Morocco launches protected areas project

The Moroccan water and forest department will stage this May 15-17 information days on a project to create protected areas.

The ministry announced that the project, consisting of three national parks and ten biological sites, is the first stage of a larger plan of protected areas. A total of 154 biological sites nationwide have been identified so far.

The plan's total cost is estimated at $ 15.7 million, including $ 5.25 mln to be contributed by the state and rural communes and $ 10.5 million as a donation from the World Environment Fund.

According to the water and forests ministry, the project is part of natural resources preservation, management and development policy based on rural community participation.