Protection of the Natural Resources in Marginal Areas and Sustainable Rural Development in Northern Lebanon

The mountain area of Akkar is the richest region of the country in natural resources, yet it is the least developed rural area in Lebanon. Degradation of these resources arises from 1) deforestation through charcoal production, 2) goat grazing of the native vegetation and 3) degradation of the cultivated soil resulting from the abandonment of the terraced land. The paper investigates the reasons behind resource problems in the marginal area of Akkar and examines the socio-economic impacts of the Cedar reserve that exists in a different northern area. It focuses on a benefit-cost analysis concerning the use of Akkar’s natural resources. Data was collected from 75 farming families distributed in 15 villages in Akkar’s mountain area. Another survey covered 96 tourist samples selected randomly in the Cedar reserve. The benefits from deforestation and grazing activities were calculated and compared with the benefits that could be obtained by a potential alternative. It was found that the protection of Akkar’s natural resources from unsustainable uses through creation of reserves would contribute to the welfare of the local communities and would lead to sustainable rural development