Al Alam: environment degradation endangers over 2,000 animal, vegetal species in Morocco

Environment degradation endangers some 1,670 vegetal and 610 animal species, Moroccan secretary of state in charge of environment, M'hammed El Morabit, said.

In an interview published Thursday by the daily Al Alam, El Morabit said forests over-exploitation causes the loss of 31,000 ha and several fauna and flora species. It also worsens desert encroachment and land erosion and causes dam silt up.

The official cited solutions enforced by the kingdom such as the creation of a national fund for environment that will be endowed with some 400 million dirhams ($40 million) annually. The fund will be financed by the environment department and international donations, he said.

El Morabit went on that his department is finalizing studies on the processing of dangerous waste in Casablanca. A center, he said, will set up within the framework of Moroccan-German cooperation and will process 80 to 90% of the city's waste.