فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Environmental Cleanup Campaign Sparks Clash Between Nature Preservation and Livelihoods
After years of disorder marked by illegal occupation of forest and hydraulic public domains, local authorities in the Ourika region launched a large-scale operation to dismantle wooden cabins, cafes, and restaurants along the valley. Launched on Tuesday, July 8, this intervention aims to liberate the Ourika Valley’s surroundings from unauthorized constructions that marred the aesthetics of this iconic tourist site. Carried out by law enforcement, Royal Gendarmerie units, and local authorities, the operation follows numerous complaints from visitors and tourists lamenting the landscape degradation, comparing these installations to shantytowns with haphazardly built roofs.
This initiative aligns with a strategy to rehabilitate the local tourist landscape. On social media, many netizens praised the move, emphasizing that even panoramic views visible from cafe and restaurant terraces had become unrecognizable. Instead of enjoying mountain vistas and surrounding nature, visitors faced a chaotic visual landscape devoid of harmony.
Restaurant Owners’ Protest
However, this initiative lacks consensus. Restaurant owners in the tourist village of Setti Fatma expressed dissent by organizing a general strike after authorities demolished the relaxation spaces they had developed along the valley. Establishments remained closed, as seen in the accompanying video:
These traders are accused of illegally exploiting the riverbanks and imposing exorbitant fees—up to 70 dirhams—on visitors merely wishing to sit. The tension underscores a broader conflict: while authorities prioritize restoring the valley’s natural integrity and protecting public domains, hundreds of families dependent on tourism face existential threats to their livelihoods.
“We can’t accept Ourika Valley turning into a chaotic marketplace—environmental preservation comes first,” stated a local official.
“They demolished our workplaces without warning. How do we feed our families now?” lamented a restaurant owner.
Background: Ourika Valley, a premier tourist destination near Marrakech renowned for its scenic waterfalls and natural beauty, has seen unlicensed cafes and restaurants proliferate in recent years, sparking concerns over environmental degradation.
Sources: Local field reports, social media documentation, eyewitness accounts.
