JOUNIEH, Lebnaon: Just 50 kilometers northeast of the Lebanese capital lies some of the country’s most diverse natural heritage. Today, some dedicated conservationists are working to keep it that way through sustainable eco-tourism and local development projects.“You cannot conserve a place unless you showcase it,” says Pierre Doumet, president and founder of the Association for the Protection of Jabal Moussa, established in 2007 to protect the area and establish a program of sustainable development, involving the expertise of local residents, the financial help of institutions and private donors.

He adds: “We want eco-tourism to be responsible, and we want people to keep the area beautiful, bring jobs to the area and help local development.”