HIBAPRESS – By: A. Mahyawi.
Just a few years ago, Dayet Aoua was one of the most beautiful natural destinations in Morocco, a water painting surrounded by mountains and cedar forests, visited by visitors from all over the country to enjoy the tranquility of the place and the clarity of its water that reflects the blue of the sky.
But today, the lake has turned into barren land, cracking under the sun, after it was a haven for wild ducks and nature lovers. And the question that everyone repeats: Where did the water of Dayet Aoua disappear? Local sources indicate that climate change played a decisive role in this environmental disaster, as the repeated drought waves and the decline in rainfall reduced the water level to an unprecedented level. In addition to that, some environmental activists confirm that the overexploitation of groundwater in the region also contributed to the depletion of the lake's natural resources. But the story does not stop here, as the disappearance of water struck local tourism in its core. Restaurants and cafes that used to live on the lake's visitors closed their doors, and economic activity in the region was paralyzed. As for the residents, they live in the hope of the return of the water that was a source of pride and livelihood. In contrast, environmental activists and those interested call for urgent intervention from the authorities and elected councils, through a real environmental rescue project: refilling the lake with water, protecting the water table, and launching afforestation and sustainability programs that restore life to this forgotten natural gem. Can Dayet Aoua return as it once was? The answer is still suspended between the mercy of the sky and the will of man.
