Morocco’s Centuries-Old Oases in Danger of Disappearing Due to Extreme Drought

NOS

NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 21:27

• Samira Jadir

  Morocco correspondent

• Samira Jadir

  Morocco correspondent

Due to global warming, Morocco has been experiencing extreme drought in recent years. The south of the country is known for its idyllic oases, but due to a lack of rainfall over the past six years, these places are quickly turning into desert areas. This also means that a centuries-old agricultural system and the associated lifestyle are at risk of disappearing.

In M’Hamed El Ghizlaine there is a prayer for rain every Friday. In addition to a center, the oasis area consists of seven surrounding villages, all of which were dependent on the water from the now completely dried up River Draa.

“It used to be very green and fertile here, but now it looks like a cemetery,” says resident Halim Sbai. He is involved in his hometown and tries with all his might to save the town from destruction.

It is difficult to imagine that the plot of land he shows was once green and fertile. The leaves of the palm trees are hanging down and dried up. This region was once known for its dates. In cities such as Casablanca and Marrakech they were praised for their full taste. But the palm trees no longer produce dates for a long time.

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The persistent drought has sparked a battle for water. Since 2014, rainwater has no longer flowed through the Draa and residents have to rely on wells. Where water was found at a depth of 6 meters twenty years ago, wells are now being dug at a depth of at least 14 meters.

“I am putting a lot of effort into bringing this place back to life, but this is causing the further extinction of the rest of the oasis. We are bringing 5 percent to life and 95 percent is dying,” Halim says. “Rules must be introduced quickly, such as agreements on how deep the wells may be.”

Now the deepest wells extract groundwater from the immediate surroundings, leaving residents who do not have the money and resources to dig deeper behind the net:

Centuries-old oases are in danger of disappearing

In the middle of the palm tree cemetery we see a small piece of green ground. Here, out of desperation, Mr. Gheurni has set up a small project: he has planted twelve trees to ensure that they do not become extinct.

He thinks back to better times with nostalgia: “The Draa Valley was once a paradise, various types of dates grew abundantly in the region. The river also brought its wealth of water. Everything was green and there was flourishing plant and animal life. the drought destroys everything.”

Resorts in hotels

The residents of M’Hamed El Ghizlaine often use solar panels to pump groundwater. An economical and environmentally friendly tool in the long term, but the large hotels and resorts in the region have also discovered this technique to obtain their water. In combination with their ability to dig the deepest wells, they ensure that there is even less water left for local residents.

Yet the residents of the oasis do not see tourism as something bad. Although most young people leave for the big cities in the hope of building a life there, the jobs provided by resorts and hotels ensure that at least some of the young people remain in the region.

Advancing sand

Because there is less and less vegetation in the oasis areas, the sand and the wind have free rein. This causes houses to be buried and made uninhabitable. The village of Bounou now has only four families out of the four hundred that once lived there. Those left behind are mainly children and old people. The other villagers have left for the cities, where they have a better chance of a good future.

Yet there are people who stay. They are even willing to compromise on their health. The fine sand that blows in through the cracks of the houses causes all residents to cough through life.

Mountasser is the village chief of Bounou. He left the village a few years ago, but recently returned because he missed Bounou and wanted to help. “A large river used to flow here, but now we have to make do with a water tank,” says Mountasser.

Agriculture has disappeared, but we hope that music will live on for a long time.

Halim, owner of music school

26-year-old Abderrazik is one of the few young men still living in Bounou. He takes us to the local clubhouse where until recently activities for the children were organized.

“We now have to do everything outside with the children. The roof of the clubhouse is too dangerous because there is a lot of sand on it. It could collapse at any moment,” he says. But he doesn’t want to think about leaving.

In M’Hamed El Ghizlaine, the vibrant music scene is still one of the few reasons for young adults not to leave the oasis. Halim has opened a music school where young musicians learn to play the so-called ‘desert blues’, a music genre that has given the region international fame.

International music festivals are organized annually so that artists and visitors from abroad can become acquainted with the oasis culture and the associated music. “Agriculture has disappeared, but we hope that music will live on for a long time,” says Halim.

2024-03-15 20:27:54
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