Status and future of the environment in the Region TAZA-AL HOCEIMA-TAOUNATE
2015 SYNTHESIS REPORT FOR DECISION MAKERS TABLE OF CONTENT
1. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT: A TOOL FOR DECISION MAKING 5 1.1. The importance of an integrated environmental evaluation at the regional level 5 1.2- An approach based on a process of mutual consultation and participation 6
2. TAZA-AL-HOCEIMA-TAOUNATE: A REGION WITH A SIGNIFICANT NATURAL POTENTIAL BUT LOW ECONOMIC GROWTH 7
3. MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL PRESSURES IN THE REGION 12
4. ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENTS OF THE REGION: CONDITIONS AND TRENDS 13 4.1. WATER: an abundant resource but threatened 13 4.2. SOIL: bare soil exposed to intense water erosion 17 4.3. COASTLINE: an enclosed area exposed to pollution, uncontrolled urbanization, and overexploited 20 fisheries resources 4.4. NATURAL RISKS: a real threat and origin to diverse natural hazards 22
5. FUTURE PROSPECTS 25 PART 1: Action against land degradation 25 PART 2: Safeguarding biodiversity 26 PART 3: Integrated water resources management 28 PART 4: Integrated coastal zone management of Al Hoceima province 30 PART 5: Upgrading major natural hazards 31 PART 6: Upgrading environmental sectors 33 PART 7: Managing air pollution 34
TRANSVERSAL ACTIONS 34
GENERAL CONCLUSION 35 SYNTHESIS REPORT FOR DECISION MAKERS
1. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT: A TOOL FOR DECISION MAKING
1.1. The importance of an integrated environmental evaluation at the regional level
Morocco is experimenting environmental transition context that the Department of the Environment phase along with its demographic and economic has undertaken an environmental outreach strategy transition phases. The challenges that Morocco based on regionalization and whose objectives is facing, coupled with nature and wideness of the are the identification of strengths, constraints and environmental issues reached such level in some environmental problems across all regions of localities that they might compromise a big part of Morocco taking into account their socio-economic the economic and social efforts of the last decade, dynamics, their priorities and available resources. as well as limit the well-being opportunity for This strategy is based on a new Thus, several generations to come. framework agreements were signed by His Majesty the King on April 14, 2009, between the Government This issue of environment degradation is very crucial and all regions of the Kingdom, to achieve integrated for Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate region. During these into environmental projects. past decades, the region has witnessed a significant development in several sectors including agriculture, It is within this framework that we developed a study development of road and touristic infrastructure, on integrated assessment of the environment, in fishing and urbanization. This socio-economic the Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate region. the aim of dynamics had significant impacts on the ecological this study is to make available to decision makers and environmental capital of the region particularly and the general public two reports : the first report related to a deficiency of conservation measures and «State of the Regional Environment» as a reference protection of natural resources. tool highlighting the environmental situation in the region, its evolution Over time, the source of The new challenges of Morocco consist thereby of generated pressures, the major environmental issues implementing necessary actions to influence trends and the second report «Future of the Environment in of environmental degradation, taking into account the Region» as a suggested action plan to provide the imperatives of economic development-related to the necessary responses and take greater account globalization and national and regional conditions. of environmental concerns into sectoral and In the light of this observation, and to catch up in terms territorial policies and to put the region on the path of of environmental conservation, a national strategy sustainable development. for environmental upgrading was implemented then declined in all regions of the country. It is in this
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1.2. An approach based on a process of mutual consultation and participation
This study was based on a participatory approach based on the selection of a list of data and indicators involving all relevant stakeholders at the regional available, reliable, and relevant; in order to have level. It has mobilized the skills and expertise of more proper integration in database, and the third step than 200 employees from various backgrounds: the consisted of the prioritization of environmental regional governments, local authorities, government issues and consultation on a regional action plan. entities, universities and research centers, consultants In order to achieve the planned objectives, this and civil society. This approach helped to launch study was based on the DPSIR approach (D: Driving a process of intersectoral dialogue to establish a Forces, P: Pressure, S: State I: Impacts, R response). regular monitoring of the state of the environment This approach is based on causal links between the within the framework of a network designed to interacting components of social, economic and identify environmental issues and priority actions environmental systems. It structures the information required for minimizing environmental degradation in order to identify the causes of environmental related to social and economic impact and human problems and their impact and to evaluate the behavior. responses made on the national and regional The first step of this process consisted in the public policies. consultation for the collection of existing data and indicators among partners. The second step was
CIRCUIT DIAGRAM DPSIR
DRIVING FORCES (D) PRESSURES (P)
Activities that cause pressure on GIVE RISE TO The direct effects on the environment resources and natural environments Extracting natural resources Discharge of pollutants Agriculture, industry, demography, (emissions to air, water, waste, ...)
TO INFLUENCE ACT REDUCE CHANGE
RESPONSES (R) STATE (S)
Responses to preserve and restore RESTORE Degradation of the state of the environment INFLUENCE the environment trends Quantity available water laws, strategies, programs Air quality, water, soil, biodiversity
REDUCE MITIGATE PRODUCE STIMULATE IMPACTS (I) GIVE RISE TO
Impacts on human health, economy and environment
STATUS AND FUTURE OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE REGION TAZA-AL HOCEIMA-TAOUNATE SYNTHESIS REPORT FOR DECISION MAKERS
2. TAZA-AL HOCEIMA TAOUNATE: A REGION WITH A SIGNIFICANT NATURAL POTENTIAL BUT LOW ECONOMIC GROWTH
The region of Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate is located in the north of the country, largely in the Rif region. It covers an area of 23 548 Km2 or 3,31 % of the total surface of the kingdom. The Region is made up of four provinces that are the province of Al Hoceima the administrative center, the province of Taounate, the province of Taza and the province of Guercif created in 2009. It is composed of 14 circles, 15 municipalities and 118 rural communes.
