Moroccan Minister Backtracks on Controversial National Park Plan After Public Outcry
Morocco Listens: Government Reverses Course on Anti-Atlas National Park After Public Outcry
In a victory for local communities, Morocco’s Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests, Mohammed Sadiki, announced the reversal of a controversial decision to create a national park in the Western Anti-Atlas region. The announcement, met with relief and celebration, came during the opening ceremony of the National Exhibition of Local Products in Agadir.
The proposed park, slated to encompass over 111,000 hectares across the provinces of Taroudant, Chtouka Ait Baha, and Tiznit, was initially presented as a key component of Morocco’s “Forests Strategy 2020-2030,” aiming to expand national parks and protected areas. However, the project quickly drew sharp criticism from local communities who felt their voices were not heard.
Over 72 villages within the proposed park boundaries united in opposition, expressing their concerns through a joint statement. They argued that the park would infringe upon their ancestral land rights, jeopardizing their livelihoods and access to vital water resources traditionally used for grazing livestock. The statement condemned the unilateral decision-making process, characterizing it as a top-down approach that disregarded the needs and rights of the people who call the Anti-Atlas home.
Adding fuel to the fire, the proposed park’s legal framework, based on Law 22.07 relating to protected areas, raised serious concerns. This law stipulates that land use within national parks must not alter the existing state of the land at the time of the park’s establishment. This clause, locals argued, would severely restrict their ability to manage and utilize their land, further threatening their way of life.
The government’s decision to abandon the project is being hailed as a testament to the power of collective action and a win for participatory development. Minister Sadiki’s responsiveness to the concerns of the Anti-Atlas communities sets a positive precedent for future environmental initiatives in Morocco, emphasizing the importance of dialogue, inclusivity, and respect for local knowledge and livelihoods.
