Environmental and Health Concerns Surrounding Ait Ourir Waste Dump
The regional directorate for the environment in the Marrakesh-Safi region has responded to the pressing concerns of the local population in Ait Ourir regarding the potential health and environmental impacts attributed to the waste disposal site located in the area. In a formal reply to a recent correspondence, the directorate confirmed that it has forwarded the received complaint to the governor of Al Haouz province, with the aim of dispatching a mixed technical committee to visit the site. This initiative is intended to gather technical data and assess the specifics of the complaints raised, along with the reported damages.
Last August, local activists in Ait Ourir expressed their outrage over the unpleasant odors emanating from the illegal waste dump, warning of the severe environmental and health consequences it poses. A complaint submitted to various authorities, including the public prosecutor's office at the Marrakesh Court of Appeals, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, and the National Human Rights Council, highlighted that the dump is situated amidst densely populated residential areas. This proximity renders the impacts on citizens' health and safety alarmingly hazardous.
The complaint detailed the noxious odors, smoke, and gases resulting from the accumulation and incineration of waste, which have persisted for over three decades. It emphasized that "the dump is located in an ecologically significant area, adjacent to the Zat River." Additionally, there are rising concerns about the leaching of leachate and pollutants into the soil and water over these years, which could adversely affect the ecosystem and natural resources. The threat posed to local flora and fauna, as well as air quality, is deemed critically serious.
As reported by hespress.com.
