BEIRUT: The European Union and the Agriculture Ministry Monday announced a 1.959 million euro ($2.6 million) EU grant in support of reforestation efforts in Lebanon, especially in those areas most affected by desertification and deforestation.

“As a direct result of these forestry actions, 1240 dunums … will be planted throughout the country, and will benefit 25,000 households. Most importantly, these actions will set a replicable modus operandi on how to approach forestation and reforestation actions in the different Mouhafazat of Lebanon” said EU Ambassador Angelina Eichhorst, speaking at the ministry.

The grant is a part of the EU-funded Agriculture and Rural Development Programme and falls in line with the goals of the “40 million trees program” supported by the ministry.

According to a statement released after the event, the project will eventually create a framework for attracting external contributions that will facilitate reaching the target of planting 40 million trees covering 7% of the Lebanese territory.

The grant will be distributed to municipalities in northern and southern Lebanon, as well as Mount Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley. University of Balamand, the Lebanese University, and NGO’s concerned with reforestation will also benifit from the grant.

Read more: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2014/Jul-07/262987-eu-grant-seeks-to-save-lebanese-forests.ashx#ixzz37MMT8EaD
(The Daily Star :: Lebanon News :: http://www.dailystar.com.lb)