Morocco is facing major environmental challenges as the heatwave and drought continue to ravage its forests. With over 9 million hectares of forest cover, the country sees its green lungs heavily affected by fires and biodiversity disruptions. To address this, the state and various associations are mobilizing to launch reforestation initiatives.
Between 2022 and 2023, devastating fires destroyed tens of thousands of hectares of Moroccan forests. The National Agency for Water and Forests (ANEF) is maintaining heightened vigilance in 2024 due to extreme temperatures and drought conditions that favor wildfires. Mohammed Hakam, regional director of ANEF in the Taza province, explains that Moroccan forests face multiple threats, including prolonged periods of drought, extreme weather phenomena such as fires, as well as floods and pest infestations.
To counter these threats, ANEF has implemented the “Morocco Forest 2020-2030” plan. This plan aims to create protected areas where vegetation can regenerate without human interference and to promote the reforestation of destroyed areas. The goal is to reforest or regenerate 50,000 hectares per year in the early years, reaching 100,000 hectares per year by 2030.
Civil society is also actively participating in these efforts, reforesting with drought-resistant local species. Larbi Didouquen, agro-forestry consultant at the Haut Atlas Foundation, emphasizes the importance of endemic plants such as the argan tree, carob tree, olive tree, and fig tree. These species, adapted to the local climate and requiring little water, produce value and do not need many phytosanitary products, thus enabling sustainable agriculture.
In light of the repeated heatwaves, King Mohammed VI reaffirmed on July 29, in his annual speech, Morocco’s commitment to protecting its environment. This determination is manifested through concerted initiatives to restore and preserve the kingdom’s forests.