Hima (environmental protection)  From Wikipedia, the free
encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search  A himá (Arabic:
حمىḥimā) "inviolate zone" refers to an area set aside for the
conservation of natural capital, typically fields, wildlife and
forests - contrast ḥaram, which defines an area protected for
more immediate human purposes.  A Muslim has a specific
obligation to practice khilafa ("stewardship") over nature, and
each species of animals is said to be "its own nation". "Human
beings are God's representatives on earth. This means that if
they are not charged with maintaining the world, or rending to
it, they must at least not destroy it" .[1]  The selection of
himás was thus a religious rather than community obligation, and
was often undertaken by the ulema.  There are five types of
himá:[2]    1. areas where grazing of domestic animals is
prohibited   2. areas where grazing is restricted to certain
seasons   3. beekeeping reserves where grazing is restricted
during flowering   4. forest areas where cutt