Morocco to create 3 biosphere reserves including Argan

Agadir (southwest), Feb. 28 - Morocco is due to create three biosphere reserves, part of a national strategy for protected natural areas, revealed, here Monday, Water and Forest Commissioner, Abdeladim El Hafi.

The reserves include an Argan reserve (RBA), an oases reserve, south (RBOSM) and an intercontinental Mediterranean Reserve (RBIM), El Hafi told MAP at the end of a workshop on sustainable tourism, adding that the RBIM, which enjoys the UNESCO backing, is a unique in the world as it links Africa and Europe.

He said that the geographic, climate and cultural similarities between southern Spain and northern Morocco were behind the creation of this reserve, which covers an area of 1.000.000 ha, noting that the project aims at enabling the two countries share experiences and cooperate in managing and protecting natural resources.

A plan to set up a Cedar Biosphere Reserve in the Middle Atlas is also being devised to safeguard this tree, due to its important role in regulating the water cycle, in an area that contains more than 40% of water resources in Morocco, he said.

El Hafi recalled that Morocco ranks second -after Turkey- in the Mediterranean in terms of biodiversity richness, its natural resources remain however "Fragile and not protected enough, which requires the setting up of a national network to protect natural areas."

The national strategy for protected natural areas revolves around three axes, namely restoring and developing polluted environments, and promoting eco-tourism products.