols were effective. 'We haven't seen a single case of illegal felling since we began patrolling', he said
  • In nearby Barqa, Mayor Ghassan Geagea expressed doubt that the patrolling would be able to prevent felling in his district's harder-to-reach areas
    In nearby Barqa, Mayor Ghassan Geagea expressed doubt that the patrolling would be able to prevent felling in his district's harder-to-reach areas
  • Junipers play an important role in replenishing groundwater reserves, said Abi Rached, head of an activist group called Terre Liban.
    Junipers play an important role in replenishing groundwater reserves, said Abi Rached, head of an activist group called Terre Liban.
  • 'If we don't stop juniper felling, we will be headed for water shortages and drought,' Mr Rached warned
    'If we don't stop juniper felling, we will be headed for water shortages and drought,' Mr Rached warned
  • An activist Dany Geagea has taken matters into his own hands by helping set up a juniper reserve. About 30,000 trees have been planted here in the past two decades
    An activist Dany Geagea has taken matters into his own hands by helping set up a juniper reserve. About 30,000 trees have been planted here in the past two decades
  • Loggers are rarely arrested and 'quickly released, without being investigated', he lamented
    Loggers are rarely arrested and 'quickly released, without being investigated', he lamented

MENA

Lebanese villagers try to stem illegal logging scourge — in pictures

Residents in the country's north have been patrolling a mountainside, trying to protect trees from timber poachers

The National

February 02, 2023

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Updated: February 02, 2023, 11:18 AM
Lebanon