Map 1 Administrative division of the TAT region
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The region is a bridge between the Rif with its within the Region make important differences in coastline and mountains on the one hand, and the rainfall between the high areas including the Atlas Pre-Rif, the Middle Atlas, the corridor of Fez-Taza and and Rif where the average rainfall varies between the steppe zone on the other hand. This landform 600 and 800 mm/year and the alfa areas and the diversity is marked by four major zones that are the plains of “the Average Moulouya” where averages Rif space, the Pre-Rif space, the Atlas mountain range are less than 300 mm/year. and the semi-desert plateau of Guercif. Demographically, the region has a population of The region is characterized by the Mediterranean 1807036 inhabitants (RGPH 2014) or more than climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet 5.34% of the Moroccan population, with an average winters. However, some Rif areas undergo difficult growth rate of 0.01% (lower than that recorded in mountainous climatic conditions especially during nationwide 1.25%). the winter when snow is recurrent. The average temperature varies in winter between 2 ° C and 18 ° C with minimal -4C ° in January in the summer it varies between 18 ° C and 25 ° C with a maximum of 43 ° C in August. Geographical disparities
Map 2 Spatial distribution of the regional population
STATUS AND FUTURE OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE REGION TAZA-AL HOCEIMA-TAOUNATE SYNTHESIS REPORT FOR DECISION MAKERS
The population distribution between the provinces The other social indicators which relate to the highlights a gap in terms of number of inhabitants medical field and health facilities are as alarming between on one side the two provinces of Taounate as those concerning education. The bed capacity and Taza, and on the other side, the provinces of Al of the Region’s hospitals is barely 859 beds, while Hoceima and Guercif. This particular gap shows the the average medical supervision is 1 doctor for 5799 low population density in Guercif. The number of inhabitants. Finally, maternal mortality rate, which is households increased by 33.14% in TAT region, from an important social indicator, is very high throughout 267 481 in 1994 to 356 119 in 2014. Meanwhile, the the country -to the same ranking across northern distribution of the population by place of residence Africa, just behind Mauritania. This rate was about emphasizes its strong rurality since 2014, only 28.9% 227 deaths per 100 000 live births in 2009. of the population is urban. In economic terms, the regional GDP was 25 040 The age structure of the population draws an almost million dirhams in 2012, which represents only perfect pyramid with the predominance of the age 3% of national GDP. This regional GDP is marked group between 15 and 59 years. The predominance of by a predominance of agriculture as the primary the age range of workforce is unfortunately affected economic activity, facing a very weak industrial fabric by poverty. and underdeveloped tourism and fishing sectors. In fact, only 53% of this population is in work (2004). In fact, it is a food agriculture mainly composed of The urban employment rate reflects an evident cereals and legumes (wheat, barley, bean,) combined precarious situation with barely 45% of active with tree crops (almond, olive, fig ...) and livestock workers, against 70% in rural areas. Despite the (cattle , sheep and goats, which represents 10% of higher labor force participation rates in rural areas, national potential). the rural exodus in search of a population change in The Utilized Agricultural Area (UAA) is about lifestyle is a growing phenomenon in the region. This 834 040 ha or 40% of the total area of the region. strongly impacts the state of the environment due Irrigated agricultural land does not exceed 45 806 to the lack of social and economic infrastructure in hectares, or almost 5% of the UAA of the region. The immigration areas that are in the urban centers and gravity-fed irrigation system dominates by 90%. their peripheries. Despite the fact that this sector is the main economic The rural exodus is a socio-economic phenomenon activity of the region, contributing by 30% of the that influences habitat and urbanization in many regional GDP (in 2007), it does not reflect a situation ways. In Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate region where of prosperity. In fact, its contribution to the regional the urbanization rate remains low compared to the GDP increased by only 1.14% between 2004 and national rate (58%), despite the sustained growth (this 2007, which ranks it in terms of development at the rate almost doubled between 1982 and 2004), the bottom sectors. rural exodus contributes to the emergence of new urban centers and the proliferation of non-regulatory Given the slow progress experienced by the settlements. The consequences of such changes in agricultural sector, the Green Morocco Plan, in society are disastrous for the environment if they are its regional version dedicated to the TAT Region not controlled. provides for the promotion and development support of grain production chains and citrus and fruit trees. In the Region, the enrollment rate was 69% in 2010, The implementation of the regional version of the against 80% across the country. This rate reaches its Green Morocco Plan also provides for the recovery highest in Taza-Guercif with 73.6%, against 72.4% in of certain local products and the promotion of certain Al Hoceima and 61.4% in Taounate. Faced with this animal production chains. low regional rate, it is hardly surprising to note that illiteracy still affects more than 54.8% of the regional At the regional level, chemical pollution related to population. The latter, characterized by its significant the use of fertilizers and pesticides remains very low. rurality is home to more illiterates among its rural Most pressure from the agricultural activity is due municipalities (62.1%) compared to those located in to the consumption of water resources for irrigation urban areas (32.9%). purposes.
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Thus, agriculture is not the least polluting and production. Nevertheless, the modes of operation environmentally non- degrading economic sector of quarries and mines, as well as non-respect of in the TAT region. Fishing on the other hand which environmental specifications by operators cost to is among the economic activities that contribute have a detrimental effect on several components of significantly to the economic development of the environment such as water, soil, air etc. the Region, exerts increasing pressure on marine The tourism sector benefits form a huge natural and ecosystems that result in a gradual reduction in the ecological potential in the region, it has 84 lodging availability of exploited resources and disruption of establishments with a capacity that was estimated marine ecosystems. in 2012 at 1697 beds, mainly concentrated in the The fishing fleet consists of 530 units. This sector province of Al Hoceima. The number of overnight contributes to the employment of 5500 workers. stays in 2009 was approximately 54 000. Almost all fish landing is for local and regional fresh The tourism sector contributes to the degradation consumption with the exception of a small portion of the environment by exercising more pressure on not exceeding 3% that is absorbed by some industrial the environment, first on sensitive areas with high processing units. This sector also holds significant ecological value and landscape, and the construction investment opportunities in the fields of aquaculture of tourist projects in these places that should be and the processing industry. protected, then the increase in the quantities of Moreover, this sector has witnessed a positive liquid discharges and waste and finally by the trend since it achieved an average annual growth overexploitation of water and energy resources. of 8% between 1998 and 2007. Given the strong Despite a growth at half mast, this sector does not untapped shipping potential, the Department of take sufficient advantage of the natural, cultural and Maritime Fisheries (DMF), has launched large-scale historical wealth in the area. projects to promote this sector. The objectives to Aware of this situation, as part of the 2020 Tourism be achieved through these projects are the opening Vision Plan, the State provides an environment- up of fishing grounds, improvement of fishing friendly tourism development. The action plans set conditions for fishermen, creating tourist / sports out a vision to promote, in addition to, the product news activities such as scuba diving, as well as development and support for marketing and the fight against abusive fishing practices, likely to investment, sector sustainability, preservation of the endanger marine biodiversity. The measures taken tourism environment and infrastructure. within the framework of these projects do not take into account the pressures generated by the fishing The industrial sector remains moderate in the region sector on the environment. Being layered over top due to the various factors that hinder its development of existing practices and activities related to fishing, including the lack of industrial areas, the scarcity of they can be the cause of environmental degradation skilled labor and low investment. The industrial park originating from accidental chemical spills, the consists in 2012 of 212 establishments employing pollution of beaches and destruction of the seabed, 6312 people. etc. In addition, the most apparent deterioration of Furthermore, the region has an expertise and a the fisheries sector on the environment remains the diversified production of craftsmanship. It has overfishing. The landings of fishery products fell by over 19181 artisans and 76 cooperatives and craft almost half between 2005 and 2013 for the same associations operating primarily in the sectors of fishing effort. wood, textile and leather, metals and pottery. The overexploitation of natural resources is a problem The sectors of industry and handicrafts can cause that arises in the TAT Region; it is also the issue from pressure in terms of production of atmospheric the extractive industry. With 132 quarries, the region emissions from fuels and liquid and solid effluents has 7% of the national total of quarries. The extracted from chemicals and solvents. materials are mainly Gravels and drill cuttings. The extraction of these materials in quarries and mining is essential to the economic development particularly in manufacturing and construction materials
STATUS AND FUTURE OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE REGION TAZA-AL HOCEIMA-TAOUNATE SYNTHESIS REPORT FOR DECISION MAKERS
In terms of transportation, the region is inter- prospects as they are set by national policies are connected by a road network of 3 689 km and has a taken into consideration (starting from the current vehicle fleet of 40 427 (2007). It is also connected by situation). The goals set by these policies are a railway network through the provinces of Taza and supposed to be achieved on projected dates. Guercif. It houses two ports (Al-Hoceima and Cala In such case, economic activities continue to grow, Iriss) and an international airport (El Idrissi Echarif) increase in infrastructures, agricultural productivity with an area of 18 000 m2 and an annual capacity of and industrial activity. The dynamic regional economy 300 000 travelers. attracts incoming investors, and jobs opportunities Transport activities generate pressures mainly in help the people improve their income and encourage terms of air emissions, danger of accidental pollution change their lifestyle. and changes in beach morphology due to road and The Trend Scenario preserves the existing situation infrastructure developments. and elaborates on it by integrating the objectives set. Regarding the energy sector, the Region has two This scenario that does not add any parameter to hydroelectric plants in the dams of Idris1st and Al the reality, it respects the objectives of the operating Wahda producing an average of nearly 520 GWh/ policies. year, or 19% of national hydropower production. Environmental trends in the region have been developed within the framework of the «Trend Scenario». In this scenario, the development
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3. MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL PRESSURES IN THE REGION
The study has also allowed us to identify the criteria: sensitivity, occurrence or power and the pressures on the environmental media whether degree of importance of pressure. direct or indirect. In order to establish priority actions The prioritization of pressure will result in a and identify the pressures that have a strong impact classification based on its harmfulness, that is on the environment, a methodology was adopted to say, depending on the severity of its negative to classify and measure the impact of each of these environmental impact. pressures on all environmental media. The outcome of this process was able to identify Through the decision-making matrix or prioritization two major groups of pressure on all environmental matrix, all the environmental pressures have been compartments (they were ordered from most to least compared by coupling and decoupling. Each of these important) : pressures was analyzed according to the following
Table 1 Direct and indirect factors that press the environment of the region
DIRECT FACTORS INDIRECT FACTORS
• pollution by disposal of household wastewater; • Over-exploitation of fish stocks; • Population’s lifestyle changing; • disposal of solid waste; • Lack of coordination between different actors in decision making; • Deforestation (Overgrazing, fires, land clearing); • Poverty; • Pollution from the mining industry; • Lack of awareness and education; • Soil erosion; • Weakness and insufficiency of equipment and • Pollution generated by oil mills; basic infrastructure; • proliferation of substandard housing; • Rural exodus; • Overuse of silvopastoral resources; • Weak Institutional Framework. • Risk of flooding.
