The eco-label recognizes environmental excellence at Morocco’s only inland Blue Flag site.
Fez – Aguelmam Azegza Lake, located in Morocco’s Middle Atlas region, has been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag for a second consecutive year, reaffirming its status as a national model for eco-tourism and environmental stewardship.
Located within the Khenifra National Park, the lake received the distinction during an official ceremony on July 2. The event was attended by Khenifra Governor Mohamed Adel Ihouran, alongside representatives from the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection, the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), local officials, and members of civil society.
The Blue Flag, an international symbol of high environmental and safety standards, is awarded annually to beaches, marinas, and select inland sites that meet strict criteria for water quality, waste management, public amenities, and environmental education.
Aguelmam Azegza remains the only inland site in Morocco to hold the designation, showcasing its unique role in promoting sustainable tourism in the Atlas Mountains.
Authorities have implemented a series of upgrades to maintain the site’s status, including improved access roads, new sanitation and camping facilities, a waste management system, and designated recreational zones. Environmental monitoring has also been enhanced to protect the lake’s biodiversity and surrounding forest ecosystem.
The project has relied on collaborative efforts from municipal councils, the National Agency for Water and Forests, and local cooperatives such as the Asrak Atlas cooperative, which has introduced eco-friendly services for visitors. Supported by Germany’s GIZ, the cooperative promotes responsible activities like hiking, birdwatching, and mountain biking.
Plans are also underway to add a floating swimming platform, aimed at increasing the lake’s recreational appeal without compromising its ecological balance.
Officials from the Mohammed VI Foundation said that the Blue Flag is not a permanent certification, but a standard that must be earned anew each year. Its renewal depends on ongoing community engagement, effective governance, and sustained public awareness.
Since joining the Blue Flag program in 2002, Morocco has steadily expanded its participation, with over 30 sites now certified nationwide.
Aguelmam Azegza’s inclusion signals an important shift in national eco-tourism, especially amid growing challenges such as drought and climate change.
