Watershed Management: Nizar Baraka and Ahmed El Bouari Accelerate Dam Protection

As part of the implementation of the framework partnership agreement signed between the National Agency for Water and Forests (ANEF) and the Ministry of Equipment and Water, Mr. Nizar Baraka, Minister of Equipment and Water, and Mr. Ahmed El Bouari, Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, Water, and Forests, accompanied by Mr. Abderrahim Houmy, General Director of the National Agency for Water and Forests, conducted a field visit in the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra region to monitor watershed management programs.

This visit aligns with the agreement signed between the two ministries to strengthen collaborative efforts aimed at protecting water resources, combating soil erosion and dam siltation, and restoring forest ecosystems, in accordance with the “Forests of Morocco 2020-2030” strategy.

On this occasion, the two ministers were briefed on the national assessment of watershed management programs implemented by the ANEF, as well as their future development prospects. Nationally, these interventions cover 33 watersheds, representing nearly 8 million hectares, including 15 strategic watersheds feeding 43 priority dams. To date, over 1.14 million hectares have undergone management operations, resulting in the construction of more than 3 million cubic meters of water and soil conservation structures aimed at limiting erosion and reducing dam siltation.

The Ministry of Equipment and Water also provided an overview of dam siltation in Morocco, highlighting its evolution on a national scale, in major hydraulic basins, and in dam reservoirs. This presentation illustrated the magnitude of the problem, its consequences on the storage capacity of hydraulic structures, and the challenges it poses for the Kingdom’s water security. It also addressed the situation of the dams most affected by siltation, emphasizing the need to strengthen preventive watershed management actions upstream to limit solid inputs and extend the lifespan of hydraulic infrastructures.

The visit further included a presentation of the watershed management program for the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra region, which is part of the Regional Forestry Plan. With a total investment of 386 million dirhams for the period from 2026 to 2030, this program is based on an integrated approach that combines reforestation, forest ecosystem restoration, water and soil conservation, erosion control, forest seedling production, and community involvement, aimed at sustainably preserving water resources and reducing the siltation of hydraulic structures.

The participants then continued their work on-site at the Oued Beht watershed, where they followed several technical presentations on the management actions taken. They learned about biological treatment operations, including reforestation, vegetation cover restoration, and forest ecosystem regeneration, as well as mechanical treatment works involving torrent correction and water and soil conservation structures designed to reduce runoff, stabilize slopes, and limit sediment transport to dam reservoirs.

These achievements demonstrate the integrated approach adopted by the ANEF, which combines biological and mechanical interventions to sustainably improve the functioning of watersheds, enhance territorial resilience to the effects of climate change, and conserve the Kingdom’s water resources.

Through this field visit, the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, along with the Ministry of Equipment and Water and the National Agency for Water and Forests, reaffirm their joint commitment to accelerate the implementation of watershed management programs, regarded as a strategic lever for water security, dam protection, forest ecosystem restoration, and sustainable territorial development.