First mandate, noteworthy achievements
I had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of Mr. Michel Rahme, Mayor of the Municipality of Ainata Al Arz, while in Baalbeck. I was struck by Rahme’s dynamism and passion for municipal work and his adoration of Ainata Al Arz, a Lebanese village located in Northern Lebanon, between the Bsharre District and the Baalbeck District. Although a newcomer to municipal life, Rahme’s first mandate has already left remarkable achievements that are worthy of being mentioned.
The young, active and on-the-ground mayor has recently signed protocol agreements with two French municipalities, La Réole and Morizes, whereby these municipalities provide guidance and training by lending their expertise and knowledge on specific developmental projects in Ainata Al Arz.
Meeting Rahme intrigued me to become more familiar with the village I had never visited. I researched it, and was blown away by its beautiful nature and landscape. Local agriculture, specifically the growing of apples and cherries is highly abundant, and the marketing of such produce to major grocery stores is in full swing.
For the past few years since presiding over this municipality, Rahme has been joining hands with deputies of Parliament in the surrounding areas to build cooperation and support for various development projects in the village. Participation with neighboring villages to develop the area as a touristic attraction has been a major pillar of their work, whereby just last month, the first hiking trail in Ainata Al Arz was officially inaugurated.
The 7 km trail, named “Darb Al Ain” or “Road to the Spring” is lined with apple trees within its deep forestry, resting benches for hikers, and clear signs to secure safe and timely passages for visitors.
One cannot mention Ainata Al Arz without speaking of its annual Apple Festival. The festival includes an exhibition of various Lebanese products made from apples, by local villagers, such as jam, vinegar and a variety of sweets.
With so much emphasis on agriculture, the municipality is engaging in ongoing work to establish a water irrigation system in the village. A project, presented by the Ministry of Agriculture and funded by the European Union, entails excavation work that began late in the summer to complete a pond in the mountain to store 23,000 cubic meters of winter water for irrigation.
Keep up the good work, Mr. Mayor!