The extent of these problems at the regional level is In order to upgrade the environmental situation closely related to the evolution of some indicators in the region, a set of guidelines and actions related to political, economic, social and governance for the protection, preservation and sustainable aspects that were collected in group 2. In fact, the lack management of resources must be planned of monitoring and control, insufficient coordination according to the development of different socio- in of the different stakeholders’ decision-making economic, strategic and political determinants. processes particularly in the environmental aspect, and lack of awareness make of the environmental issues a real challenge in the region.
STATUS AND FUTURE OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE REGION TAZA-AL HOCEIMA-TAOUNATE SYNTHESIS REPORT FOR DECISION MAKERS
4. ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENTS OF THE REGION: CONDITIONS AND TRENDS
4.1. Water: an abundant resource but threatened
Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate region is among impermeability amplifies the intensity of runoff and the wettest regions of the Kingdom. Overall, the limits water infiltration into the soil. Therefore, the average annual rainfall is about 440 mm and ground water has limited water supplies. increases with altitude. The potential surface water is consistent with the topographical, geological and climatic characteristics of the region. However, land
Map 3 Water ressources in the region
In terms of surface resources, they are indicated by and Nekkor). These wadis form the Mediterranean the major wadis (Ouargha, Inaouen, Moulouya Ghiss coastal basin, the Sebou Basin and Moulouya Basin.
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Table 2 Average annual intakes of water catchment TAT Region
WATERSHED AVERAGE ANNUAL INTAKE Mm3
Mediterranean coastal basin 3605 Sebou Basin 2355 Moulouya Basin 28 Total 5988
Concerning the underground resources, they are Water resources in the Region are regulated by Al composed of four main hydrogeological units Wahda, Idriss 1st, Asfalou, Sahla, Bouhouda, Bab which are the Ghiss Nekkor groundwater, the Taza Louta, Ben Abdelkrim El Khattabi Med and Joumoua groundwater, the Fes-Taza corridor groundwater dams. These dams have a total storage capacity of and the Guercif basin groundwater. Most of these 5321,4 million m3, or more than 36% of the national groundwater tables show a positive record with the storage capacity. exception of the Taza groundwater which shows a The total water stockstored in dames has reached negative record. It has the potential of 12.8 million m3. 4130 million m3 recorded in early January 2010, and The total output is about 19.4 million m3/year. This corresponds to a capacity rate of 77.6% and then overexploitation creates a deficit of 6.6 million m3/ decreased to 3266.3 Mm3 in the beginning of 2015. year.
Table 3 Existing Hydraulic Infrastructure of Taza Al Hoceima – Taounate region
Normal Commis- Stock Filling Dam Wadi/river Capacity in Purpose sioning (in Mm3) (in %) Mm3 Al wahda Ouergha 1996 3712,1 2204,5 59,4 E, I ldriss 1st Innaouène 1973 1129,6 683,9 60,5 E, I Asfalou Asfalou 1999 307,1 228,4 74,4 AEP, I Sahla Sahla 1994 62,0 59,9 96,5 I, AEPI Bouhouda Sra 1998 55,0 55 100 AEPI, I BabLouta Bousbaa 1999 34,5 25,8 74,7 AEP Abdelkrim El khattabi Nekkor 1981 16 4,8 29,9 AEPI, I Joumouaa Joumouaa 1992 5,05 3,95 78,3 AEPI Total regions 8 - 5321,4 3266,3 61,4 -
Source : Ministry Delegate in charge of Water, 01/01/2015
This potential is exposed to several sources of The agricultural sector mobilizes 215 million m3 pressures that are of natural and anthropogenic of water per year for irrigation, 90% in gravity- order. These pressures generate irreversible damage fed irrigation, 8% in drip irrigation and 2% in spray to water in terms of quantity and quality. irrigation. In terms of quantity of lost water, there are several In addition to agriculture, human pressures on water sources of pressures in Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate resources in the TAT region are getting stronger. Region.
STATUS AND FUTURE OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE REGION TAZA-AL HOCEIMA-TAOUNATE SYNTHESIS REPORT FOR DECISION MAKERS
Faced with the population growth and urbanization increasing. In the Region, the Drinking Water Supply recorded in the Region, the rate increased from (DWS) is estimated at 38 million m3/year, with a 8.6% in 1971 to 28.9% in 2014, new urban centers higher consumption recorded in the province of are emerging. Meanwhile, substandard housing is Taza (19.6 million m3), followed by Taounate. Water proliferating while some urban areas are expanding. demand is expected to increase by 50% by 2030. Therefore, drinking water consumption is also
Figure 1 Trends in drinking water demand in the region by 2030
(Mm3)
60 57 50 47,5
40 38
30
20
10
0
2010 2020 2030
In terms of water quality in the region, the uncontrolled The volume of domestic waste water discharged by urbanization is the factor number one that contributes large cities in the Region is over 11 million m3/year. significantly to water pollution. In fact, the expansion 78% of wastewater is discharged directly into the of urban areas and the emergence of new urban wadis. This waste water discharge is expected to rise centers are not managed by any urban planning that to 24.6 million m3 by 2030. would provide for the establishment of sanitation.
Figure 2 Evolution of domestic waste in the RTAT
24631 20111 16421 13407 4215 10947 3442 2810 1873 2294
2010 2015 2020 2025 2030
Population (Thousand) Trends in liquid discharges (1000m3/year)
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The provinces that will be experiencing this increase An addition to these human pressures on water in production of domestic sewage are in decreasing resources, climate change also add another pressure order: the province of Taza, province of Al Hoceima, manifested in the significant decrease of rain fall, the province of Guercif and at the last position comes combined with increased evaporation due to higher the province of Taounate. temperatures. In 2004, the urban environment showed that 76% Finally, floods, frequent in Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate of households had a public network for wastewater region, also pose a risk to water quality. treatment. However only 1.5% of rural households To these human pressures adds other natural are connected to the public network and others use pressures related to climate change which the most other sanitation methods, mainly the use of septic significant event is the decrease of total precipitates tanks (32.6%) and wells/cesspools (32.6%). On the rain, combined with increased evaporation due to light of this situation and in the absence of any action, higher temperatures. the water quality of receiving waters which is mainly composed of wadis and dams will deteriorate, hence, Finally, floods, frequent in Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate causing negative health and environmental impacts. region, are also a risk factor threatening water quality. Scientists estimate that a severe storm pollutes Surface water resources that are mostly to be 10 to 50 times more than discharges of a wastewater threatened by domestic pollution generated by treatment plant and that rain falls are responsible the small centers of Al Hoceima are: NekkorWadi, for 50% of the pollution discharged into rivers and LaachireneWadi, TarmastWadi, Imassinene Wadi beaches in urban areas, due to the impurity load and El JoumoaaWadi as well as Abdelkrim El contained in these rainfalls. Khattabi dam downstream of the center of Mnoud. Concerning groundwater, the groundwater table of Despite the several sources of water pollution, the Ghiss-Nekkor is the main vulnerable resource to this quality of surface waters remains generally good type of pollution. (67% of the monitoring stations show good water quality), except in wadis of M’soum and Melloulou Discharges in the olive growing activity were and on level of the Middle section of Wadi Rhiss. estimated at about 202 m3/d, or about 12 000 m3 / campaign of 60 days. This rate is approximately As far as groundwater is concerned, the situation is equivalent to the annual domestic organic pollution generally mediocre with only 23% of measuring points generated by a city of 80 000 inhabitants. These that are of good quality, 46% average quality and 31% releases are either decanted in earthen ponds degraded quality. The parameters responsible for (ground) or discharged directly, without any prior this degradation are the high level in nitrate (Rhiss treatment, in the receiving environment (soil, river or Nekkor groundwater table) and water mineralization chaaba). (slightly in Guercif groundwater table). One feature of this industry is that the pressures The pollution of water resources impacts people’s generated by the “Maasra” units of pressing olives’ health especially when such water is destined for margins are concentrated in a relatively small space water supply. Although the rate of waterborne including Taddart Houara and Ras El Ksar within the diseases recorded downward trends following the circle of Guercif and Gzenaya Janoubia (the Aknoul efforts of the state to expand access to drinking water circle). and sanitation, the risk of these diseases breaking out still persists. Concerning agriculture, its contribution to water pollution remains low in relation to the weak The degradation of water quality can also be the development of irrigated agriculture which occupies source of some economic issues related to the only 6% of the regional useful agriculture area. In this overhead costs of water resources treatment and regard, it is important to remember that the reforms downstream from the discharge points for supply or and projects considered in the framework of regional irrigation uses. versions of the Green Morocco Plan are designed to promote certain agricultural products in the region which will lead, if the environmental component is not considered at its fair value, to additional deterioration of water quality.
