After sparking widespread controversy…an official at the National Agency for Water and Forests clarifies regarding the creation of the Natural Park of the Western Anti-Atlas in Souss.

Agadir 24 | Agadir24

The controversy surrounding the project to create the Western Anti-Atlas Natural Park in the provinces of Chtouka Ait Baha, Tiznit and Taroudant continues, especially in light of the concerns of the local population regarding the status of private property within this park and the exploitation of the forest area by rights holders.

In response to this issue, Youssef Zarrouqi, Regional Director of the National Water and Forest Agency in Tiznit, revealed that the work to prepare the area in which the project will be held is carried out in consultation with those concerned, and their opinions are taken into account.

Al-Zarrouqi, who was speaking during the May session of the Amlen Collective Council in the Tiznit Province, highlighted that the motives for creating this park lie in the fact that the region is characterized by unique biological and environmental diversity, and includes important biological potentials, as it is considered a natural habitat for a large number of living organisms.

In addition, the same site has environmental qualifications in terms of ecological functions and nature preservation, such as the argan tree, green oak, dragon tree, and juniper tree, in addition to natural and heritage wet areas, as well as a huge amount of diverse endangered plants, according to the same spokesman.

The same regional official stated that the same site contains 9 species of mammals that are considered rare and on the way to extinction, 17 species of birds that inhabit this area, such as the royal eagle and the Bolney eagle, and 40 species of reptiles, of which 11 species are considered rare.

Regarding the main directions for managing and developing this park, the spokesman explained that it is divided into two parts, one of which is related to protection, and includes preserving the argan forests and the dragon tree, rehabilitating and protecting the natural habitats in the park, maintaining the current state of protecting threatened animals, enhancing surveillance and combating indiscriminate hunting, and then preserving the resources of the park. Water and soil, sustainable forest management and maintaining the balance of forest pastures.

Regarding the second trend, it is linked, according to the same official, to investment and sustainable development, as it aims to encourage ecological and mountain heritage and cultural tourism and the rational management of forest products and pastures, and to support the development of the local economy by valuing the chains of trees, then creating new job opportunities by valuing forest resources. And local products.

It should be noted that the parliamentary representative for the Progress and Socialism team in the House of Representatives, Khadija Arohal, had called on the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests to disclose the legal guarantees provided to residents of the area of ​​the Western Anti-Atlas Natural Park project regarding their rights to land ownership and exploitation.

In a written question addressed to the Guardian Minister, the parliamentary representative reviewed the details of the decision issued in the Official Gazette No. 7282 dated 3 Ramadan 1445 (March 14, 2024), which stipulates the opening of a public investigation regarding the establishment of the National Natural Park of the Western Anti-Atlas, in a wide territorial area exceeding 111,000. Hectares and extends between the provinces of Taroudant, Tiznit and Chtouka Ait Baha. This project falls within the “Morocco Forest Strategy 2020-2030”, in its part related to the development of national parks and protected areas.

Arohal revealed that this public research will be conducted in the period extending from May 20 to August 19, 2024, in accordance with the requirements of Decree No. 2.18.242 issued on Ramadan 14, 1442 (April 27, 2021), regarding the implementation of some requirements of Law No. 22.07 related to protected areas, noting that The concerned residents can view the creation file of the Western Anti-Atlas Natural Park at the headquarters of the territorial communities that belong to the area that concerns them, so that they can register their comments regarding it.

Regardless of the legal aspects of this decision, the parliamentarian considered that the data on the ground indicate the absence of official communication about this project, which contributed to the lack of understanding of the issue and the spread of unreliable news among the population, which she considered to be “natural” due to their fear for harm. Their real estate properties and economic interests.

The spokeswoman stressed that this situation requires providing legal guarantees to the concerned residents that their rights to ownership and exploitation of the land will not be infringed, and launching a wide-ranging path in the communities of: Amelen, Tanalet, Sidi Mazal, Tighmi, Arbaa Ait Ahmed, Anzi, Oukens, Two Addai, Sidi Ahmed or Moussa, Tizi Ntakoucht, Tarka Ntouchka, Sidi Abdellah Bouchouari, Idaw Knadif, Ait Issafin, Raggada, Ouigan and Arbaa Rasmouka, under the supervision of local authorities and elected representatives.

Arohal concluded that following a methodology of this type would ensure the success of the Western Anti-Atlas National Natural Park project, as a large number of male and female citizens would be able to directly express their views, especially those who cannot read and write, and who will not be able to access records of observations that It will be opened at the groups’ headquarters, either because of the distance or the rugged terrain.

The same spokeswoman considered that adopting this comprehensive path would constitute an opportunity for the specialized teams affiliated with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests, and the National Water and Forest Agency to provide explanations for the benefit of the population about the objectives of the aforementioned project and its details, the development and investment opportunities it will provide, the rules for exploiting its resources, and its biological and ecological importance. .