In Lebanon: A Comprehensive Practical Framework for Forest Fire Prevention

Minister of Agriculture Nizar Hanani issued a circular establishing a comprehensive practical framework for maintenance, cleaning, and reducing flammable vegetation, alongside regulated preventive grazing, to preserve trees and natural regeneration while limiting fire spread, as part of strengthening fire prevention and preparedness measures and advancing sustainable forest resource management.

The circular is part of the Ministry of Agriculture’s approach based on prevention before fires occur, through proactive management of vegetation and flammable materials, and enhancing partnerships with municipalities, local authorities, and environmental associations, rather than relying solely on responding after fires break out.

Proactive Maintenance of Forests and Woodlands

The circular mandates the Ministry of Agriculture, in cooperation with municipalities and environmental associations, to carry out clearing, cleaning, thinning, and removal of flammable vegetation in state-owned forests and woodlands, particularly pine forests, based on technical assessments identifying priorities and needs for each site.

Regional offices within the ministry will also compile lists of forests and woodlands owned by the Lebanese Republic requiring maintenance and protection, enabling targeted efforts toward areas most vulnerable to fire risk.

Proceeds from maintenance activities will be managed and sold according to legal procedures, preventing unregulated forestry exploitation or unauthorized cutting.

Central Role of Municipalities in Protecting Forests and Common Lands

The circular grants municipalities a central role in the prevention system by preparing lists of forests and woodlands under their jurisdiction or located within their common lands, and submitting them to regional offices at the Ministry of Agriculture for technical assessments and determination of required actions.

Municipalities will also carry out maintenance work on their properties and common lands directly or through contracting, in coordination with the ministry and in accordance with legal standards.

Measures also include periodic cleaning of road edges from dry grass, waste, and other flammable materials to reduce the risk of fire spreading between inhabited areas and roads to forests and woodlands, or vice versa.

Controlled Grazing as a Fire Prevention Tool

Notably, the circular designates controlled grazing as one of the tools for preventive vegetation management, allowing it in non-burned sites legally permitted for grazing, to reduce grasses and flammable vegetation.

Grazing is subject to permits issued by the Forestry and Natural Resources Directorate, specifying location, time period, number and type of livestock, ensuring tree and natural regeneration protection and preventing overgrazing.

Legal contracting for grazing will also be applied in state and municipal forests and woodlands.

Conversely, grazing is prohibited in forests and sites affected by fires or illegal logging for the legally mandated duration, as well as in all areas where grazing is banned under applicable laws and regulations, to protect natural regeneration and prevent soil and vegetation degradation.

Strengthened Oversight of Violations

Minister Hanani emphasized the need to halt any cutting, clearing, thinning, or grazing activities conducted in violation of permit conditions, and to issue official violation reports against offenders, forwarding them to competent authorities in accordance with legal procedures.

The circular reaffirmed that implementing these measures requires continuous on-the-ground coordination between the Ministry of Agriculture, municipalities, municipal unions, environmental associations, and relevant entities, enhancing Lebanon’s capacity to proactively manage fire risks.

Hanani: Prevention Begins with Forest Management Before Fires Start

Minister of Agriculture Dr. Nizar Hanani affirmed that protecting Lebanon’s forests cannot rely solely on fighting fires after they occur, but must begin with preventive and proactive forest management.

He stated: "A forest is not just trees; it is an integrated ecosystem, and its protection requires scientific management of vegetation, regular maintenance, organized cleaning, regulated grazing, and strengthened land monitoring. Our goal is to shift from firefighting to fire prevention and reducing the likelihood of fire spread."

He added: "We are building real partnerships with municipalities, local communities, and environmental associations because forest protection is a shared national responsibility, and prevention begins with responsible land management before fire reaches it."

Hanani stressed that the ministry will continue strengthening preventive, advisory, and field-based measures to safeguard forest resources, emphasizing that sustainable forestry, biodiversity protection, and natural regeneration are essential components of the ministry’s policy on managing natural resources and addressing climate change risks and increasing fire threats.

The circular takes effect immediately upon issuance, with specialized units within the Ministry of Agriculture tasked with monitoring its implementation on the ground and coordinating with relevant local entities, thereby reinforcing a national integrated system for forest and woodland fire prevention and the protection of Lebanon’s forest wealth.