Sweida, Southern Syria, (SANA)-Lajat was declared a man and biosphere reserve, entering the UNESCO's World Network of  Biosphere Reserves as a protected forest with an area of 2000 hectares.

Lajat became the first man and biosphere reserves in Syria for having a bio-system that is unique in geological formations and peculiar vegetation.

The declaration, which comes on the occasion of 2010 an International Year of Biodiversity, crowned intensive efforts in preparing the file of the reserve before submitting it to the UNESCO Technical and Scientific Advisory Committee, which voted unanimously for declaring Lajat a man and biosphere reserve.

The declaration is to be officially celebrated on February 18th 2010 in Sweida.

Manal Ismael/Ghossoun