HIBAPRESS-RABAT-MAP Ecology
Khenifiss National Park, located 80 km north of Tarfaya in the commune of Akhfennir, is a true natural jewel. The contrast between the sea and the desert offers a beautiful palette of colors that goes from the green of the tall grasses that grow in the lagoon to the yellow and white of the sand and the crystal blue of the sea.
Made up essentially of five complementary ecosystems including the sea, the lagoon, the Sebkha, the coastal dunes and their Saharan hinterland, the Khenifiss national park which extends over approximately 186,000 Ha, has been classified as a RAMSAR site (convention for the protection of wetlands) and in the list of sites of Biological and Ecological Interest (SIBE).
Classified as a national park in 2006, this natural area which extends over two communes, namely the commune of Akhefennir (90%) and Tah (10%), encompasses two major physiographic groups.
This is the coastal area with its lagoon, which represents the living heart and core of the park, a source of biological wealth of the site, as well as the vast interior hamadas dotted with medium reliefs, plateaus, sebkhas, dunes, and some wadi valleys which all give an indisputable landscape value to this region of a unique character.
The Khenifiss Lagoon or the Naïla Lagoon is the jewel of the Khenifiss National Park. It is an arm of the sea that extends inland over 20 km long and a few hundred meters wide. On one side of the lagoon, sand dunes stretch as if to infinity, while on the other side are cut into cliffs eroded by the winds.
The characteristics of the natural landscape and the various species of birdlife present in the lagoon make it a privileged space for observing landscapes and birds in the region.
The Naïla lagoon is also distinguished by a fairly rich and diverse fauna such as migratory birds, fish, molluscs and many other species, some of which are among the rarest or most endangered.
In addition, the biodiversity of the Khenifiss National Park attracts tourists from Morocco and abroad, passionate about discovering nature, especially since it is a privileged place for ornithologists.
Indeed, the spectacular gatherings of birds such as cormorants, gulls, grey herons and pink flamingos make these places of great tourist interest. This birdlife is enriched with new species during migration periods, especially in winter.
This park is full of varied natural sites, such as the pink dunes visible on the horizon, locally called “Lghard Lahmer” having significant dimensions (up to 70 m in height), the valley of wadi “Khaoui N’Aâm” and “Dayat Tenouchad”, which constitutes a privileged environment for the migration and reproduction of some species of birds.
Considered the beating heart of the Khenifiss National Park, the Naïla lagoon welcomes more than 25,000 migratory birds per year, representing some 212 species of birds, which regularly stop over to feed, reproduce and nest.
Furthermore, the ANEF Regional Directorate encourages ecotourism and ensures the reconciliation between the preservation of natural resources, the safeguarding of biodiversity and the sustainable management of the park, in consultation with local stakeholders and representatives of civil society.
A true natural sanctuary, the Khenifiss National Park is distinguished by its great diversity of flora, fauna and landscapes. However, the preservation of this natural jewel will inevitably depend on the efforts of all stakeholders, in order to ensure its sustainability and conserve its ecosystems.
