The coast of Adloun is one of the few remaining sea turtle nesting grounds on the Lebanese coast. It is known for its archaeological (prehistoric caves & Phonetician ruins) and ecological significance and used to be the location of an ancient Phoenician port town. In 2016, planning to build a private port, dubbed as “Nabih Berri Fishermen’s Port” was underway thus threatening this historic Adloun coast with the destruction of its valuable heritage and prevention of public access. The official announcement of the project was set on 14 September 2014 and machines arrived on site on January 15, 2016. The works started without neither informing the locals nor respecting the two official decisions of the highest administrative court, the Lebanese State Council, to stop the construction. These actions prompted several civil society organizations, including NAHNOO, to unite their efforts to advocate against the project with the media largely covering the issue. Going against the legal decisions and the public’s will, the project was nevertheless implemented due to the political power dynamics and influences in Adloun and Lebanon in general.
Campaign Goals
- Raising awareness on the importance of Adloun as one of Lebanon’s historic coastal sites
- Highlighting the negative impact of the construction project (ruining the city’s historic identity)
- Stopping the construction project based on its multiple administrative and legal violations
