Oasis Wildfires in Southeastern Morocco Spark Criticism of National Development Plans

A wave of wildfires in Morocco’s southeastern oasis regions has prompted sharp criticism from environmental advocates, who say recent government strategies have failed to protect these ecologically fragile areas from the growing threats of climate change and water scarcity.

Local environmental groups say current plans have not accounted for the increasing vulnerability of the region’s ecosystem. The fires, which have devastated parts of the Zagora province in recent days, reflect a lack of effective planning and preparedness, they say.

“The strategic plans implemented in recent years appear to have ignored the region’s environmental fragility,” said Jamal Aqchbab, president of the Friends of the Environment Association. “They didn’t take into account the impacts of climate change, water scarcity or the challenges of intervening in such complex terrain.”

Activists are calling for a fundamental rethinking of development models in southeastern Morocco, particularly in oasis communities. They are urging the government to focus on stronger, long-term wildfire prevention programs, improved intervention mechanisms, and increased community awareness.

“There’s an urgent need to revise the Agriculture Ministry’s action plan for oasis fire protection,” Aqchbab said. “The frequency and scale of fires over the past few years clearly show the current strategy isn’t working.”

He pointed to a lack of coordination among government agencies and inadequate infrastructure. “There’s no proper water supply or access routes for emergency teams,” he said. “What we saw in recent days shows the system is not resilient. Civil protection crews couldn’t reach the fire zones in time.”

Aqchbab also blamed agricultural practices for worsening the crisis. He said the unchecked expansion of watermelon farming has severely depleted underground water reserves, leading to the death of palm trees—turning them into dry, flammable fuel.

“The residents are deeply connected to these oases; they’ve always protected them,” he said. “But now, with no proper fire-fighting tools or investment in prevention, they are left helpless.”

Need for Justice and Equity

Najib Abdelwahab, a climate and sustainable development researcher in southeastern Morocco, also criticized the central government’s handling of oasis regions, arguing that its top-down approach is outdated.

“There needs to be an urgent review of the national oasis strategy, but this time with the inclusion of local voices—civil society, environmental activists, and local experts,” Abdelwahab said.

He also highlighted that many families affected by recent fires have not received any compensation from Morocco’s disaster relief fund, despite suffering significant losses in homes, crops, and livelihoods.

“There’s a sense of injustice,” he said. “The lack of support erodes public trust in the state’s social protection programs. The eligibility criteria for aid must be revisited to ensure fairness.”

For Abdelwahab, the stakes go beyond environmental damage. “Oases aren’t just ecosystems—they’re also social stabilizers,” he said. “Their disappearance could trigger greater social fragility and migration pressure.”

He warned that the collapse of oasis systems may accelerate internal displacement and create new challenges for urban areas already struggling with development pressures.

“Oases should be considered a national priority,” he said, “not just a natural heritage to be preserved, but a cornerstone of Morocco’s climate resilience and rural stability.”