Community for the Salvation of the Qadisha. Valley (COSAQ).
COSAQ Has taken the responsibility of protecting the history and the national heritage of the Qadisha. Valley from the dangers of disfiguration and environmental pollution.
COSAQ members believe in the values that the Qadisha. Valley (Qannoubine and Qozhaya) represents in historical wealth, esthetically, naturally, geographically and spiritually. These values made the cave recognized nationally and internationally by the following decisions:
- Decree no 151/97 from the Ministry of Environment which lists the valley in the list of natural sites benefiting from the protection of the aforementioned Ministry.
- Decree no 60/97 of the Ministry of Culture and Higher Education which inscribes the Valley of Qadisha. on the list of national heritage of historical buildings with its natural and artificial grottos. This decree prohibits the execution of any works that might change the actual status of the Valley without getting an agreement from the General Direction of Antics.
- Decision no 850 of December 2, 1998 by UNESCO which considers the Valley of Qadisha. as a Worldly Cultural View that is part in the natural sites of the List of Worldwide Heritage (the second).
COSAQ is working for the safeguard and rehabilitation of the spiritual, natural and cultural heritage of the Valley of Qadisha. It also aims to make recognizable Qadisha’s original sites with all their historical, natural and ecological dimensions while making sure its development is sustainable for its surroundings.
In order to realize its fixed objectives, COSAQ has to put in place different perspectives to insure contacts with the different official parties,Stake holders: Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Tourism. public administrations concerned and the municipalities and help them cooperate between each other. COSAQ also has to establish the necessary studies, propose preventive actions from the dangers encountered by the valley in conformity with the UNESCO’s law and control the execution. The community also has to provide specialized services for all the persons concerned by organizing conferences and seminars to better inform them about the Valley.
The geographical frontiers of the Valley of Qadicha are: The cedars from the east, the villages of Mazra’at el Nahr and of Tourza from the west, Ehden from the north and Hadath el Joubbeh from the South. These limits englobe the valleys of “Qadisha.”, “Qannoubine” and “Qozhaya” and all the neighboring villages of these valleys which are englobed in the name of the Valley of Qadisha.