Morocco’s National Police (DGSN) and the National Agency of Water and Forests (ANEF) held a “study day” workshop on Monday at the Royal Institute of Police (IRP) in Kenitra to address combating forest crimes, such as arson, unlawfully destroying flora and fauna, and damaging the environment. Several members of the police and ANEF attended the training.
Entitled “Combating Offenses Against the Forest Domain,” the workshop is part of the partnership agreement signed on January 12 by the DGSN and the ANEF, according to a joint press release.
This agreement facilitates the entities’ common objectives, and provides for cooperation in training and exchange of expertise and experience. It also helps to prevent forest crimes through continuous coordination and data exchange in accordance with current law.
The partnership also intends to establish a regulatory framework to strengthen cooperation and partnership to protect forests and align their visions and working methods to combat damage to the forest heritage and wildlife.
National police members will support and assist ANEF agents during legal investigations of stores selling forest products, wildlife, woodworking, and wood-cutting workshops, as well as forest product warehouses, and govern the exchange of data on forest crime and individuals involved in criminal acts.
Director General of ANEF Abderrahim Houmy said during the study day that approximately 12,000 reports of forest offenses are recorded annually in Morocco. Concerted efforts and coordination on the ground between the external services of the ANEF and various stakeholders, including the DGSN, have contributed to the protection of the forest heritage and wildlife, he said.
Houmy noted that the ANEF has a forest police unit that is comprised of judicial police officers, engineers, and technicians from the water and forests sector who are legally authorized to identify and address forest offenses, as well as to document them through reports.
He also highlighted Morocco’s strategy “Forests of Morocco 2020-2030,” launched on February 13, 2020, that focuses on institutional reform in the sector, including the establishment of the ANEF in accordance with Law No. 52.20, and legislative reform through updating existing laws governing the management of Morocco’s national forest heritage.
Houmy explained that the Agency has been working on an important draft law (No. 21.22) to provide for the preservation of forests and their sustainable development, which is expected to have a significant impact on the sustainable development of the national forest heritage by regulating the management and utilization of this natural resource.
Morocco’s forests currently cover approximately 9 million hectares and play a crucial role ecologically, socially, and economically, Houmy said.