FAO determined to foster partnership with Morocco in forest protection

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) expressed determination to foster partnership with Morocco in matters of forest protection.

"The Moroccan authorities' commitment to promoting this vital sector incited us to give a new impetus to our action as a partner of the Kingdom in this field," FAO director general, Jacques Diouf, said during a meeting with Moroccan minister in charge of water and forests, Said Chbaatou.

Diouf also expressed the Rome-based organization's backing to Morocco's forest protection strategy.

Diouf is visiting Morocco, where he handed King Hassan II the FAO "Agricola" medal in recognition for the sovereign's ceaseless efforts to promote agriculture.

For his part, the Moroccan minister highlighted the efforts made by Morocco to preserve its forest heritage.

Chbaatou noted that time runs counter to Morocco's aspirations in forest protection. While forests are destroyed in a short lapse of time, reafforestation and fauna protection require longer time.

According to a report of the Moroccan environment department, some 31,000 hectares of forest disappear each year in Morocco. 22,000 hectares are destroyed because of fuel needs, 6,000 hectares are cleared for cultivation and 3,000 hectares are burnt by fire.

The number of forest fires increased by tenfold in 30 years entailing an annual loss of 67 million Dirhams (nearly $ 7 million).

Forests cover only 8% of Morocco's territory, while the international standards require that forests cover 20% of a territory to preserve the ecosystem balance.