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Learn about the critical need to protect Cheikh Zennad, a key coastal wetland in Lebanon, and understand the economic and environmental benefits. Explore policy options and valuation tests for conservation.
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SMAP III Final WorkshopMarseillesICZM Policy NoteMaking the Case for Protecting Cheikh Zennad Lebanon June 29, 2009 World Bank/METAP and EC/SMAP III
Background • The Mediterranean coastal fringe is host to a wealth of important wildlife and natural and still pristine areas. e.g., Mediterranean Migrating Birds Flyways 2. European Siberia/Black Sea-Mediterranean population 3. West Siberian/Caspian/ Nile population
Background However, these areas are under increasing pressure from several drivers: population, the economic growth-trade-globalization nexus, urban sprawl, tourism, modal transports, industrial development, etc.
Background Policy makers need to make informed trade-offs between: the tangible benefits associated with economic development and growth economic theory in terms of growth, market prices and income and job creation. the intangible benefits (such as biodiversity and nature protection) that are derived from natural resources especially in pristine areas. economic markets tend to fail
Why Environmental Valuation? Although there is often market failure (and therefore no market price) for natural resources … people derive pleasure or a satisfaction (attaining a utility value in economic terms) from natural resources, e.g. people like to watch wildlife, or benefit from ecosystem services. It is important that we account for these values when we make decisions about natural resources.
Lebanon Coast The coastal zone is under tremendous pressure with a foreseen total artificialization by 2025 if nothing is done to preserve the remaining coastal pristine areas of lebanon especially North of Tripoli in Akkar and South of Tyre. The rate of artificialization is about +2% p.a. (MoE)
Cheikh Zennad as a Protected Area Cheikh Zennad is a coastal salty wetland close to the northern border rich in salt marshes (cultural assets) and mudflats. Since 1998, it became a migratory bird stopover where birds feed, rest, breed, roost and/or nest hence creating a wealth of bird watching opportunities.
Cheikh Zennad as a Protected Area • 170 kind of birds were reported with hundred thousands making a stopover over 2 seasons. However, their number has been dwindling due to illegal hunting and poaching
Conservation vs. Ribbon Development Valuation Test 1 Akkar Coast including Cheikh Zennad Lido di Dante Coast Italy 40 years investment Revealed Preference of >400,000 people living on the northern coast
Revealed Preference to Visit a Protected Area Valuation Test 2 10 years investment Revealed Preference of 5,500 people bird watchers over 2 seasons (spring and autumn) living in Lebanon visiting Cheikh Zennad Even if you combine Test 1 and 2, they are easily defeated!
Policy Option The 2004 Schema Directeur de l’Amenagement du Territoire (Land Use Strategy) was endorsed early 2009. The coast of Akkar is considered as a natural asset to be preserved. However, the Land Use Strategy does not have force of law: it only recommends to preserve this area.
Policy Option • Coastal presrvation valuation are easily defeated by rent seekers (development estate projects along the coast). • If the Government of Lebanon is serious at preserving Cheikh Zennad and other ‘preservable’ areas on the CZ, a number of instrument alternatives is suggested, e.g., - The assertion of a non aedificandi 100-200 meter setback coastal zoning in Akkar as suggested in the draft ICZM law and recommended by the Schema Directeur - The buyback of CZ private property: either by expropriation or by land swap and assess the possibility of setting up a conservatoire du littoral-like entity to preserve and manege the land
Policy Option • The introduction of economic instruments such as: - perequazione urbanistica (a way of compensating non aedificandi areas where construction rights could be sold to developers interested in increasing their coefficient of exploitation in other designated areas. - involving commercial banks in preservation by considering non aedificandi coastal property bought by banks as part of their obligation reserve (The Central Bank should play a key role).
