Call for the preservation of the Moulouya River

The association "man & environment" based in the eastern Moroccan city of Berkane has launched a call for the preservation of the Moulouya River, which is a shelter to several endangered species such as the Aydoum gull, pink flamingo, and grey teal.

Some 180 bird species, out of which 18 are endangered, flock to the part of the river located between the Mediterranean sea and the Machraa Hammadi dam for their feed.

These birds fly to the Moulouya basin for their feed and nest in the Jafarine Islands, a natural park that hosts the largest number of birds of the Mediterranean basin, the association chairman, Najib Bachiri, told MAP.

The Moulouya river, an ecological site, must be preserved against pollution as it shelters a variety of rare birds and its flora contributes to the region's environment balance, Bachiri said.

He said the international "ZICO" program dealing with river pollution had listed the Moulouya River in the A1 category because it harbors endangered species.

The Moulouya River is also a spawning ground for several fish species, including the eel which comes from the Gulf of Mexico, crossing thousands of kilometers, Bachiri said, calling the concerned sides to ban hunting in the region and to avoid that the vicinity be a waste dumping site.

The preservation of this site will undoubtedly promote eco-tourism in the region, he said.