In a stark warning over Lebanon’s environmental crisis, Kataeb Party leader Samy Gemayel raised the alarm about widespread drying in the country’s forests, threatening what remains of its green cover.

In a post on X on Sunday , Gemayel described unprecedented desiccation unfolding in multiple forests, with no clear explanation, whether due to water shortages, tree diseases, or other causes. He called for urgent clarification and direct intervention by the Ministry of Agriculture before Lebanon loses its remaining green canopy.

Agriculture Minister Nizar Hani responded promptly, thanking Gemayel for drawing attention to the phenomenon. He explained that prolonged drought and low rainfall were the primary factors behind the decline in vegetation. 

Beyond Water Shortages

Environmental experts say the crisis goes deeper than a lack of water. According to a Kataeb.org source, the drying results from a combination of climatic, environmental, and human factors:

• A 50% drop in annual rainfall in some regions, causing severe soil dryness.

• Repeated spikes in spring and summer temperatures, increasing evaporation and stressing trees.

• The spread of fungal pests and diseases, previously limited to milder climates, now proliferating due to changing conditions.

• Frequent forest fires and illegal logging, disrupting natural regeneration.

• Weak environmental management and absence of national strategies for water management, reforestation, and monitoring.

What is required now?

Experts say the solution requires a comprehensive national plan built on four pillars:

1. Smart water management, including rainwater collection, improved irrigation, and use of treated water for forests.

2. Enhancing biodiversity through drought- and disease-resistant species and creating mixed forests to maintain ecological balance.

3. Strengthening monitoring of fires and illegal logging, with community-based environmental oversight.

4. Implementing a climate adaptation strategy involving municipalities, civil society, and academic institutions.

Fadi Asmar, a Mediterranean forestry and ecosystem management expert, said the main cause is prolonged drought, not pests or disease, and that trees should naturally regenerate with spring rainfall. He also noted that many forests are neglected and understaffed, and that proper thinning is necessary to reduce excess biomass and limit pest outbreaks. He, therefore, urged the Ministry of Agriculture to implement targeted thinning measures under controlled conditions to protect the green cover and mitigate the problem.

Finally, Gemayel’s warning is not merely a partisan message but a national alert that should resonate across all relevant ministries and institutions. While the ministry’s response references accurate climatic facts, it remains insufficient without immediate practical measures. The issue is not just a lack of water; it reflects a fragile ecological structure under unprecedented climatic and human pressures.