Morocco struggles to fight deforestation
2007-03-25
Human activities are largely responsible for a loss of forest cover in Morocco. The government is taking steps to combat deforestation, but more remains to be done.
By Sarah Touahri for Magharebia in Rabat—25/03/07
 [Sarah Touahri] Morocco currently loses 30,000 hectares of forest per year |
In recent years ecologists and officials have raised the alarm that without sufficient awareness campaigns and government action, Morocco may lose its forests. According to Hammou Jader, Secretary-General of the High Commission for Water, Forests and Desertification Control, the country currently loses 30,000 hectares of forest per year, due to a number of problems including human activity, climate change and fires. Jader said that in most cases, the risk from fires is "caused mainly and directly by humans".
Although fires are a problem throughout the year 80% of them occur between June and October. The cause of half of the fires is never discovered, although 40% of fires are known to result from negligence such as field burning, forest clearing, campfires, discarded cigarettes and smoking beehives for honey collection. Morocco's January and February frosts frequently blight large numbers of trees and make it easier for forest fires to spread.
According to the High Commission for Water, Forests and Desertification Control, deforestation can contribute to flooding and topsoil loss as plant cover is less able to play its role in regulating water flows and protecting against soil erosion. The commission is therefore trying to address the situation by restoring forest density and the balance of the ecosystem. Reforestation will be necessary to satisfy the growing demand for wood products brought about by the country’s social and economic development.
The government has implemented laws, regulations and prevention and control measures in high-risk forest districts. An inter-ministerial committee has drafted a national forest fire prevention strategy which outlines the regions threatened by fires and their main causes. The strategy aims to help put in place a prevention and information programme to tackle the problem in stages. The programme's overall objective is to ensure that the rate of regeneration will be higher than that of forest loss.
Morocco currently plants nearly 37,000 hectares of new forest per year and efforts are being made to increase this rate. In Jader’s view it should be possible to achieve a rate of 50,000 hectares a year and ensure the survival of the country’s forests. Most of the country’s lumber is produced from cedar and pine forests which cover a mere 227,000 hectares, barely 4% of the country’s total forests.
Morocco’s forests cover an area of around 9 million hectares, or 12% of the country’s surface area. Its natural forests cover a total of 5.8 million hectares, while it has 3.2 million hectares of esparto grass steppes. The country has 530,000 hectares of planted forest.
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anas Posted 2007-03-26
19 hectares must be preserved next to Nouaceur (10 mn away from Casablanca). Else, promoters will take care of them, with the support of local authorities. thanks.
BENATA Mohamed Posted 2007-03-26
Those who don't respect trees do not deserve respect. Among the factors that destroy our forests, considered as a national heritage, apart from fire, dwellers or drought, there is another even more important factor, the Water and Forest Authority. This authority, whose task is to protect our forest heritage, allowed Spain's FADESA to destroy our juniper plantation, the only one in Morocco, near Saidia (Western Morocco). This plantation is a natural forest that authorities in charge of our forests were to protect and save. Unfortunately, they were not up to this noble task and let themselves get abused by this nature-destroying government, who fosters this so-called tourism, a mass tourism that does not respect people. If those in charge of forests had any sense of honour, they would have left this administration that doesn't care about forests. Besides, the High Commissioner for Water and Forests is not concerned about forests. If he were, Tazgrart forest on the Saidia coastline and this unique juniper plantation in Saidia would have been saved from this ecological slaughter made by FADESA in Saidia.
hi Posted 2007-03-29
One cannot talk about Moroccan forests without drawing some synthesis on our potential and the way it is managed. A poll among people in charge of the forests shows there is a lack of human resources at hand. It seems impossible to manage a 9 million hectare forest with only 3,000 or 4,000 people, including engineers and technicians. Our forest cannot be considered as a pie that can be shared among all kinds of authorities (rural or urban authorities). We talked about the loss of cedar trees, but we are unable to find the various factors leading to this loss. How can it be developed? Each and every change in the ecosystem will be harmful. Forget about the photo method, we need solutions.
DAOUD Posted 2007-04-07
Hi. Congrats Mr Banata for your expression "He who doesnt respect the forest deserves no respect". You have 12 percent of forests in Morocco, we have three times less in Algeria. Let us unite and act together to combat global warming and climate changes that affect our countries. Let us act for reforestation in the Maghreb Sahara with the president of the association Trees in Sahara. See you.
محمد Posted 2007-04-10
I want a comprehensive study about forest coverage.
bouhaj Posted 2007-04-25
What are the main strategies in the struggle against deforestation?
bouhaj Posted 2007-05-29
I would like a complete study on the struggle against deforestation.
