The Moroccan forest plays ever since a
great social role because it allows the survival of Berber populations in
the mountain. To these high altitudes (between 2000 and 3000 m), the thuriferous
Juniper constitutes the main resource from woods whose have the inhabitants.
Because of its regression, the mountain dweller life become more difficult
and its disappearance will lead to a massive rural depopulation.
Valley of Azzaden (High Atlas, Morocco)
(Photograph N. Montès)
The numerous uses of thuriferous
juniper by the local populations show the privileged place that this tree
occupies in life of villages in high atlasic valleys: Its foliage serves as
forage for goats, and its woods have numerous interests: piece of timber for
frames, firewood, or after distillation (it produce tar), as healing and antiseptic
(photograph hereafter).
(Photo J. M. Savoie)