STATUS AND FUTURE OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE REGION TAZA-AL HOCEIMA-TAOUNATE SYNTHESIS REPORT FOR DECISION MAKERS
4.2. SOIL: bare soil exposed to intense water erosion At the Al Hoceima-Taza-Taounate region, the soil western part, the Ouergha basin shows an average undergoes continuous pressure due to several soil loss estimate of 2070 T/km²/year and causes factors including: a sediment transport estimated at 4 500 T/km²/ year. By applying that rate of erosion on the Western • The lithological characteristics of the land which is Rif while taking into account the assumption that composed mainly of marl, schists and flysch, soft erosion is done homogeneously over the entire and impermeable rocks easily eroded; basin, we obtain a theoretical net loss of a uniform • The distribution of 67% of Western Rif land on film of about 1.5 mm on the entire watershed. If this slopes of more than 25%; situation persists over time it can lead to a halving of soil fertility in the period of 25 years. • The scarcity of arable land which leads farmers to This erosion will cause a relatively rapid silting of overuse soil resources; dams’ reservoirs given the high rate of specific • The scarcity of resources in populated mountains degradation experienced by some watersheds. Thus, leading to a more intense land use. the total rate of siltation of major dams in the Region, Mohammed V dam and El Wahda dam, will amount In fact, water erosion is the main factor of soil to 142,5 T/ha and 595 T/ha respectively which degradation in the region. Its impact increases corresponds to a theoretical loss of nearly 495 mm3 going from south to north of the Region. In the over 25 years, a loss of 19.8 million m3/year.
Table 4 Risk of erosion in watersheds
Average annual Specific watershed Contribution Priority Area Water shed siltation dam Degradation to siltation of dam (ha) (Mm3/year) (T/ha/year) (Mm3/year) Msoun /Mohammed 10 5,70 84 517 1,3 V dam 23,8 (with a gap Ouergha/El Wahda - 72 759 18,5 of 20 à 35) BabLouta/BabLouta 94 10 4 939 -
Source : General VBA programs TAT Region 2014-2030
This water erosion causes different forms of injury In addition to the destruction agricultural parcels, in the Region, particularly in terms of agricultural water erosion and soil loss can cause damage to parcels, resulting in the destruction of seedlings, homes, roads and bridges. Downstream, surface decline of harvest yields, and overload in terms of water can be damaged through the accumulation hours of work for the farmer. of sediments and be contaminated by fertilizers, pesticides and other types of micro pollutants In the long term, a loss of productivity can occur due associated with these sediments. These substances to the deterioration of the physical, chemical and can be the cause of eutrophication. biological properties of the soil.
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The soils of Taza Al Hoceima Taounate region suffer • Quarries: the concentration of more than half of at some places other forms of degradation such as these quarries near agricultural lands with high pollution from human activities. Soils that are most agricultural value soils seems to be the reason affected by pollution are those located close to: of these agricultural lands’ impoverishment and degradation. Similarly, after their exploitation, • Uncontrolled landfills: they generate irreversible quarries are often abandoned without any soil contamination by waste and leachate; rehabilitation, and they leave behind cavities and polluted soils by discharges, waste oils, scrap, • Agro industrial units such as oil mills, slaughte- waste rock, etc. rhouses, which generate large amounts of untrea- ted waste emitted directly into the ground or in Other forms of soil degradation are linked to urban leaky accumulation basins a by promoting their sprawl, especially Guercif and Taza cities, where the infiltration into the underground; encroachment on agricultural land causes significant loss in soil and land for agricultural use.
Table 5 List of (BESI)
Provinces AL HOCEIMA TAOUNATE TAZA Tazekka National Park AzrouAkechar
Al Hoceima National JbelLallaOutka JbelOuarirt BESI Park AïnBou Adel Bou Iblane KoudiatTidighine Idriss 1st Dam Bouzemmou Bou Naceur Mohammed V Dam
Because of the variety of factors affecting the With the current pace of development, some BESIs biodiversity of BESI and due to the lack of indicators in TATR will experience over the next twenty years providing a clear and quantifiable evaluation on this the same problems, due to the urban expansion, degradation and its impact on the future natural industrialization and tourism development. Which resources, we will merely mention the main activities would cause a phenomenon of imbalance for many responsible for natural habitat loss and threatening animal and plant species, sometimes endemic or several plant and animal species. These factors threatened (2.5% of the fauna and flora of 23% are include the following threatened with extinction at the national level).
• Silvo-pastoral; Furthermore, these disturbances will generate additional costs of restoration required to restore • Fuel wood collection; the environment to its original state and provide individuals with a level of well-being equivalent to • Poaching; that provided prior to the alteration of the ecosystem. • Impact of tourism; However, biodiversity preservation actions remain sporadic and insufficient. Currently, ongoing • Development of urbanization; preservation activities are mainly focused on • Fires.
STATUS AND FUTURE OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE REGION TAZA-AL HOCEIMA-TAOUNATE SYNTHESIS REPORT FOR DECISION MAKERS
reducing the consumption of natural resources Rif forest is currently experiencing a continuous without addressing the fundamental problems deforestation resulting from such practices as related to poverty, isolation, and the depletion of extensive pastoral farming, the cultivation of hemp, natural resources. In addition, some sites of biological firewood cutting and overgrazing, thereby generating and ecological interest of the area are not subject to an imbalance in the dynamics of forest stands. any particular supervision. In fact, overgrazing causes the loss of vegetation cover, exposing large areas of soil to erosive effects At the province of Taza, the Tazekka National Park is resulting from rainfall and runoff. It has been shown home to quite a few endemic plant and animal species that the vegetation density goes from initialrecovery and endangered rare species as well. It is therefore state of 33% to 30, 28, 25, 21 and 19%, respectively moderately significant compared to other sites in for the stocking rates of animals of 1, 2, 4, 8 and Morocco. However, the ecological and socioeconomic 12 ewes/ha/year. In the region, the stocking levels challenge is huge, since the main objective is not to per hectare are 3-5 times higher than normal, which protect endangered species, but rather to maintain causes degradation of about 38% in eastern pastoral the variety and diversity of forest ecosystems, and areas and degradation of 36% in the Rif’s sylvo- to ensure more rational management of natural pastoral area. resources by user populations. Eventually, the risk will be to avoid the level of threat of the Tazekka Certain sensitive areas are increasingly threatened National Park becoming the «second Rif», as a result bythese pressures. In fact, in the absence of any of loss of vegetation cover and concomitant soil delineation of the forest areas, certain practices and erosion. But the threat increases year upon year, as activities remain uncontrolled: quarries, urbanization, illustrated by the northern foothills of the heavily tourism and agriculture, etc. Thus, for an improved deforested mountains. security of the forest area,since 2008, the Regional Directorate of Water and Forests and the Fight against However, the Al Hoceima National Park (AHNP) is Desertification has launched forest delineation a protected area which is a sample of pristine and program which covered 7078, 8 ha. preserved biodiversity in the Mediterranean Basin. Since its cliffs are home to Osprey populations that The forest area of the Region should be protected are best preserved in the world and given its rich to ensure its preservation. This policy involves marine area which houses an exceptional flora and overcoming a number of legislative hurdles and fauna seabed and clean, clear waters. The issue of challenges to ensure the sustainability of resources, biodiversity in the AHNP is its conservation and goods and services that it provides to current and safeguarding. The challenge is also related to the future generations. interest granted to the social aspect through targeted eco-development projects with local people to make their positive impact on the resources of the AHNP.