يوسف Posted 2007-07-02
I really appreciate this article.
saousane Posted 2007-10-23
What are the causes of deforestation in Morocco?
حسن العمراوي مريرت Posted 2007-11-04
How is it possible to imagine a sustainable development with this draining of our natural resources? Despite the diversity of our forests, they only cover 12% of the overall area of the country especially that the average for ecological balance is between 15 and 20%. The statistical data show that between 1960 and 2004, we’ve lost over 132224 hectares of forest lands. The forest area recesses in our country at the rate of 31000 hectares a year so to where??? Of course our destiny is unknown???? What’s awaiting coming generations???? Yes we have the right to meet our needs now but the most important isn’t to violate the right of coming generations to take advantage of natural resources as it’s the property of all the humanity. Thank you.
سمسم Posted 2007-11-22
I want this topic in French, please, thank you.
الحياني هشام Posted 2007-11-25
There is another problem contributing to the deterioration of forests: it is the fire that destroys thousands of hectares. I agree with you my friend concerning the damages caused by Fadesa to the coast of Saidia. But you should know that there are hidden hands which contribute to these irresponsible deeds.
يار السليماني Posted 2007-12-19
Thank you for opening this debate. I hope that it will reach the eyes and ears of the official in charge of forests in Morocco. Within my contribution, I would like to show that the forests of Artemisia (Chih) in the Antiatlas are subject to extermination by the local people namely women who sell Artemisia to the traders. Their only concern is to make quick profit at the lowest prices in conspiracy with the officials of water and forests in the delegate of Taroudant and Tiznit. For example Artemisia is sold in the market of Kaghem before the only guard of the forest. Moreover, drought and extraction of Artemisia plan will lead to its total extinction therefore, destruction of bees and livestock. If the officials are really concerned, let’s see their initiative otherwise the results will be serious.
gatski Posted 2008-01-03
In the name of God. Thank you my sister for tackling this topic, it's the topic of the era, in our times we see only things that destroy our forests: fires, cutting, etc.
meriem Posted 2008-03-04
Please suggest some solutions to the deterioration of the forest ecosystem.
hakim souki Posted 2008-03-10
What are the consequences of the deterioration of forests in Morocco?
Ouald Aissa Mohamed Posted 2008-03-27
I was delighted to find this forum, which allows me to exchange opinions about the problems with our ecosystem. Being originally from the Rif massif, or, more particularly, a region known for cedar forests. I noted that in recent years there has been a dramatic decline in the number and density of forest in this region, because of growing population and the scarcity of land for farming (that is: the cultivation of cannabis). As such, I would like someone to help me identify the entities this concerned in the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Water and Ministry of Forests so that I can relay my concerns and those of the inhabitants’ of this area so that we may co-operate with them in order to put an end to this disastrous scourge, which continues to pose serious problems for residents. Please, advise me of the services with which I can collaborate on this.
zakaria archane Posted 2008-04-07
If it is possible, could you let me know the number of forests we have in Morocco, as well as their names? Thank you
حسن العمراوي ابو شادية Posted 2008-04-20
Desertification is the movement of the desert system towards the semi-arid or semi-humid regions and all that this entails, including the deterioration of the land's productive means. It is simply the extension of the desert ecosystem towards other ecosystems, usually characterized by deterioration in those ecosystems. This phenomenon takes many forms, mainly the creeping of desert and sand dunes over green space, depletion of waters and decrease in their levels, the phenomenon of sandy and salty soil, deterioration of the forests... There are many reasons but generally it is possible to distinguish between natural and human reasons related to the irrational intervention of man in nature, the absence of a strategic vision of sustainable development, excessive grazing, overuse of the soil, disproportionate irrigation, drought, irregularity of rain falls, pollution and so on…Environmentalists sound the alarm in the face of such phenomena which define our system because deserts creep over hundreds of kilometres. What will be the fate of our sons and grandsons if we don’t contribute beginning now and without hesitation to add the ecological and development aspect to our immediate projects?
فيصل عبدربو Posted 2008-04-28
Thank for the topic from all my heart.
Lahcen Posted 2008-04-30
Salam alaikoum, Thanks a lot for the enlightening debate on the reality of our forests, the source of life. In my view, it is imperative to find ways of extending the forests, either by planting trees in its sides or creating new, large green areas in dry regions, like the south and east of the country. As they say in military terms, the best way to defend is to attack; we should see extending the scope of forests as a way to block degradation. NGOs might be a great help if there is a clear plan of action. Best for all.
