Ghabati Hayati – Improving the overall management of forests and national parks in Morocco

Morocco is one of the richest Mediterranean countries in terms of biodiversity. Its bioclimates and geomorphology provide it with outstanding landscapes and natural environments. Covering nine million hectares, Morocco’s forests are the cornerstone of the country’s ecological wealth. They are home to 70% of the country’s animal and plant species.

Through this biological diversity, Moroccan forests provide important social, economic and environmental functions. However, despite their key role in protecting water and soil and combating desertification, Moroccan forests remain subject to strong human and grazing   pressure and recurrent climate damage.

Launched in 2020 by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the “Forests of Morocco 2020-2030” strategy is an important milestone in forest management. It has two objectives: preserve biodiversity and develop a sustainable economy in the sector, focused on an inclusive approach and geared towards job creation.

The Ghabati Hayati, “My Forest, My Life”, programme financed by Agence Française de Développement (AFD) is the first cooperation programme to support the “Forests of Morocco 2020-2030” strategy. For a period of four years, it is supporting the implementation of this strategy, with a focus on biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation.

The overall objective of Ghabati Hayati is to sustainably manage Morocco’s forests and national parks. It will thereby contribute to a low-carbon, resilient and inclusive transition in the country and help protect and maintain its biodiversity.

Through its activities, the Ghabati Hayati programme will:

• Increase climate change mainstreaming in Morocco’s Forest Strategy
• Strengthen practices and tools to preserve biodiversity and the natural heritage
• Develop the participatory and inclusive approach to the management of forests and protected areas on a large scale
• Improve the level of scientific knowledge on Morocco’s forest ecosystems
• Support the institutional overhaul of the Water and Forests Department of the National Agency for Water and Forests (ANEF).

The programme also aims to reduce gender inequalities by further mainstreaming gender issues into public policies on the forest sector.

Expertise France is assisting the ANEF with the planning, implementation and monitoring of the “Ghabati, Hayati” programme, at the central level in Rabat and at the regional level.

This technical assistance involves mobilising national and international public and private technical expertise, with the aim of building the capacities of water and forest operators on issues mainly related to forests, the climate, gender and biodiversity.

The technical assistance mission is directly contributing to the programme’s overall objective of supporting the sustainable management of Morocco’s forests and national parks. It is thereby contributing to a low-carbon, resilient and inclusive transition in the country and to protecting and maintaining its biodiversity.