Description
This article is from the Lebanon FAQ,
by Alaa Dakroub dakroub@leb.net with numerous contributions by
others.
13. Cedars Of Lebanon: A. General
Cedrus Libani is a native of Lebanon, hence the name. It also
occurs in Cyprus and Certain areas of Asia Minor. It is a tall
evergreen tree having short dark needle-like leaves and highly prized
fragrant hard wood.
Cedrus Libani has been known to survive for over 3000 years
and some of the existing Cedars of Lebanon are over 2000 years old.
However, the great demand for its famous wood since ancient times has
largely denuded most of the natural Cedar forests in Lebanon and the
surrounding area.
King Solomon is said to have imported the fabled cedarwood
from Lebanon in biblical times to be used in the building of the
temple in Jerusalem. So have the Egyptians and Phoenicians before
him, as well as the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Crusaders and Ottomans
in more recent times.
During the first world war, the Turks decimated Lebanese
forests, including a good part of the remaining cedars, to provide
fuel for their railways in the area. Further damage took place during
the chaos of the civil strife in Lebanon between 1975 and 1991.
However, the present peace in Lebanon may cause an even
greater danger than the war to the remaining cedars of lebanon. These
dangers come from the following sources:
a- Atmospheric pollution caused by the coastal cement
plants in Chekka (which have been expanding their
production to help the reconstruction efforts after
the war), as well as other industrial air pollution.
Although the Chekka cement plants have now been
required to install anti-pollution equipment, more
stringent regulations against air pollution should be
enforced.
b- An insect pest that has hit many of the cedars during
the last few years, specially the Bsharri cedars.
This requires further study and control.
c- Lack of proper protection and the consequent trampling
and abuse caused by goats and visitors to cedar
forests. The present peace has greatly increased the
number of tourists, both local and foreign to the
cedars, who are now able to venture to areas that were
not secure during the war. This endangers the
ecological balance in areas where cedars occur.
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