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"Lebanon is not a dustbin '
Who would have thought that a short visit to Lebanon by a Lebanese who spent most of his life in Africa would be transformed into a passionate fight to protect a unique ecological heritage in the Middle East?
Yet the story of Ali Ibrahim El . This man went to Lebanon for the first time five years ago. There, he discovered a land rich in biodiversity but mistreated and sometimes disfigured. The first stage of his fight has been the foundation of an NGO, "Khair Mawassem " or "Harvest of charity" that was assigned primary responsibility the protection of Lebanese forests. The last action of NGOs took place in the forest of Bkassine. AlBalad had the opportunity to meet with Ibrahim Ali El to take stock of activities Mawassem Khair.
By Chantal Bou Akl Al Balad newspaper
• What is your journey from Africa to Lebanon?
I am president of an NGO called "Mawassem Khair" ("Harvest of Kindness") whose mission is to discover and preserve the rich natural heritage of Lebanon, its unique biodiversity in the Middle East.
Member of the Lebanese community in Senegal, I started my actions in Africa prior to dedicate myself exclusively to the Middle East. Senegal, next to my brother Haidar El Ali, I am committed, as part of the association Océanium in defense of dolphins and protected species, then in the reforestation effort. In Lebanon
then, when I first went five years ago, to accompany my father on the death of my mother. There, I could discover with amazement a "Holy Land" real capital of the biodiversity of the Near East and the blow of heart led me to get involved in protecting its rich ecological heritage. My NGO, Mawassem Khair, "Harvests of Beneficence," in cooperation with UNIFIL, has participated in over 4000 defusing bombs in southern Lebanon, reforestation of the region and the fight against fires. It has mainly focused its efforts on raising awareness and educating the public about environmental problems because it is a condition for him to learn behaviors to address the issues of sustainable development.
My big project now is initiatives to strengthen my reforestation of Lebanon, to assist municipalities in waste treatment and waste water, creating a news agency dedicated to sustainable development and eco-health issues in Lebanon.
What is the idea behind Mawassem Khair and his agenda?
The fact that Lebanon, a formidable reservoir of biodiversity and water tower in the Middle East, has all the ingredients to become a country with a high carbon footprint. Our forests contain a rich biodiversity, especially in terms of wildlife. It is not uncommon to come across a hyena or a lynx, endangered species. My ambition is to participate in this project that all nature lovers and Lebanon want to see happen, mobilize all organizations engaged in this struggle and civil society to make a kind of Grenelle, and suggest future government Bills to preserve this resource, lung of the domestic economy.
In our continued operation "Lebanon is not a dustbin," we are planning to completely clean our forests, and create a kind of environmental policy, who would exercise control of holidaymakers and their vehicles to check that at the time of departure, the guests do not throw their garbage in the forest.
I propose the idea that every polluter is punishable by a fine that is paid when the owner submits to the control of his car mechanics. Agents of civil defense may well play this role or rangers, or even a municipal police. This means thinking about deterrence and punishment, because this kind of enforcement action is able to push polluters to a radical change behavior.
This will probably long but not impossible. Who would have thought it just three years ago that the Lebanese would accept one day to fasten their seat belts while driving?
Our agenda is provided, but alas, like all Lebanese NGOs we know the problem of financing.
What are the achievements of the NGO and its objectives
"Mawassem Khair" was marked by active participation in demining operations in southern Lebanon after the 2006 war, then by actions support to people with access to potable water and electricity etc., always in close cooperation with UNIFIL.
"Mawassem Khair, was then mobilized to plant trees and fight against forest fires, mobilize international opinion through lectures at UNESCO in the framework of the Paris forum to protect this wealth of biodiversity that we Lebanon offers naturally.
Its objectives are: to continue to clean the pine forest Bkassine, initiate a project of sewage wastewater in the region, mobilizing all stakeholders to integrate such forest in the national parks program to protect and then create an agency in Lebanon which would be the link between public authorities, municipalities and the different actors of civil society (NGOs, schools, etc..) so that they have all the information to assist communities and find practical solutions to waste management physical, wastewater and any form of pollution, and finally to educate the public effectively and sustainably so that it does not repeat the same patterns and harmful encounters the same problems in the future. Three lines of action will be jointly carried out: cleaning operations on the ground, awareness / prevention, and punishment / enforcement in case of recurrence.
Our goal is to make Lebanon a reference and a pioneer in the field of ecology. This may seem completely unrealistic or excessive, but the continuing crisis and disorganized structure of the state in time of war pushed the Lebanese to show the full extent of their legendary resourcefulness, and to find solutions that marry the course ' ecology. A few examples will suffice: in Lebanon we use energy saving lamps while Europe plans to make it mandatory in 4 years Homes recover rainwater, solar water heaters are very common in Lebanon, and the recovery of energy through batteries and UPS batteries can provide electricity to homes for a power outage. The road is still long, and it grieves still see both as wealth and so much mess. ...
