Project Preview

Barja is a village in the Iklime of Carob, located west of the Shouf in Mount Lebanon, 32km to the south of Beirut and 13 km north of Sidon, rising 173 to 405 meters above sea level. Mild Mediterranean climate in summer and winter, and the rate of temperature is between 13 and 27 degrees Celsius. Its area is 3950 hectares, with 22000 inhabitants. Mostly hills with narrow valleys endings, which are its natural border with the neighboring villages. Springs on its borders erupt in fountains of water flush walls, soil is not fertile, rich in limestone rock layers.

In the beginning the town was a farm where families used to raise livestock, poultry and silkworms, and work the ground. Crops were rainfed, notably berries, olives and carob trees, a little fruit and vegetables.

In the first half of the last century, industrial crops developed, mainly almond and vine and fig. Then the output declined gradually as a result of the needs of population growth and age requirements, which forced farmers and artisanal to face the crisis of rising standard of living after World War II.  This rushed parents to the institutes of science and the fields of employment, in jobs and services and different crafts. Consequently apartment buildings replaced agricultural land, and the town is today is not self-satisfied.

In the second half of the twentieth century, bee-keeping activities were wildly spread, and reached its peak in the last quarter of the century.

A project aims to establish a nursery on an area of 5000 square meters for the production of native local plants (trees, shrubs, herbs) that are subject to extinction in the area of barja

Project Activities:

-       The plant nursery will be established on a private land offered for 3 years to the Barja Tourath association.

-       The land is situated in Barja in the area of Zarout. It is 150 meters above sea level. It is now not suitable for agriculture. It needs rehabilitation. A deputy of the area will provide a contribution. The municipality will build fences and a door around the nursery.

-       The association will establish a committee including farmers, local people, a representative of the environmental committee at the municipality and volunteers.

-       The Project will produce 5000 seedlings of native local plants per year.

-       The trees will be distributed to the population for free or for a minimal fee.

-       An agricultural expert will follow-up on the Project and provide support to the farmers.