Moroccan Cities Face Backlash Over Palm Tree Planting, Environmental Groups Urge Native Shade Trees

The authorities of large cities like Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier, Marrakech, Agadir and Fez continue to plant palm trees in the streets, ignoring the calls from environmental protection associations asking them to put an end to this practice with devastating effects on the environment.

The associations have never ceased to urge the authorities to plant trees that will provide shade to the inhabitants and beauty to the city, instead of palm trees whose price per plant sometimes exceeds 10,000 dirhams. Yet the officials turn a deaf ear to these calls, continuing to plant palm trees in the middle of the city.

This practice is an "environmental crime," say experts, estimating that palm trees have no place in the city, but rather in desert areas and oases. They add that the palm trees planted in coastal areas end up dying, while they have been bought at high prices, denouncing a waste of public resources.