AIT MOUHATTA MOHAMED Posted 2008-05-04
Hello to all nature lovers, I think it is time we reserved a bit of our time for the preservation of the natural resource we know as the forest. It is my professional and administrative responsibility as Secretary General of the Forest Technicians of Morocco to not turn a blind eye to things that are usually seen as normal, especially in the management of reforestation markets. I would like to attract the attention of both the people in charge and all the lovers of nature to fulfill the former reforestation criterion in Benslimane. Before setting other parameters that will be condemned, without a doubt, to the same fate, we must verify the success rates of other plans, studying their constraints so that we do not hinder the success of reforestation. In the end, I say, “SOS!” for the Calliteraie of Bir Guettara and a job well done for the HCEFLCD 2005-2014 action plan.
حسناء Posted 2008-06-16
Salam alikoum my brothers. May God bless you for broaching this topic. Praise be to God because there is still a righteous category in the nation of Mohamed. Concerning the problem of deforestation, in my personal opinion, it is unfortunately a problem which has not been adequately appreciated by the competent authorities, like other problems such as the deterioration of water both in quality and quantity, the deterioration of agricultural land and soil and threats to biodiversity, the deterioration of the coastal and sea environment...The list is long. The environmental problem no longer has a regional dimension, it has now an international dimension given that the Earth is just one big ecosystem. Therefore, we must find quick solutions or alternatives before it is too late and the worst comes. By the way, Morocco's ecological policy is still totally powerless. We hope that these figures aren't false like all other figures just not to create panic. Thank you for this topic. Your Moroccan sister Hasna.
majidi abde rrazzaq Posted 2008-07-24
With regards to this subject, there is just too much to say. Our forests are threatened and no one can say any different. And, I can tell you why: Morocco’s forests are considered to be a very profitable economic resource in terms of wooden products. This is why yearly cutting devours thousands of hectares. And, even our administration that is in charge of managing this national heritage and that has all the power to protect them remains inactive in the face of this. Sometimes, it even gives authorisation to do more cutting. This is without a doubt going to destroy our forests, and, when that happens, it will be very difficult or even impossible to bring the situation back to normal, because the balance will already be disrupted. And, it is not possible to speak of “rebalancing”, because we are talking about a system that came about over thousands of years, not something that just formed. Moreover, climatic change will not permit this. Therefore, there is nothing left to do but protect that which remains with all our strength and will.
بيداح baidahانزكان اكاديرagadir inzegane Posted 2008-07-28
Salam alikum. This should be the responsibility of everyone in this universe. We must preserve our environment to ensure continuity and cohabitation in this universe. It is possible to check on Youtube Tadaouite Association in the province of Inezgane Ait Melloul, Wilaya of Agadir Ida Outanane, Kingdom of Morocco and how they have raised the awareness of the citizen to preserve the environment without hesitation for the association. They have been mobilized to preserve it. How great is that! People who don’t have any resources including teachers, traders, workers, public servants, nurses, doctors, students and citizens of different categories.
Sally Piper Posted 2008-08-16
Hullo, Greetings from France. I am very concerned at deforestation world wide. May I suggest that you look at what Permaculture has been able to do in the desert in Jordan. There is a project to open permaculture centres worldwide - a project that I am supporting. Please look at www.permaculture.org.au for a video called 'Greening the desert'. Together, we can make the world green.
noor ezzaki Posted 2008-10-02
Please give me the names of Morocco’s forests.
عبد العزيز الاحمدي-كتامة Posted 2008-11-21
The problem of forest lands in Morocco, its reality, exploitation and current situation is just the result of the forest policy adopted in last years. It reflects forest legislation which still includes clauses and chapters which do not fit the development of the Moroccan legal reality. The state of forests and its future is worrying. Forest areas which Morocco had in the beginning of the last century are far higher than current areas. Preserving this heritage has become an international issue given that today the world is facing serious challenges with world environment. The quick drop in forest areas is most probably one of the common issues for countries of the world. If we assume that destroying the forest of a country affects directly or indirectly neighbouring countries from this act, this might cause trans-borders or international conflicts in future. This leads us to say that Morocco should take ambitious and quick steps to preserve its natural resources in order to ensure a protection of the balance of its ecosystem on the one hand and avoiding regional and international conflicts which might arise in this sector in future. To be continued.
amine Posted 2008-11-23
Do you not understand when we say the names of Morocco’s forests we are not asking for something weird.
derbasss Posted 2008-12-01
I want the characteristics of the Moroccan forest even if it is generally believed that they are absent.
ليلى Posted 2008-12-12
We want please more explanation.
عبد العزيز الاحمدي-كتامة Posted 2008-12-21
As far as looking for the names of Moroccan forests is concerned, the matter requires a field research is necessary especially in the absence of a clear-cut forest map. But you can refer to this book “An SOS call to protect the Moroccan forest” by Fatima Alaoui, Rabat, New Generation edition house 1993.
