The Middle East Center for Sustainable Harvest and Anti-Poaching (MECSHAP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and IndyACT, aimed at launching an integrated strategy to protect Lebanon’s natural resources from terrestrial and marine poaching, combat the illegal trade in wildlife, strengthen the enforcement of environmental laws and regulations, and promote sustainable and responsible hunting practices.
The Memorandum establishes a framework for cooperation and coordination among the three parties in the areas of monitoring, documentation, follow-up, awareness, and the exchange of expertise and information, contributing to the protection of biodiversity and natural resources and supporting efforts to curb violations and illegal activities affecting terrestrial and marine wildlife.
The Memorandum also lays the foundation for stronger cooperation between government authorities, civil society, and specialized field teams, supporting the effective implementation of environmental legislation and translating the principles of conservation and sustainable hunting into practical action on the ground.
The signing took place in the presence of Minister of Agriculture Dr. Nizar Hani, MECSHAP President Adonis El-Khatib, IndyACT representative Dr. Georges Youssef, and Shireen Bou Rafoul, Security Affairs Coordinator of MECSHAP’s Anti-Poaching Unit and CABS Representative in Lebanon, along with officials from the terrestrial and marine operations divisions of MECSHAP and IndyACT.
The Memorandum marks the beginning of a new phase of coordinated and structured action to combat poaching and protect Lebanon’s terrestrial and marine wildlife, based on the principle that safeguarding natural resources requires an integrated approach combining law enforcement, field action, scientific expertise, public awareness, and cooperation between government institutions and specialized organizations.
