Holcim launched a rehabilitation project in a depleted quarry site of 132,000 m2 located in Chekka. The project aims to improve the site conditions through reducing soil erosion, safeguarding local species and boosting vegetation cover. Holcim has concluded the first phase of rehabilitation, which involves landscape engineering works to prepare the groundwork to support water, plantation, irrigation and benching. For the second phase, the plantation will focus on locally available species that are adapted to the natural landscape such as olive, carob and other native plants.
“We have a responsibility to restore the quarries we operate. Our commitment is key to our responsibility towards the neighborhood and is translated into projects that reintegrate the exhausted parts of our quarries into the natural surroundings.” stated Jamil Bouharoun, CEO of Holcim Lebanon.
Under the guidance of renowned experts in the field of quarry rehabilitation, the project is designed in consultation with local stakeholders and authorities. “We support Holcim’s initiative for its positive contribution to the environment and to our people in Chekka, and we hope more areas would be included in the future.” adds Farjallah Kfoury, the mayor of Chekka.
“The project follows a combination of an ecological restoration approach aiming to accelerate natural regeneration of the ecosystem and a reconstitution of areas to increase the vegetation cover and limit soil erosion, hence increasing chances of project success.”, stated Dr. Carla Khater, Research Director, CNRS – Lebanon.
Dr. Johnny Fenianos, Director of ASE and one of the experts in the project, adds “We trust that this project will provide a model for other rehabilitation projects to be replicated in Lebanon and the Middle East.”