Hima means (is Arabic for) "inviolate zones" solely for the conservation of natural capital, typically fields, wildlife and forests (contrast haram to protect areas for more immediate human purposes). A Muslim has a specific obligation to practice khalifa ("stewardship") over nature, and each species of animals is said to be "its own nation". The selection of hima was thus a religious rather than community obligation, and was often undertaken by ulema. There were five types of hima reserves:
areas where grazing of domestic animals was prohibited
areas where grazing was restricted to certain seasons
beekeeping reserves where grazing was restricted during flowering
forest areas where cutting of trees was forbidden
reserves managed for the welfare of a particular village, town, or tribe (see haram, although that term usually refers more to water protection measures)