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Map 4 Forest formations of Taza Al Hoceima Taounate Region
4.3. COASTLINE : an enclosed area exposed to pollution, uncontrolled urbanization, and overexploited fisheries resources.
Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate is characterized by the The Northwest part of the coastline has remained diversity and richness of its natural environment. relatively pristine and enclosed between the physical Its long Mediterranean coastline of 120 km is barriers of the Rif and the Mediterranean Sea. one of the main components of this natural However, an early stage of Coastal “durcification” wealth. Economically, the coast offers significant process is demonstrated. It is manifested by the opportunities for the development of tourism and construction of the Mediterranean bypassand fishing. Yet, it is exposed to huge pressures which the implementation of tourism development should be taken into consideration. projects such as the tourist area of Cala Iris in the rural commune of BeniBoufrah, characterized by The coastline is composed of two subsets that arethe an accommodation capacity that reaches 10 000 Northwest part and the Northeast part of the coast beds spread over 340 hectares. In parallel with this of Al Hoceima province experiencing two different tourism project, the Tourism Development Plan of developments:
STATUS AND FUTURE OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE REGION TAZA-AL HOCEIMA-TAOUNATE SYNTHESIS REPORT FOR DECISION MAKERS
Al Hoceima Province provides for the promotion of 1.7 in 24 years (between 1984 and 2004). This and revitalization of the province economically and demographic context leads the Region to a process socially by implementing a program that focuses on of coastal development that characterizes the city three areas: development of urban centers, building of Al Hoceima, a small local capital of the Province, roads and strengthening the tourism capacity. and causes the formation of several subsets mainly in the valley of Nekkor. Thus, the rate of coastal The Northeast coast part of the coastline forms development in the Province of Al Hoceima went the urban framework of the Province by the from 63% in 1960 to 79.5% in 1994. The statistics predominance of the urban center of Al Hoceima describing the evolution of densification in the rural linked to a group of urban centers located along the coastal communes in that Province show an increase major highways and is located on the coastal plain between 1960 and 2004, from 59 inhabitants/ of Al Hoceima. This part is experiencing increasing Km2 to 115 inhabitants/Km2. The consequences of urbanization giving rise to a coastal development this phenomenon of coastal durcification on the which has been extending since the 1960s. This environment are so numerous and diverse. urbanization has resulted mainly in two types of pressures on natural resources in the coastal zone, At this rate and based on sectoral action plans for namely the degradation of soil resources and economic development, especially tourism, the biodiversity and water resources pollution as a result population will move increasingly in the coastal zone, of the lack of liquid sanitation networks in particular thereby causing an increase in density. As shown in those intended to cover the needs of the emerging the figure below, upon the assumption of an upward centers. trend (1960 and 2004) of coastal development rate continuing at the same rate, it will reach 96.78% by In fact, this region has been growing since the 1960s 2030. under the pressure of a sustained population growth. The population of TAT Region increased by a factor
Figure 3 Trends in the evolution of coastal development rate
180 160 140 120 96,78 100 92 84 76,1 79,5 80 71 63,2 60 40 20 0 1960 1971 1982 1994 2004 2020 2030
Trends in coastal development Density Population (thousands)
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Coastal roadwork projects are often followed by The projection based on the annual average gradual coastal durcification and beach erosion. weight in tons of inshore and non-industrial fishing In the Mediterranean coast, the construction of the products from the period 2001-2013to be reached Mediterranean bypass has caused many clearings in 2033 is alarming. The linear trend over the period and soil disturbance across the coastal line which 2001-2013 shows a very significant decrease in led to the loss of vegetation cover and landslides, fishing production reflecting the overexploitation increasing solid deposit transport through rivers that of fisheries resources. According to the linear trend flow into coastal areas. Hence, resulting in turbidity line, this decrease can be estimated at -285.65 ton that disturbs the balance of algal cover as well as of per years. If this trend continues in the future, the the endogenic sessile fauna. production of coastal fisheries will decline further and will reach only a tonnage of 4000 tons per year The absence of liquid sewage network and water by 2033. treatment is a result of unplanned densification of the coastline. Household wastewater coming from both In light of the continuous degradation of coastal and small urban centers of the province of Al Hoceima marine environment, and in the absence of specific and the rural municipalities located on the coast is legislation that is applicableto safeguard this natural discharged directly into the sea (19% of domestic heritage, a draft law has been prepared to address waste water), with the risk of beach contamination, this issue. It is the bill on coastal development and colonization and expansion of species indicator protection. of pollution, eutrophication to the detriment of local species, thus the risk of commercial species contamination that can lead to health problems. 4.4. NATURAL RISKS : a real threat and origin to As of the wastewater discharged by industrial diverse natural hazards units which consists mainly of chemical and food Given the geographical location of the region, its processing units, especially oil mills, are highly climatic characteristics, its geological composition, polluted (heavy metals, detergents, pesticides, and its environment is exposed to several natural vegetable water, etc.). Without any pretreatment hazards including earthquake risks, floods, landslides systems in these industries such industrial water is and tsunamis. discharged carelessly into the sewer systems or in Seismic risks:the province of Al Hoceima is the most the wadis flowing into the sea. The annual industrial exposed to seismic risk because of its geographical pollution load in this area, case of study, is evaluated position. In fact, it is located in a seismic instability at 4072 tons/year of BOD 5. area characterized by the recurrence of several Fishing is also a source of pollution in ports. In Al earthquakes that have marked deep structural Hoceima, port waters situated in downstream of changes and geomorphological geological watersheds are the natural receptacle of external formations in the Rif area in general. The most recent pollution. In addition to fishing the following are other earthquake that has the Region has witnessed is sources of pollution: that of 2004, resulting in 628 fatalities and over 926 injured. It caused considerable damages especially - Leaks in the chemical storage areas; in rural areas where most adobe buildings were - Spills in hydrocarbon handling; destroyed. In urban areas, cities were most damaged are Imzouren, Ajdir, Beni Bouayach and Al Hoceima, - Sinking of ships at berth especially Imzouren where several buildings - Illegal dumping completely collapsed. Fishing is a double-edged pressure. In addition to The seismic risk in the Province of Al Hoceima is its contribution to the pollution of the marine and further compounded by the intervention of some coastal environment, it causes a major problem to human factors such as non-respecting Para-seismic biodiversity in the TAT Region, which is of overfishing. safety system urban sprawl, which promotes The pressure generated by fishing is concentrated population concentration in some areas. Among the in the two ports and results in a net decrease in factors that increases the risk of earthquakes, the volumes fished. It went from 33955 tons in 2005 to adobe nature of building constructions in the villages, 16 673 tons in 2013. buildings along river banks where the seismic risk can
STATUS AND FUTURE OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE REGION TAZA-AL HOCEIMA-TAOUNATE SYNTHESIS REPORT FOR DECISION MAKERS
