Al Shouf Cedar Society

Government legislation, Law No. 532 of 24 July 1996 declared “The communal lands of Niha, Jebaa, Mrusti, Khreibeh, Maasser, Barouk, Bmohreh, Ain Dara, Ain Zhalta villages, in addition to the Government owned lands on the eastern side of Barouk Mountain” a Nature Reserve.The Al-Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve is under the authority of the Lebanese Ministry of Environment (MOE), which manages it through the Appointed Protected Area Committee (APAC) that includes among its members the Al-Shouf Cedar Society (ACS), the Mayors of the larger villages, and independent environment experts. APAC liaises with the reserve's Management Team, which deals with the Reserve's day-to-day management and planning.