ZAATOT, for Man and Monkey in the High-Atlas
Ecotourism support
The cohabitation with the monkey and more generally the protection of biodiversity and the environment can only be done with the local populations, the associations which represent them, alongside the authorities and the administrations which supervise their existence.
Based on this observation, work began in 2021 to better understand local players (their objectives, successes, difficulties, needs and expectations). This diagnosis makes it possible to reconsider the angle of action of ZAATOT and to make local associations true inspirations and partners in the intervention. The idea is to explore together new ways of developing the Valley, a development that would take greater account of the value of the natural and cultural heritage, its protection, and its promotion to bring activities and income complementary to current tourism: a ecotourism that favors people and nature.
Mid-July 2023, a course of naturalist and ecotourism hikes was created in cooperation with our partners who support us in this process: the Setti-Fatma Guides Office, the National Agency for Water and Forests, the AESVT of Marrakech , The Natural History Museum of Marrakech and the Gîte des Cascades de Setti-Fatma.
This hiking trail aims to make tourists aware of the rich environment (fauna, flora, geology, cultural wealth, etc.) of Setti-Fatma and the proximity to the Toubkal National Park.
Guides working in conjunction with ZAATOT will be able, using a naturalist booklet and pairs of binoculars, to accompany tourists on these hikes and provide additional information on the Valley.
In August 2021, ZAATOT and the CPIE Bresse du Jura met with all the heads of local associations to start a social diagnosis with a view to better taking into account the expectations and the will of the local population to participate in the valley sustainable development project.
