The most important achievement was establishing a fire-watching tower in the middle of the most prone area to wildfires and since then forests were protected and conserved by 90% decline in fires. Hundreds of volunteers take day and night shifts especially during wildfire seasons and manually extinguish it in coordination with Civil Defense Unit. Council was the first to introduce eco-tourism since 1993 and sensitize inhabitants about ecological awareness through it. We have created livelihood opportunities for locals as mountain guides that are trained on different trails and their characteristics. This has helped in spreading environmental awareness, unveiled historical sites in Akkar, generated incomes for locals, and grasped the attention of tourists. As a result, environmental knowledge has increased and lead to reduced violations and deforestations.
We have introduced economy to the environmental sector through initiating accommodation places, restaurants, and introduction to new sports (hiking, skiing, biking, snowshoeing etc.) that are all based inside forests and nature. In addition, Council has been implementing the first of its kind festival in Lebanon and the Arab world since 2018, REEF “Rural Encounters on Environment and Film” focusing on the 2 main sensitive topics to Akkar; Cinema and Environment which helped in changing the image and stereotypes of Akkar. This has highlighted Akkar as an eco-touristic region and attracted many visitors from all over Lebanon and the world (around 150-200 weekly, with an exception during REEF >2,000).
Hence, we have focused on environmental aspects, social aspects and economical aspects combined into one thus the implementation of sustainable development for Akkar.