Geomorphosite Valorization a View to Sustainable Development: Case of Ait Hajji, Oued Boulahmayel Valley, Central Morocco

Abstract

The Pleistocene Fluvial-lacustrine of Ait Hajji Formation is located in South East of Tiddas, and in the Quaternary deposits of the Moroccan Central Plateau. These outcrops represent on a geomorphosite of great importance for the study of geological heritage, and for a natural eco-tourism valorization in Morocco. For to aim a natural tourism promotion, for indigenous peoples, this geomorphosite in question has an fluorescent and dense flora with a diversified fauna in the heart of one Ordovician quartzite bar and Devonian limestone ridges. In Oued Boulahmayel geomorphosite contains a memory geological Formation of a Pleistocene episode, beginning firstly by a dynamic fluviatil land synchronous with a local volcanic activity (Phonolite nephelinc) replaced by a lake sedimentation related to the formation of a dam natural, created a few hundred meters downstream from Boulahmayel. For valorizing of the hinterland of the plains towns, it is necessary to develop a geo-eco-tourism integrated who provide its harvest and will argue the benefits resources of rural people of high-mountains in their own environment. It is proposed in the perspective to initiate a sustainable development approach, while ensuring the conservation and ensure the continued natural existence of the surroundings environments and to appreciate the potential of the region. Thus that beauty hidden in the hinterland upstream to a tourist eager for discoveries, to encourage them to practice their stay as short as it is, in a safe space and very quiet. In order to materialize the concept of geo-eco-tourism, we must deploy the efforts of local people, policy makers and scientists in order to produce tourist maps with different interesting routes, to implant signal panels, to develop tracks campsites and trails within the forests, creating shelters and rest houses in private homes, as well as provide training for specialized guide's rescuers.

Inventory and assessment of geosites and geodiversity sites of the Ait Attab syncline (M’goun unesco Geopark, Morocco) to stimulate geoconservation, geotourism and sustainable development

“…In recent years, the geoheritage concept has started to develop at the national level and has triggered a profound reflection on geoconservation, especially with the emergence of geosite inventory attempts by some Moroccan universities (Piqué, Bouabdelli 2000, Taj-Eddine, Pignone 2005, Pique et al 2007, De Waele, Melis 2009, El Wartiti et al 2009, Tahiri et al 2010, El Hadi et al 2011, Nahraoui et al 2011, Zahra et al 2011, Errami et al 2012, Saddiqi et al 2015, Bouzekraoui et al 2018, Rais et al 2021. These studies often apply inventory and evaluation methodologies that aim to promote and enhance geoheritage (Coratza, Giusti 2005, De Wever et al 2006, Brilha 2016, Reynard et al 2016, Henriques, Brilha 2017, Ruban 2017, Bruschi, Coratza 2018; but most of them focus only on sites of international importance, while other sites are neglected despite their regional and local importance.…”

Methodology for a Moroccan inventory and assessment of geological sites: a proposal to be applied in other African regions

“…Finally, several contributions have been performed as PhD Thesis and papers in the last two decades through personal initiatives (Malaki, 2006;El Wartiti et al, 2009Tahiri et al, 2010;El Hadi et al, 2011, 2012, 2015Nahraoui et al, 2011;Nahraoui, 2016;Enniouar et al, 2013Enniouar et al, , 2015Errami et al, 2013Errami et al, , 2015aErrami et al, , 2015bFadli, 2014;Noubhani, 2015;Saddiqi et al, 2015;Bouzekraoui et al, 2017Bouzekraoui et al, , 2018M'Barki, 2017;Khoukhouchi et al 2018;Arrad et al, 2018Arrad et al, , 2020Aoulad-Sidi-Mhend et al, 2019Beraaouz et al, 2019;Oukassou et al, 2019;Khourais et al, 2019;Berred et al, 2016Berred et al, , 2019aBerred et al, , 2019bBerred et al, , 2020Berred 2020;Baadi et al, 2020;Mirari et al, 2020;Mehdioui et al, 2020;Lahmidi et al, 2020;Bouari et al, 2021;Berred et al, 2022).…”