DR DR ‹ › Recent images depicting fallen trees have sparked allegations of extensive logging in the Maâmora Forest. However, the National Agency for Water and Forests has refuted claims of any intentional cutting, attributing the damage instead to the fierce winds and storms that battered several provinces in early February 2026. In a statement, the agency explained that these severe weather conditions led to the toppling or uprooting of hundreds of trees across the provinces of Kénitra, Sidi Slimane, Sidi Kacem, Khémisset, and Rabat. In Rabat alone, 594 trees from various species, including cork oak, pines, eucalyptus, acacias, and thuja, were reported as heavily damaged. An initial assessment in Kénitra recorded 520 affected trees, with additional damage noted in surrounding areas. The agency clarified that any interventions in affected areas are strictly limited to safety operations. These include clearing fallen trunks from pathways, mitigating risks for the public, and addressing phytosanitary concerns related to compromised wood. These actions, the agency emphasized, are part of standard management procedures following extreme weather events and should not be mistaken for a logging campaign. As the world's largest cork oak forest, Maâmora is a significant ecological asset. Its management is guided by development plans focused on ensuring forest regeneration, protecting biodiversity, and adapting to the impacts of climate change.
