An ambitious project in the heart of Khénifra National Park

Since 2023, the ALP ATLAS association has been implementing the project “Contributing to the preservation of the Magot monkey and Fario trout by mobilizing local stakeholders and promoting ecotourism in the Khénifra National Park”, with the support of IUCN Med through the PPI OSCAN 3 program.

The project was designed to enhance the protection of two of the park’s emblematic species – the Magot monkey and the Fario trout – while creating sustainable opportunities for local communities. Through a combination of awareness-raising, training, development of ecotourism activities and local capacity-building, the project has laid the foundations for an integrated conservation model in a park with high ecological and tourism potential.

Awareness-raising, education and community mobilization

The project focused on raising awareness of the ecological wealth of the Khénifra National Park (PNKh) among local communities and target audiences:

  • An educational guide to the Magot monkey and Fario trout was produced, 600 copies printed and distributed to over 500 beneficiaries, including schoolchildren, local stakeholders and visitors.
  • 59 participants (elected representatives, civil society, young people, civil servants) took part in an awareness-raising day on the ecology of the target species and the threats they face.
  • 63 people from various localities took part in three training workshops on biodiversity preservation, organized in October 2023 in Arougou, Aguelmam Azegza and Oum Er-Rbia.

Raising awareness among the younger generation

Environmental education targeted the very young through a week of fun and educational activities:

147 schoolchildren from several establishments (Ajdir, El Kadi Iyad, Moulay Abdellah…) were sensitized between May and September 2023.

Sessions included educational games, drawing workshops, interactive presentations and field trips on the theme of the park’s biodiversity.

Promoting sustainable, sporty ecotourism

The project has structured a coherent and innovative ecotourism offer, notably around the “blue circuit” (the park’s wetlands), and nature sports:

  • A prospecting campaign has identified 22 young local talents motivated to practice and supervise kayaking and rafting.
  • Specialized training in November 2024 at the École Supérieure de Technologie de Khénifra, in partnership with the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Rafting, trained 29 young people in navigation techniques, safety and environmental awareness.
  • A Blue Circuit guidebook was produced to promote the wetlands to visitors.
  • 56 tourist guides and local players have been trained to supervise ecotourism activities in the park.
  • A promotional campaign for the blue circuit has been launched, reaching several hundred people.

Skills development and empowerment

The project has also supported local players in their professionalization:

In November 2024, 29 sports tourism leaders (from local cooperatives and associations) received comprehensive training in ecotourism, safety in the natural environment, heritage interpretation techniques, and first aid.
The equipment required for kayaking and rafting was acquired thanks to the logistical support of our partners.

An ambitious post-project strategy

To ensure the sustainability of the results, ALP ATLAS has defined a three-pronged follow-up strategy:

  • Consolidation of achievements: support for young people trained, development of ecotourism micro-enterprises, promotion of local products.
  • Participatory ecological monitoring: involvement of trained fishermen and guides in the observation of trout and monkey populations.
  • Strengthening inclusiveness: creation of a 100% women’s water sports center at the sources of the Oum Er-Rbia to promote the empowerment of rural women through sport and ecotourism.

A digital platform to promote the Blue Circuit and local tourism offers is also

The project carried out by ALP ATLAS in the Khénifra National Park illustrates the relevance of an integrated approach combining environmental education, community mobilization and sustainable ecotourism development. With results exceeding initial indicators and a solid post-project strategy, this initiative is an inspiring model of participatory biodiversity management at local level, supported by the PPI OSCAN 3 program and coordinated by IUCN Med.

Ce projet est mis en œuvre dans le cadre de la troisième phase du Programme de Petites Initiatives pour les OSC d’Afrique du Nord (PPI OSCAN), coordonné par le Centre de Coopération pour la Méditerranée de l’UICN, et financé par le Fonds Français pour l’Environnement Mondial (FFEM), la Fondation MAVA et la Fondation Sigrid Rausing Trust. Les projets subventionnés visent à la conservation des espèces et écosystèmes présentant une biodiversité remarquable, et à la valorisation des bénéfices de la conservation et moyens de subsistance durable. Pour en savoir plus sur les projets PPI OSCAN 3 : 5.Projets – MUBADARAT (mubadarat-uicn.org).