Jerrari Posted 2009-01-08
I belong to a group of three high schoolers who are building a solar oven with the aim of fighting against deforestation by replacing traditional ovens that run on wood. I would like to have some information concerning deforestation in Morocco. –Thank you
نادية ديما ديما Posted 2009-02-08
Protecting forests is the responsibility of everyone. Therefore, people should be well aware of its importance in our life. Don’t forget that we are just entrusted. We must return the legacy as God the Almighty says “Do not corrupt on Earth…”. Take care of the environment, it is the source of life of living creatures. By killing forests you case the death of creatures. God the Almighty says “If you kill one soul without others, it is as if you killed all humanity”. God speaks the truth. Bye. God is the assistant. From the colleague Nadia. Morocco forever. Taroudant. Midelt.
Anonymous Posted 2009-02-19
I think we need to clean up the High Commission for Water, Forests and Desertification Control more in order to protect our forest ecosystems.
الدوازي عبد الرحيم Posted 2009-02-23
A question instead of a comment: can the forest guard record an offence for a person who cuts dried trees such as fig trees or olive trees next to his house which is in the centre, kilometeres away from the forest and which law entitles him to do so in Morocco?
محمد المرابط Posted 2009-03-03
I think we must clean the High Commission of Water and Forests, control more deforestation in order to protect our ecosystems in forests.
محمد Posted 2009-03-05
The most important is to protect forests. This can be achieved only through the development of human resources. I mean fighting poverty and vulnerability.
hassan bobo Posted 2009-03-12
morocan forest,especially that one of the middle atlas; undrgoing nowadays a horible destruction,thus some regions like tounfit, sidi yahya ou youssef will suffer a lot from many problems like floods and so on
صباح Posted 2009-03-15
I thank you all for this topic because it is very important. I learned a lot from your opinions.
حياة Posted 2009-03-18
I thank you for this topic because it helped me a lot in my research. I hope that you suggest some solutions very soon please. Thank you.
علاء الدين Posted 2009-04-06
China is planting on the roofs and we destroy our natural resources.
علاء الدين Posted 2009-04-07
In China, they plant on roofs and we destroy the natural resources left by our grandfathers.
علاء الدين Posted 2009-04-09
Wild juniper is one of the rare varieties in the world. As far as I know, it exists only in the Arab Maghreb. It forms beautiful sights in the west of Algeria as its height doesn’t exceed seven meters. It is renewal by aromas is better than seeds. A variety which loves heat. It grows in the north side which has a light soil. I want to know the places where this variety exists in Morocco. Thank you.
عبد العزيز الاحمدي-كتامة Posted 2009-04-18
The most important move which should be undertaken by the Moroccan legislator is to update the legal system by issuing many laws to support the protection of forests namely by regulating big natural spaces such as the law of mountains, the law of the coast, the law of plains, the law of protected lands. But they should all be coordinated, have a protective, economic, environmental and social objective. In view of the seriousness of the phenomena of deforestation and erosion in our country, we see that it is very important to adopt a special law about planting trees so that it becomes a permanent and compulsory process. This is because forest laws are very fragmented, unclear and imprecise especially the royal decree of 10/10/1917 which still includes paragraphs that do not keep pace with the evolution of the Moroccan legal reality.
توفيق بجطيط Posted 2009-05-10
Morocco is the country of natural diversity. God endowed it with forests, mountains, deserts and oceans. So let's protect this great country.
توفيق بجطيط Posted 2009-05-25
Efforts should be intensified in order to preserve forests in Morocco through the protection of forests from fires, excessive grazing and by intensifying plantations to avoid crawling of sands and deforestation. Let’s protect environment because it is life.
حنان Posted 2009-05-27
Peace, mercy and blessings of God be upon you. May God reward you with good for this invaluable information which helped us. As I study at university in the department of geography, it is common that we are assigned to prepare presentations about environment and the risks threatening it. This information was very important. We thank you very much for this forum abundant in information which help me in my research.
علاف جمال Posted 2009-08-05
Renewing forests is the best way to fight deforestation.
mahfoud abderrahmane Posted 9 days ago
Hello everyone- It is impressive to see people who are interested in our environment in general and our forests in particular in our wonderful Morocco. I spent three years on Tedghine, the highest summit in the Rif Mountains. I really understood what a cedar tree was. Every year, for three to four months, a deadly freeze passed by us thanks to this tree, which gave us wood to heat ourselves and keep alive. I would like anyone who really wants to defend the forest to spend one winter night in this region with all the food in the world, but without touching a branch. I am aware of the magnitude of this tragedy, but there are also human lives at stake. I ask for some rationality in seeking a resolution to the ecological danger while also not marginalising the reality in the field. The debate is open.
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