The encouragement of ecotourism in the Cascades d'Ouzoud site has improved the local economy and participated in the conservation of species.
El Alami
Encouraging development projects to conserve biodiversity
Encouraging development projects promote the local economy and participate in increasing the income of residents. We participated in the training of tourist guides to work in tourist places, especially in the Ouzoud site. Some locals who previously worked as poachers have become good tour guides. They acquired information on the local fauna, in particular the Barbary macaque. The training of guides was carried out in collaboration with associations and local and regional authorities. Other people were trained in the field of medicinal plants and they improved their income.
The three protected areas contain many sites of ecological (6) and geological (22) interest which can be exploited to encourage ecotourism and geotourism. They also have a great diversity of habitats and of plant and animal species with existence of many local products with a strong territorial link and a real potential for economic development.
By promoting the local economy and education, local inhabitants actively participate in the conservation of biodiversity. Poachers and people who work in the forests have other opportunities to increase their income without having a negative effect on biodiversity.