The designation of “Saghir Atlas Park” sparks protests in four provinces of Souss
A. Latif Baraka: Heba Press
The intensity of the protests continues in several provinces of the Souss-Massa region, against the intention of the Ministry of Agriculture to initiate the process of defining the territory of the “Western Anti-Atlas Natural Park”, which includes part of the provinces of (Taroudant, Tiznit, Sidi Ifni and Chtouka Ait Baha).
Despite the assurances given by the Minister of Agriculture, Al-Siddiqi, to the protesters regarding this designation of the natural park, dozens of human rights and civil society activists are still continuing their protests, the most recent being a stand in front of the Tiznit prefecture last weekend, which was preceded by a demonstration in front of the Chtouka prefecture, demanding… Thanks to her, the decision to create the “Western Anti-Atlas Natural Park” was reversed.
Participants in the demonstration, called by the Land, Supply and Resources Committee, emanating from the Akal Coordination for the Defense of the Right of Residents to Land and Wealth, in coordination with human rights and civil society activists in Tiznit, raised slogans in which they denounced the They attempted to seize 111,120 hectares in the area targeted for the settlement of the park, expressing their denunciation because the state continues to confiscate the lands of the population inherited from their ancestors centuries ago, they considered that “instead of adopting real development programs that improve the economic and social conditions of all male and female citizens in the region, respect local privacy and preserve local natural resources, the state has tended to issue decrees and laws aimed at seizing more land and depriving the local population and its benefits. returns.”
This press release, as well as a press release issued by the Tamaynot Association and the Voice of Amazigh Women Association, indicated that among the administrative decisions they were requesting to be annulled was the decision of the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests No. 3267.23 concerning the conduct of public research for the creation of the Western Anti-Atlas Natural Park, which is planned to be established on an area of 111,130 hectares spread over an area of 111,130 hectares in the territorial communities of each of the provinces of Chtouka Ait Baha. , Taroudant and Tiznit. The “Akal” coordination for the defense of the right of inhabitants to land and wealth in each of Amjad, Tiznit, Sidi Ifni Ait Baamrane, Chtouka Ait Baha and Taroudant also expressed its support in a press release. support for all demonstrations to confront the policies they described; an “unpopularity” that aims to displace the local population, calling on the responsible authorities to open a serious dialogue and respond to the coordination’s demands to abolish colonial laws and modify the Code of Real Rights.
