Residents of the Ait Imour and Akfay communities have sounded the alarm over the worsening environmental and economic crisis threatening their sole source of livelihood: olive trees. This predicament is exacerbated by ongoing drought conditions and the decline in agricultural output due to water scarcity.
Farmers rely on the waters of the Nfis River and the Lalla Takarkoust dam to save what remains of their trees, but hope is fading as water levels in the dam decrease and flow weakens. Additionally, residents are raising concerns about repeated violations by gravel extraction companies exploiting the river’s course, which obstructs water flow to essential irrigation channels and threatens complete disruption of irrigation.
Fears have escalated following the commencement of operations by a company in the “Agoug” area, a crucial point for feeding the “Amzgalf” and “Jadida” irrigation channels. If authorities do not intervene urgently, this could permanently devastate the water resource.
The community is calling for an immediate field investigation, the cessation of illegal activities, and the punishment of those responsible for this environmental disaster. They urge the restoration of water pathways to ensure continued supply to agricultural lands and protect the olive trees, symbolizing their economic and cultural resilience.
