HIBAPRESS-Abdel Latif Baraka
The cooperation between the Provincial Directorate of the National Agency for Water and Forests in Taroudant and the Al-Rahma Association for Environmental Preservation and Argan Tree Protection in the mountainous commune of Al-Dair has yielded a practical experiment in afforestation and raising awareness of the importance of preserving this natural heritage.
This initiative involves providing and planting Argan saplings, alongside organizing awareness campaigns targeting the local population, with the aim of embedding a culture of tree protection and promoting community participation in safeguarding forest areas.
This experiment was initiated by the Al-Rahma Association, which requested support from the Provincial Directorate of Water and Forests to organize an awareness day for the residents of Al-Dair commune. The directorate responded by providing Argan saplings that were planted as part of the activity, and the experiment was successful.
The importance of this initiative lies in combining awareness and practical action. Preserving the Argan tree is not limited to highlighting its environmental value but also requires encouraging afforestation, protecting saplings after planting, and motivating residents to engage in efforts to ensure the continuity of vegetation cover.
The awareness campaigns also served as an opportunity to highlight the role of Argan in maintaining ecological balance, combating desertification, and preserving biodiversity, in addition to its economic and social value for the regions where it is prevalent.
This initiative falls within the framework of interventions supervised by the National Agency for Water and Forests through its directorate in Taroudant, led by its official Ismail Ben Omar, who recently oversaw the follow-up and implementation of several forestry projects in the province. These include the launch of the Provincial Forestry Plan for Taroudant for the period 2026-2030, with a budget of approximately 705 million dirhams. He also led field intervention and firefighting operations during forest fires that affected some areas of the province, including the Ounaine forest fire, as part of efforts to mitigate the risks threatening forest wealth.
These data highlight the multiplicity of challenges associated with forest area management, including reforestation, fire prevention, and raising awareness of the importance of preserving natural resources.
The experience of the Al-Rahma Association in Al-Dair commune confirms that involving civil society can be a practical approach to supporting Argan protection programs, especially when coupled with the cooperation of specialized institutions and the participation of local residents.
However, the sustainability of afforestation results remains linked to monitoring the growth of saplings, protecting them from damage, and providing the conditions for their survival, in addition to continuing and expanding awareness campaigns.
The core challenge remains to transform circumstantial initiatives into continuous environmental action that contributes to protecting Argan forests and preserving this natural asset for future generations.
