My friend from Sweden was visiting for a few days and because I know how much he enjoys walking in nature, we drove all the way to Akkar, in the North governorate of Lebanon, for a chill and peaceful afternoon. We were both amazed at the Azr Forest in the Fenaidiq area. We only spent a few hours there, walking, climbing, discovering, observing, and taking pictures. The weather was perfect: a crisp 9 degrees Celsius, a clouded sky, and some high fog that cleared by the end of the afternoon when the sunbeam finally pierced through and the temperature rose significantly. At 1450 meters from sea level, we also spotted snow in a corner that probably isn't exposed to direct sunlight for long. A clear pathway is marked so that you can relish the moment, inhale the pure air, and let nature perform its magic and mesmerize you. A very recommended hike, or tour next time you want to spend time outside four walls and take pleasure in listening to the birds chirping in the tree foliage. Even to the untrained eye, older, younger, and dead trees as well as clearings are visible. And this is a sign of a healthy forest. How do we maintain this state of affairs?
Forests are the lungs that clear our air and water. They provide a habitat for so many species and maintaining them healthy is a tool to regulate climate change efficiently and leave Earth in a good condition for the generations to come. This is not attained by planting trees only. Keeping a forest in good health is a continuous effort that needs to focus on the following:
- replacing dead trees and keeping younger and older ones robust
- monitoring trees and soil for any signs of deficiency
- controlling vegetation that might cause issues to the tree's health
- protecting trees from possible frost, fire, animals, and diseases
- implementing and enforcing rules and regulations to avoid littering, poaching, overhunting, and trampling outside the marked routes.
Spending time in green spaces is in itself an awesome activity. We need to reconnect to nature and take a break from our busy life schedules that we spent running around. This will highly impact our health and mental well-being.
Ready to go on your next hike? Check the pictures below. I'm sure they will entice you to pay Al Azr Forest a visit very soon!
Happy exploring 🌲🌱🌲