be coupled with the risk of flooding, the dispersion of destruction of infrastructure in the sliding trajectory homesteads in rural areas and finally, the isolation of (water supply system, hospitals, health centers, the Province which may delay the arrival of help. and communication and power lines), and loss of valuables and destruction of homes. Floods: are among the most frequent natural hazards in Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate region. Regarding the economic loss related to the They are sometimes compounded by urban sprawl phenomenon of mass movement, it includes both taking place in cities and their peripheries. In fact, direct and indirect costs: the first involves repair costs, the river flood plains, which were formerly protected property and damaged facilities replacement or and no-building areas, have become increasingly maintenance, while Indirect costs include decreased coveted. This utilization of the river floodplains productivity, reducing property values, loss of tax modifies the hydraulic flow conditions and flood revenues and other economic indirect impacts. water transit. It also generates floodwaters overflow Tsunami is a potential risk to the region due to its and consequently favors the occurrence of floods. geographical position. The area between Gibraltar The collective memory retains the flooding in 1995 and Azores is known for its seismic activity. An of the city of Taza, that of Taounate in 2000 and earthquake off the coast could eventually generate Al Hoceima catastrophic events in 2003, and more a tsunami that would hit all countries overlooking the recently those of 2009/2010. In addition to the Atlantic Ocean. human and material damages, floods cause supply and public services access problems to the nearby In order to reduce the increased risks of natural hazards centers, communes and douars because of certain that are likely to hit the region, many strategies and road failure. action plans were introduced including : Landslides: the areas that exposed to landslides • The seismic building regulations approved by include the Pre Rifain corridor, the hills of Pre Rif and Decree No. 2-02-177 of 22-02-2002; the Rif Mountains. This risk is related to several factors such as rainfall patterns (frequency of torrential rain), • The National Plan for Prevention and Flood the nature of the terrain with predominantly steep Protection (NPPFP); and long slopes, soil vulnerability and geological substrate (waterproof and easily alterable soft rock), • A strategy and an action plan which includes The precariousness of the plant cover, but above measures focused on one side help prevent all the strong demographic pressure on resources, impacts of landslides on soil resources, and on outdated farming techniques and practices (slash the other, the protection of hydraulic structures and burn agriculture and cultivation on slopes...) against siltation. and traditional breeding. A landslide can cause a lot of deaths and injuries as well as suffocation. It can also cause huge material damage, such as the
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5. FUTURE PROSPECTS
The Action Plan of the area is developed in accordance The action plan was developed in the framework of the with environmental and socio-economic actions «Sustainable Environment» scenario. In this scenario, under the territorial policies, especially the actions the failures in the «Trend scenario” are corrected in related to water resources, agriculture, tourism, and order to achieve a symbiosis between the policies fisheries. This plan is also guided by the actions of environmental protection and socio-economic outlined in the strategy to fight against poverty, development that will ensure the sustainability especially as regards to the priority intervention for of natural environment by 2030 This proactive rural development in the fight against substandard scenario is participatory, with the involvement of all housing, drinking water supply and liquid sanitation. stakeholders in the region. In the light of the environmental concerns and building To do so, seven areas for improvement were agreed upon the lessons learned in case of maintaining the on during the various dialogue sessions held at present trends, this action plan is proactive, to meet the regional level with all local stakeholders and the national vision supported by the National Charter members of the network OREDD. All of these areas for Environment and Sustainable Development and aim at addressing environmental issues, improving the Millennium Development Goals and to build a the living conditions of the people and initiating sustainable protection system for the Environment . the process of integrating proactive environmental initiatives in the territorial and sectoral planning.
PART 1 : Action against land degradation;
PART 2 : Safeguarding biodiversity;
PART 3 : Integrated Water Resources Management;
PART 4 : Integrated coastal zone management of Al Hoceima Province;
PART 5 : Upgrading major natural hazards;
PART 6 : Upgrading environmental sectors;
PART 7 : Managing air pollution.
STATUS AND FUTURE OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE REGION TAZA-AL HOCEIMA-TAOUNATE SYNTHESIS REPORT FOR DECISION MAKERS
PART 1 Action against land degradation
Objective 1 Strengthening actions against land degradation for integrated management
× Strengthening activities against hydric soil erosion through : • Organic enrichment of degraded lands; • Reforestation of degraded lands; • Irrigation structures’ use to control water runoff; • Construction of small dams or reservoirs to control rain impacts.
× Adopting non- destructive methods soil use, including : • Promoting appropriate technologies in an integrated management of soil fertility that respects the environment; • Maintaining fertile soils and preserving good agricultural land through good farming practice (direct seeding/zero till techniques, ...); • Implementing agro-forestry projects.
× Damaged soil remediation (dumps, quarries ...);
× Controlling building zones and prohibiting any constructions on productive lands;
× Controlling socio-economic activities impacts on soil, through: • Conducting studies on mining and quarries impacts on soil; • Conducting studies on forest exploitation impacts on soil; • Conducting studies on farming effects on soil;
× The establishment of an entity responsible for monitoring and controlling soil conditions, which will allow the coordination of public policies concerning this component; • The establishment of monitoring and assessment measures of land degradation effects for the purpose of mitigating them.
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Objective 2 Enhancing scientific understanding about soils in the Region
× Updating and digitalization soil data of the entire territory of the Region, such as erosion risks maps, soil fertility maps ...;
× Conducting scientific research and development tests for monitoring and evaluating of soil behavior vis- à-vis the structures and facilities installed to fight against erosion and techniques adopted to improve the fertilization of agricultural lands.
Objective 3 Improving the legal and institutional framework for sustainable land management
× Institutional framework improvement for a better effectiveness of actions to be undertaken;
× Creating a favorable legislative and regulatory environment for a global policy of land management.
Objective 4 Develop a communication strategy and enhance public awareness on sustainable land management
× Organize regular workshops and awareness on the importance of soil protection.
PART 2 Safeguarding biodiversity
Objective 1 Define the strategic areas and implement sustainable biodiversity management programs
× Conducting scientific studies to make the goal very visible among decision makers and establish clear management plans;
× Updating of development and management plans of protected areas in the Region;
× Identifying priority thematic areas of intervention for every park and forest;
× Integrating of environmental objectives at the heart of strategies and programs established for park and forest management;
× Establishing monitoring and assessment systems for biodiversity which will assess the environmental impact of policies geared in parks of the region;
× Reinforcing the capacity of field and control teams;
× Improving governance at all levels: national and regional administrations, parks, projects;
× Accompaniment, technical assistance and transfers of expertise to reinforce the capacity and autonomy of the Region’s park teams in project management;
× Strengthening regional parks networks at national and international level, through the exchange of information, experience sharing and communication.
STATUS AND FUTURE OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE REGION TAZA-AL HOCEIMA-TAOUNATE SYNTHESIS REPORT FOR DECISION MAKERS
Objective 2 Invigorate preservation and rehabilitation actions of natural species and habitats
× Introducing or reintroducing flora and fauna species in parks;
× Momentary prohibition of grazing in degraded areas to allow vegetation to recover naturally;
× Establishing a participatory approach by involving the population in the actions taken by the authorities which will allow better management of forest resources and biodiversity (respect of protected areas,);
× Strengthening combating deforestation and forest degradation actions;
× Establishing a monitoring plan to fight against illegal fishing and hunting;
× Reforestation and management of burned forests.
Objective 3 Strengthening and sustaining environmental awareness actions for the protection of natural parks and forests
× Elaborating educational and awareness workshops for the benefit of people living in or near the communes hosting parks and forests.
× Establishing an environmental education program that includes : • Display of visiting circuits and informational and educational panels; • Realization of educational media (website, brochures, leaflets, posters, video, ...); • Organizing roundtable discussions at municipal and local level; • Compilation of media usage guides; • Training for nature activity leaders; • Setting up an animation program.
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Objective 4 Opting for a sustainable socio-economic development leading to protection of regional biodiversity and improving income
× Developing and supervising of eco-tourism activities in parks without disturbing the ecological wealth and balances, and generating additional income for residents with less environmental impact : • Diversify tourism products and tours; • Establishing community-based home-stay accommodations and developing of local products; • Planning panoramic views, shelter observation of animal species, trails to access to these shelters, hiking trails and provide road markings and signs; • Assigning labels to certain natural areas will be an incentive form of tourism ecologically compatible.
