Environment Minister visits Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve
Environment Minister Dr. Tamara El Zein visited the Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve, taking part in a packed tour featuring several stops within just a few hours.
The visit began in the Ain El Bayda forest, where El Zein was welcomed by Zgharta-Ehden Municipality President and Reserve Committee Chairman Eng. Pierre Zakhia Douaihy, alongside Reserve Director Sandra Kossa Saba.
The gathering was attended by MP Tony Frangieh, represented by lawyer Boutros Frangieh, former Minister Ziad Makary, Acting North Governor and Zgharta District Commissioner Iman Al-Rafei, President of the Zgharta District Municipalities Union Eng. Bassam Haikal, North Engineers Syndicate President Shawki Feft, Tripoli and North Doctors Syndicate President Dr. Ibrahim Al-Maqdisi, as well as a large number of diplomats and representatives of nature reserves, environmental organizations and civil society groups.
The program began with breakfast, followed by speeches from the reserve committee chairman, the reserve director and the Environment Minister, all highlighting Horsh Ehden’s unique character, rich biodiversity and ecological importance.
The minister then took part in the release of a bird into the reserve’s skies alongside bird expert Michel Sawwan. She and the visiting delegation, accompanied by her team, continued their tour from Ain El Bayda to Ain El Naasa forest, where they sampled water from the spring and learned about its management plan.
After a short break and a photo session beneath the reserve’s only plane tree, the group continued their hike toward Jouaiyet Spring. There, El Zein visited the reserve’s nursery, planted a cedar sapling in her name and toured the nursery’s facilities and seedlings.
The visit also included a stop at a scientific insect exhibition presented by Dr. Nabil Nemer, before concluding with a luncheon held in honor of the minister and guests, followed by the presentation of commemorative gifts.
