Morocco has an important wealth of forests, which contribute significantly to the country's economy, and include rare trees, most notably the pillars, which UNESCO classifies as "global human heritage".
And "pillars" of the pine tree species, spread in the southern regions of Morocco, and live hundreds of years, and characterized by its short trunk and branches thick and plentiful.
The pillars form the backbone of the pastoral and agricultural system in Morocco, with an area of about 830,000 hectares in semi-arid and arid regions of the Atlas.
What is unique to the tree Argan is Zeitha, which is exported to a large number of countries in the world, which is used to treat many diseases, as well as cosmetic benefits.
This oil has become famous after foreign companies discovered its many benefits. It is considered a precious commodity, which some have called "liquid gold" or "green gold".
The price of selling Argan oil is between $ 100 and $ 300 per liter, making it the most expensive food oil in the world.
Experts say this oil has several health benefits. It treats cholesterol, eczema, rheumatism, fights the appearance of wrinkles, and fights colitis and slipped disc.
On the cosmetic benefits, the elements moisturizes and cleanses the skin, nourishes the hair and scalp, and it stimulates the vital functions of the skin cells, which contributes to the resistance of skin aging. And
This oil is also used to relieve the effects of acne and scars and fire wounds.
Efforts and attention
In 1998, the pillars were classified as a "vital reserve" of UNESCO, which made the Moroccan authorities concerned to intervene to preserve them from the danger of extinction, as well as to appreciate this unique economic and cultural heritage.
For this purpose, the Ministry of Agriculture has become very interested in small and large matters of the environmental system of the elements, and the establishment of the National Agency for the development of oases and tree trees early in 2010.
The National Agency for the Development of Oases and Al-Arkan said that a special program launched in 2011, with allocations worth about 3 billion dirhams, in order to develop, preserve and benefit from it.
It remains to be seen that the pillars provide several possibilities and advantages, which aim at improving the standard of living of some 3.5 million people living in areas with this type of tree, mostly in rural areas.
Ghost of extinction
But warning bells do not stop Morocco warning of the specter of the collapse of tree pillars because of the climate changes that are taking place in different countries of the world, as well as some individual behavior.
In the absence of strict laws and human protection for this type of tree, overgrazing remains "the greatest threat to the pillars", which requires awareness and guidance to change citizen behavior.
Experts stress the need to preserve the environment and protect the region from erosion and desertification, in addition to planting new trees and encouraging investments in this area.
Over the past year, more than 1,870 hectares of tree trees have been planted in the current agricultural season 2017-2018, under a program to plant 10,000 hectares, of which about 2,000 hectares are associated with aromatic and medicinal plants.