× Promoting organic farming ;
× Developing beekeeping ;
× Contributing to the development of fruit growing in the mountains ;
× Promoting fair trade that will ensure the population a decent income and decent working conditions ;
× Promoting local crafts and developing local products.
PART 3 Integrated Water Resources Management
Objective 1 Rational use of water resources
× Optimization of samples (agriculture, tourism and industrial);
× Reducing wastage from irrigation networks and by fixing water leaks;
× Accelerate the generalization of localized irrigation system to make up for the delays (23%);
× Reduce water loss in drinking-water systems in urban centers and improve the output of the drinking and irrigation water distribution networks;
× Control private pumping mainly at the falling water tables namely : • Guercif water table (Jel, Tafrata, Maarouf and Sangal); • Taza water table .
× The introduction of water table contract program for Taza and Guercif.
STATUS AND FUTURE OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE REGION TAZA-AL HOCEIMA-TAOUNATE SYNTHESIS REPORT FOR DECISION MAKERS
Objective 2 anticipating the consequences of global warming and exploring potential solutions to tackle water scarcity in the future
× Implementing a master plan for reusing unconventional waters (purified waste water, storm water, water desalination, etc.);
× Conducting an environmental assessment of non-conventional water reuse projects;
× Development of water conservation facilities such as dams and rehabilitation of degraded ones to allow storage of a larger volume of water to be used during dry periods including dams of Abdel Ali, Mesouda, AinTija, Zrigat, RasB el Firane where siltation rates exceeds 80%.
Objective 3 Managing various pollution sources
× Promoting sustainable regional agriculture with reduced use of chemical inputs especially in irrigated areas of Al Hoceima and Guercif provinces where aquifers are threatened by nitrate pollution. It is in this case Nekkor-Ghiss and Guercif ;
× Accountability of industrial pollution producers mainly emanating from pressing olives sector ;
× Implementing a vegetable water treatment master plan;
× Up grading old olive crushing units;
× Set up collective or individual of vegetable water treatment systems.
Objective 4 Improve water resources status awareness
× Strengthening water resources monitoring and measurement networks;
× Updating the list of pollution sources;
× Identifying quality objectives by water table and wadi section according to their self-purifying properties.
Objective 5 Further mobilization of financial, legal and institutional mechanisms enabling water re- sources preservation
× Mobilizing funds for reducing pollution;
× Implementation of the «polluter pays» principle;
× Strengthening the role of environmental police;
× Implementation and strengthening water resources legal framework;
× Raising awareness.
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PART 4 Integrated coastal zone management of Al Hoceima Province
Objective 1 Protect the different coastal ecosystems in the Region
× Tala Youssef and Boumhdi coastal watersheds management;
× Restoring degraded ecosystems in wetlands including Souani and the mouths of Ghiss and Nekkor rivers;
× Establishment of coastal monitoring and control system especially in Souani Sfiha, alaT Youssef and Sabadia Beach;
× Reducing coastal erosion impacts through strict enforcement of the rules on fraudulent and abusive beach sand extraction;
× Developing sensitivity maps for Al Hoceima coastal area;
× Establishing good governance tools in the coastal zone aiming at a sustainable development of its natural resources;
× Rehabilitation and protection of coastal areas subject to degradation (littoral, soil, forests, natural parks, fisheries and water resources).
Objective 2 Mastering urbanization and preserve the coastline against any form of degradation
× Guiding urban expansion of the city of Al Hoceima and coastal centers outside the coastal zone;
× Speeding up the approval procedure of urban plans including the Coastal development master plan;
× An environmental impact assessment should be conducted for the provision of adequate construction projects on the coast;
× Implementing a monitoring and evaluation program of constructed infrastructure impacts.
Objective 3 Improving bathing waters quality and combating marine pollution
× Reducing polluting catchment basin out flow and the large watershed (domestic, agricultural, industrial pollution ...);
× Reducing of disturbances on marine waters resulting from fishing activities.
STATUS AND FUTURE OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE REGION TAZA-AL HOCEIMA-TAOUNATE SYNTHESIS REPORT FOR DECISION MAKERS
Objective 4 Preserving and restoring the balance of fishery resources
× Strengthening and monitoring biological indicators for improved management of the fishery resource;
× Increasing controls related to the conservation and sustainable management of fishery resources (respecting reproduction periods, prohibiting the use of trawling near the coast, nets with drift, explosives, poaching, toxic products, ...) to ensure sustainable exploitation and long-term sustainability of the fisheries sector;
× Development of a long-term strategy for coastal fisheries management of Al Hoceima province;
× Adopt technical measures to promote more selective fishing the impact of which is lower on marine ecosystems and non-target species.
PART 5 Upgrading major natural hazards
Objective 1 Reinforcing flood control actions
× Completion of the provincial master plans by 2016; - BeniGmil, Mestsa, BeniBoufrah, Ibehyaten, Agni, Snada, BeniBouayach, Mnoud, Espalamdéro, CalabonitaMirradorArbaTaourirt, Cala Iris Torres, Rhiss, Eberloken, Nekor, Imzouren, Ketama, SebtJoumoua, Badesin the Province of Al Hoceima; - Taza, Tahla, OuedAmlil, Bab Marzouka, Traiba, SebtBoukllal, Kawane, DouarTouilBoured, Aknoul, TiziOusli, Sidi Ali Bourakba in the province of Taza; - Tissa, AinAicha, Outa Bouaabane, Thar Souk, Fennassa in the province of Taounate; - Guercif, TaddartLamrija, Mezguitem in the province of Guercif.
× Development and consolidation of water flows (correction, redirecting and maintenance of waterways, increase of water flow capacity and developing flood retention reservoirs): - Nekkor, Guiss, BeniBoufrah El Kebir in the province of Al Hoceima; - Ouergaz, Larbaa, Anemeli, Larouieg, Innaouen, Aghrouz, Tamjount, Boured in the province of Taza; - Ouergha, Amassine El Kasba in the province of Taounate.
× Improving forecasting and warning systems (spatial and terrestrial);
× Establishing emergency plans at provincial and municipal level, in case of failure in the preventive and corrective measures.
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Objective 2 Earthquake risk prevention
× Increase awareness on seismic risks on the regional level : • Prepare a regional seismic risk prevention plan; • Conduct studies and prevention plans in the most vulnerable communes including those laying on earthquake belts. (Ajdir, Nekkor, Rouadi, ...); • Establishing of a crisis management plan; • Elaborating a diagnostic for existing buildings and infrastructure.
× Reducing buildings vulnerability by implementing earthquake-resistant regulations and reinforcing existing buildings program : • Public awareness on seismic risks; • Training of professionals in earthquake-resistant construction.
Objective 3 Managing land sliding risks
× Conducting a regional inventory of landslides and hazard maps.
STATUS AND FUTURE OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE REGION TAZA-AL HOCEIMA-TAOUNATE SYNTHESIS REPORT FOR DECISION MAKERS
PART 6 Upgrading environmental sectors
Objective 1 Strengthening and accelerating the environmental upgrade program of the waste sector
× Completion of the provincial master plans by 2016;
× Construction of controlled landfills in Taza, Taounate Guercif and Targuist;
× Establishing waste classification and recovery units;
× Improving operating conditions of controlled landfills in Al Hoceima : • Expansion and improving Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) functioning (increasing the WWTPs processing , capacity and performance to meet discharges standards); • Establishing waste classification and recovery units; • Upgrading existing units (cleaning of drains, stabilization of dikes, installation of wells and leachate monitoring and pumping); • Implementing a monitoring and follow up program of the discharge operations.
× Upgrading and closure of illegal landfills mainly in Issaguen, arguist,T Guercif, Taza and Taounate;
× Eliminating all “black spots” in the Region;
× Professionalizing of the waste management sector.