• Regarding the collection of garbage in Jezzine: What is the idea behind this project? Tell us about the progress and preparations for the participation of the inhabitants.
This project started a year ago, after a visit to the region with the aim of promoting forest Bkassine - the largest pine forest in the Middle East with over 220 hectares of pine - and integrate it into a comprehensive program to protect natural forests of Lebanon. For Bkassine Our Ong hopes to get her classification as a protected natural park. Zeina
MAAZ (daughter of Vice President Mawassem Khair) from the village of Sabah, bordering Bkassine, Sbeih and Sarah (his cousin) were shocked to see so much garbage piled up in all sorts of a beautiful forest and we experienced a feeling of revolt legitimate to this environmental disaster rampant. Then they contacted Mawassem Khair and we decided to launch a cleanup and outreach involving large-scale area youth.
When French television has contacted us to do a story of tourism in the region, we have stressed their need to speak also of the urgent measures needed to protect Lebanon's forests. Thus, two birds with one stone, we cleaned the forest, albeit partially, we know this fact and reforested beautiful region with many French viewers.
This is just a start, we continue to mobilize ourselves to continue our actions.
• What were the difficulties and facilitations obtained?
We were welcomed by the municipal government of Sabah and Bkassine, but our greatest reward was to see how enthusiastic children who wanted to do more. As the French TV channel France 3 had a story on activities Mawassem Khair, we had scheduling requirements for turning, but the joy of children in cleaning and in reforestation, and see that it is possible to preserve the forest with local initiatives is our greatest reward .
Challenges remain, but also regret to see that the picnickers are still smoking the hookah and the furnaces continue to be a real threat to this forest of pines that ignites very quickly.
The sight of these dumps affects us profoundly, we are environmentalists, but also realize that all children thoroughly by cleaning the forest, the beauty of this site should be protected.
• Tell us about the long-term importance of educating families, including children
.
A child who picked up trash and has planted trees usually speaks enthusiastically to his family and all his classmates. It takes an intense pride to see his work recognized and picture posted in the local press or on the web. This permanently removes the personal satisfaction of disrespectful behavior the environment. These same children endorse a watchdog, they become the guardians of their forest and inform those around them. The aim is to preserve this enthusiasm, make him a source of learning first order from the moment her little hands meet the ground to plant a tree. Each child who participates in our actions becomes a vehicle for spreading our message of awareness: "Lebanon is not a dustbin."
The role of local authorities in preserving the environment, especially in Jezzine: gaps and solutions.
Local authorities have a very large role to play in preserving the environment, this is true for Lebanon, but for most developed countries of the world, including France, these are only local who perform these tasks.
What is particularly interesting in the case of Jezinne Area, is that the Forest of Pines Bkassine has captured all the surrounding municipalities around the need to protect this heritage, creating a dynamic collectivism, which is It must be said, quite rare in Lebanon because of political differences or clans. Here, the forest can get everyone to agree, and that is, the mobilizing power of the environment. A bird will never arise the question whether such a tree is a Muslim or Christian, of any political party, before landing. One quickly understands the important role of NGOs that serve as catalysts for ideas and projects, to effectively assist municipalities. By mobilizing all energies bright, our needs and aspirations in common, we can help change attitudes and behavior in Lebanon.
Residents will be ready to undertake such initiatives even in the absence of the NGO?
The first instinct of people is often discard and to endorse the state and municipalities the responsibility for all their woes.
But it is clear that the Lebanese lambda does not care much for the public space and has recurring problems of waste in all municipalities are proof. Yet it has the power (and duty) to his level, to contribute to the well-being.
The Lebanese will have a picnic, for example, are aware that it is their duty as citizens to bring all their garbage with them and put them in trash bags in their cars, but for convenience and neglect, they prefer to throw them in the middle of the pine forest without thinking of the disastrous consequences of all these non-biodegradable waste on the environment which is precisely Lebanon a popular tourist destination.
People do not seem ready yet to take such initiatives themselves. NGOs then rely on public awareness and mobilizing people, especially youth, to awaken consciences and push them toward healthy behaviors civil and respectful of the common good that is the ecosystem of Lebanon.
Our goal is to continue our advocacy to children, schools, boy scouts, families, through the implementation of information campaigns and awareness of the type "Lebanon is not a trash can" then take action larger using the example of the complete cleaning of the forest Bkassine, before playing our full role as a catalyst for ideas, and being force proposal with the Department of the Interior to consider all the company shares, including possible sanctions against those previously mentioned that pollute our environment. It
is important to support our cleanup actions and ensure they were not in vain, to provide exemplary sanctions against people who persist in polluting. Otherwise, even with the best intentions, our actions would not help.
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