Morocco is embarking on an ambitious initiative to restore 30% of its degraded wetland ecosystems as it grapples with one of the most severe water crises in recent years. Following seven consecutive years of drought, the nation has implemented new measures aimed at safeguarding these vital natural spaces, which play a crucial role in biodiversity, support migratory birds, and help mitigate flooding risks.
In tandem with these efforts, various research projects and restoration programs have begun to take shape across different regions of the country. These initiatives encompass water quality improvements, riverbank restoration, dune rehabilitation, and the monitoring of threatened species, all in an effort to halt the accelerated degradation of these ecosystems.
Morocco is home to nearly 300 wetlands, both continental and coastal, covering approximately 400,000 hectares. Out of these, 38 sites are internationally recognized under the Ramsar Convention, a global treaty designed to protect wetland areas and promote their sustainable use.
The Moroccan authorities have issued warnings regarding the increasingly severe threats faced by these ecosystems, including riverbank erosion, advancing dunes, and desertification. Although recent rainfall has partially improved reservoir levels, water stress remains one of the country’s most significant environmental challenges.
Since 2020, Morocco has been implementing a national strategy aimed at restoring at least 30% of its degraded ecosystems. This comprehensive plan intertwines ecological conservation with sustainable activities related to agriculture, tourism, and biodiversity protection.
Active initiatives include the construction of flood control systems in the Afenourir wetland, efforts to enhance water quality in Marchica Lagoon, and reforestation activities across various watersheds. Additionally, habitat rehabilitation projects are progressing through ecological recovery of riverbanks and the establishment of artificial islands and nests in coastal areas such as Sidi Boughaba and Naila Lagoon.
Experts emphasize that these efforts are essential for mitigating the impacts of drought and bolstering the country’s water resilience. The rapid degradation of wetlands is particularly concerning, as these ecosystems are disappearing at a rate up to three times faster than forests.
According to officials from Morocco's National Agency for Water and Forests, the protection of these areas also has a direct impact on economic activities such as tourism and agriculture.
One of the focal points of this environmental strategy is the Essaouira archipelago, recognized as a Ramsar site since 2015 and deemed a critical stopover for numerous migratory birds. Here, the National Agency for Water and Forests of Morocco has launched a specific program to conserve the ecosystem, restore part of its natural heritage, and promote a model of sustainable tourism.
This region is home to approximately 700 breeding pairs of the Eleonora's falcon, a species classified as near threatened. Each year, these birds arrive at the archipelago in April to nest and remain until October before continuing their migration.
In addition to the Eleonora's falcon, the archipelago also hosts yellow-legged gulls, reptiles, and endemic plants. Specialists are even monitoring the population sizes of certain bird species to prevent imbalances within the ecosystem.
Through this project, Morocco aims for Essaouira to achieve international recognition as a "Wetland City," following the examples set by Valencia in Spain and Valdivia in Chile. This endeavor has secured funding from the Spanish Government, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund for ultra-peripheral regions, aimed at facilitating the transportation of goods in the Canary Islands, representing a true example of European cooperation.
As reported by okdiario.com.