Objective 2 Strengthening and accelerating environmental upgrading program in the sanitation sector
× Reinforcing sanitation in the centers located in sensitive areas vulnerable to pollution namely areas upstream from the dams or near catchment areas including : • Issagen, Bnihdifa; Rouadi, Tamassint, Zerkat and Snada and in the province of Al Hoceima; • Matmata, OuledZbair, Zerarda, Aknoul, Bab Marzouka, BniIfrassen, and Bouzemlane in the province of Taza; • Ghafsai, AinMaatouf, TharEssouk, Tissa, AinMediouna, BeniOulid, Ourtzegh andTaounate in the province of Taounate.
× Strengthening the processing capacity of the WWTP of Al Hoceima;
× Acceleratingconstruction work of the new WWTPs of cities Issaguen, Guercif, OuedAmlil, Imzouren, Taza, Targuist, BNI BOUAYACH, Ajdir, Taounate and Kariat Ba Mohamed.
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PART 7 Managing air pollution
Objective 1 Increasing awareness about air quality in the Region
× Establishing air quality monitoring program;
× Conducting a study on the register of air emissions in the Region;
× Set up stations to measure air quality in the main cities of the Region.
Objective 2 Prevention actions against the degradation of air quality
× Encouraging all forms of clean transport through incentive measures: public transport, cycling, walking;
× Prohibiting Waste burning in illegal dumps;
× Controlling polluting vehicle emissions;
× Deploying renewable energy (solar, wind, hydropower energy ...);
× Creating awareness through information and promotional campaigns to change behavior.
TRANSVERSAL ACTIONS :
The implementation of the action plan must necessarily go through the reinforcement of :
× Soil, biodiversity and coastal legal framework;
× Financial framework and incentives;
× Coordination and governance;
× Environmental and monitoring laws;
× partnership and cooperation in eco-development for experience sharing;
× Education and awareness actions.
STATUS AND FUTURE OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE REGION TAZA-AL HOCEIMA-TAOUNATE SYNTHESIS REPORT FOR DECISION MAKERS
GENERAL CONCLUSION
The integrated environmental assessment of the and coordination between stakeholders further Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate Region focuses on the aggravate the problems identified. pressures of the various socio-economic activities In spite of the significant progress that has been on the different environmental components such as achieved in legal and institutional measures in water, soil, coastline, forest and biodiversity. the environment sector, supervision and quality This study prioritizes the sources of pressures and monitoring tools of ecosystems remain limited. identifies different problems according to their level Of all the indicators defined for monitoring the of importance in the extent of proposing corrective environment, sectoral activities, and their impact on actions to mitigate the impacts on the natural natural resources and the environment, over 40% of environment of this region based on scenario analysis these indicators are not available and over 60% of in a manner consistent with the strategies developed. existing indicators have no historical data. The major sources of pressures contributing to the Furthermore, several protection devices and preser- environmental degradation are: vation systems of natural resources were planned and specific projects have been implemented as part • Liquid sanitation sector through a lack of sanitation of national and international commitments. infrastructure especially in rural areas and the delay in construction works planned by the PNA. This However, the realization process should be at a pace lack is aggravated by the lack of an adequate legal sufficient to meet the intended objectives (National framework, the lack of standards and control, etc. ; Program for Liquid Sanitation National Program of Household Waste, Green Morocco Plan, Energy • Overfishing of fishery resources which caused a Strategy, the Water Strategy ...). reduction of certain fish stocks; On the basis of these pressures, three possible • The solid sanitation sector, affected by an future scenarios for the region have been identified; abundance of illegal dumps, “black spots” and lack a pessimistic scenario which Shows that the of sanitary landfills except in Al Hoceima; development prospects as established by the Moroccan government will be revised downwards • The agricultural sector through deforestation and because of the continuing economic crisis in land clearing for farming purposes, consumption the European region; a trend scenario maintains of harvested waters and pressure on the soil and continuity over time as a part of the current context, biodiversity; taking account the strategies and actions undertaken by various sectors; and a scenario towards • The mining and quarrying sector which causes ne- sustainability as a corrected form of the trend gative impacts on several components of the envi- scenario with additional corrective actions in relation ronment water and air pollution, impoverishment to existing ones. and deterioration of the quality of agricultural land with high agricultural value soils and degradation In the pessimistic scenario, all national macroeconomic of natural landscapes; indicators show that Morocco is able to overcome the impacts of the European crisis and achieve growth • The development of industry, including olive objectives, which shows that this scenario has a very oil crushing units that are responsible for the low probability of occurrence. degradation of water and soil resources through the rejection of untreated vegetable water; To sum up, according to the trend scenario, if these practices continue with the same pace and if no • Housing and urban development, through the action is taken, the region’s natural resources will expansion of the coastal cities and centers, as remain heavily impacted by the population and other well as the exponential growth of their population pressures and will eventually run out in Future: as a result of labor market development and rural exodus. • Soil’s vulnerability to water erosion will increase further due to the increase in land clearing, The development of the region sided with the poor deforestation and fires; infrastructure; the difficulties of reducing illiteracy and poverty, combined with lack of efficiency, governance
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• The consumption of water resources would be • Safeguarding biodiversity and protecting existing increasingly important due to the increase of water natural wealth in the regional territory to ensure its demand (agricultural, drinking water ) and the sustainability; proliferation of new tourism projects; • Integrated management of water resources: the • Water quality would remain vulnerable to degra- objective is to implement remedial actions and dation in some areas prone to sources of urban, preventive measures to develop a sustainable industrial and agricultural pollution; resource preservation system in the region. To do so, it is necessary to strengthen water saving • Continued durcification of coastlines due to measures and increase awareness on the state of urbanization and the development of tourism water resources; projects; gradual reduction of fish stocks and degradation of marine water quality due to the • Integrated coastal zone management: It is proliferation of sources of pollution especially near necessary, firstly, implementing the draft law on urban centers and fishing harbors; the protection and coastal development. Then the region should initiate actions that will enable • Biodiversity remain impacted by certain non- local coastal protection and preservation of coastal compliant practices such as land clearing, fires, natural resources such as combating durcification forest grazing activity and levies of firewood thus along the coastline and preserving and restoring causing an imbalance in the dynamics of forest the balance of fishery resources; stands. • Upgrading environmental sectors: to establish an According to the sustainable scenario, the implemen- improvement of living conditions of the population tation of corrective action would diminish the rate of of the region and better environmental protection, degradation of the natural environment but with dif- two objectives have been determined mainly the ferent method depending on the environmental com- reinforcement and acceleration of environmental ponents involved. upgrading programs in areas of sanitation and In addition to the corrective actions to contain the direct waste discharges. pressure on the various components, according to sustainable scenario, it is clear that the apprehension • Good risk management related to seismic and flood of these environmental problems require an hazards by implementing preventive measures, integrated and participatory land management, based strengthening actions against these risks and on a sustainable development approach that would developing integrated intersectoral plan to combat correct and consider the environmental impacts major risks; before implementing any development project. • Air Pollution management: Since the industrial and This would allow, for the sake of consistency, to economic development is low in the region, the establish links between different territorial policies at air quality is probably better than other regions of different administrative levels. Integrated management the kingdom. However, it is important to know and involves addressing cooperatively related issues monitor the air quality in order to preserve it. such as urban planning and environmental The environmental assessment of the Taza-Al governance, management and integrated planning Hoceima-Taounate Region demonstrates that the of the territory, peoples’ well-being and social state of natural resources and environment reflects advancement, economic growth and competitiveness, the production methods, ways of thinking, political and the management of the environment. In fact, the and strategic choices and lifestyles adopted in the actions planned in this program are: region. A unilateral environmental protection at the • Soil protection and biodiversity: in order to benefit expense of economic and social growth in the region from special protection to ensure the sustainability is unachievable. However, a sustainable development of these environments. It is essential to overcome dynamic based on the green economy and integrated a certain numbers of obstacles which hinder the social development is more likely possible. management of these resources including those In this perspective, it is recommended to implement related to the legal, land and socio-economic an economic and social development approach framework, and then go toward the construction of that is more responsive to the prerogatives of the a system of sustainable preservation protection and preservation of natural resources in Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate region.
STATUS AND FUTURE OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE REGION TAZA-AL HOCEIMA-TAOUNATE