National Parks
Marrakech boasts gardens that combine aesthetics with extreme mastery of water management (Agdal and Menara gardens). The nearest national park is 75 kilometers south of the city. It is Toubkal National Park. Located in the High Atlas mountains, it is home to Africa's second highest peak, Mount Djebel Toubkal, culminating at 4,167 meters above sea level. It can be explored on foot, although a qualified local guide is required. Experienced hikers will discover grandiose landscapes: valleys, reliefs, rivers and springs, associated with oaks, thurifer junipers and cedars. Visitors will appreciate stopping off at the crystal-clear waters of Lake Ifni, the country's highest lake, at an altitude of 2,295 metres. In terms of wildlife, the most attentive visitors will be able to observe bighorn sheep, golden eagles, lammergeiers and monkeys. In addition to its nature protection activities, the park is committed to raising environmental awareness, and has set up an eco-museum between the villages of Asni and Imlil as a showcase for the park.
Improvements in waste management
In 2008, the country launched a National Household Waste Plan to implement proper waste management, but the deadlines for the creation of landfill sites have been pushed back due to numerous delays. In 2019, the first waste sorting and recovery center was inaugurated in the prefecture of Marrakech. Dedicated to waste assimilated to household refuse, it enables bio-waste to be recovered for energy purposes. As the least polluting waste is the one we don't produce, a reduction approach at source can prove to be one of the best preventions. In 2016, Morocco enacted a ban on plastic bags on its territory. This measure, which was accompanied by awareness-raising by NGOs, nevertheless had a mixed record two years after its implementation. Visitors are advised to take inspiration from a "zero waste" approach (to find out more: www.zerowastefrance.org).
A centuries-old water management
Water management is inextricably linked with the city's history. From the 11th century onwards, underground galleries known as "khettaras" were used to transport water from groundwater, a technique that is thought to have originated in ancient Persia. Aman, the Mohammed VI Museum for the Civilization of Water in Morocco, retraces this history and raises awareness of the need to preserve and conserve water resources. Today, increasing demand for water due to urbanization (city growth and tourism-related needs) is creating a situation of water stress. Wastewater treatment is also a matter of concern. Until 2008, the region's wastewater was discharged into the wadis, before the creation and commissioning of wastewater treatment plants.
Facing climate change
Marrakech, which hosted the 2016 climate conference (COP22), is suffering the effects of climate change, which is reflected in the greater frequency and intensity of extreme events. Every year, and even more so in summer, the city experiences severe heat waves, approaching 40 or even 50°C, due in particular to heat domes. While atmospheric conditions (blocking anticyclone) explain the occurrence of this phenomenon, its intensity is linked to climate change. All the more reason to take action on a daily basis! To measure your carbon footprint and find out what you can do to live a low-carbon life: https: //nosgestesclimat.fr/simulateur/bilan
