Morocco battles climate change with reforestation campaign

(30 Jan 2024)
MOROCCO REFORESTATION

SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS

RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

LENGTH: 5:24

Kenitra Province, Morocco - 24 January 2024

1. Various of the Maamora Forest in Kenitra Province
2. Various of cows and sheep grazing
3. Fouad Assali, director of reforestation, climate and environmental risks at the National Agency for Water and Forests, taking part in the launch of the "Forests of Morocco 2020-2030" reforestation campaign in the Rabat-Sale-Kenitra region
4. SOUNDBITE (French) Fouad Assali, director of reforestation, climate and environmental risks at the National Agency for Water and Forests:
"We now feel the detailed impacts of climate change, specifically the reduction in precipitation and the associated rise in temperatures. As you may already know, our monitoring systems show a 25% to 30% decrease in total precipitation compared to average years. Even the snowfall period is significantly impacted, with a reduction of more than 30% compared to normal. These changes undeniably affect the strength, health, and long-term survival of our forest ecosystems."

5. Various of members of an official delegation listening to Ahmed Kadri, the chairperson of the Moroccan Federation of Forest Enterprises during the launch of the campaign
6. Banner of campaign with information and pictures
7. Various of saplings in nursery
8. Kadri talking with officials
9. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Ahmed Kadri, chairperson of the Moroccan Federation of Forest Enterprises:
"The most important characteristic of these plants is that they don't contain any weeds. Another advantage is that they are very economical and don't require much water, even after being replanted. They use only a small quantity of water, unlike in the past. Why? Because they retain humidity for a longer period."

10. Various of tree planting site, work underway to plant trees
11. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Abderrahim Houmy, general-director of the National Agency for Water and Forests:
"There is a new working approach that focuses on involving local communities living near the forests. They will benefit from these operations and must be involved in their success. It's an essential part of this strategy. We also offer significant incentives to the locals, such as compensating them for relinquishing their pastoral rights."

12. Various of Bouselham Soafa, head of the al-Mustakbal Pastoral Association, closing the gate of a large forest-protected area
13. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Bouselham Soafa, head of the al-Mustakbal Pastoral Association:
"It's beneficial for both the local community and the state. If the project succeeds, it will benefit the community through the trees and their acorns, as well as from the mushrooms and truffles that grow under the trees. These are the benefits of oak trees. We are eager to see this project succeed because we will get all these benefits, God willing."

14. Trees
15. Various of worker pruning a tree
16. Pan of trees
STORYLINE:
A vital reforestation campaign is underway in Morocco's Kenitra Province, part of a larger national effort to plant 600,000 hectares by 2030.

The program comes in response to the increasing degradation of Morocco's forests, which cover 13% of the country and significantly impact its rural population and economy.

"We now feel the detailed impacts of climate change, specifically the reduction in precipitation and the associated rise in temperatures," said Fouad Assali, the director of reforestation, climate and environmental risks at the National Agency for Water and Forests.














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