Latest news with #ANEF
Ya Biladi
21-07-2025
- Climate
- Ya Biladi
Efforts intensify to combat forest fire near Tetouan with Canadair support
Since Saturday, efforts have intensified to contain a forest fire that broke out in the commune of Mellaliyine, located between Tetouan and Fnideq. Four Canadair planes from the Royal Gendarmerie have been deployed, along with specialized ground teams. Significant resources have been mobilized, as weather conditions have worsened the scale of the blaze, which has rapidly spread across a wide area. In a statement to the media, Fouad Al Assali, director of the National Center for Climate Risk Management, confirmed that operations are being stepped up to control the fire and prevent it from reaching residential zones. These coordinated efforts come amid heightened vigilance. This summer, the National Agency for Water and Forests (ANEF) has issued repeated warnings about the growing risk of wildfires in forested areas, particularly through the use of predictive mapping. Between July 15 and 18, high-risk zones were identified based on vegetation type, topography, and weather conditions. Since the beginning of the year, ANEF has recorded 111 wildfire incidents—fewer than the ten-year annual average of 130 outbreaks.
Ya Biladi
01-07-2025
- Climate
- Ya Biladi
Fire in Ait Isha du Sud forest controlled by Royal Air Force Canadairs
The fire that broke out on Saturday in the Ait Isha du Sud forest in the Tillouguite commune (Azilal) has been brought under control following the intervention of two Canadair aircraft from the Royal Air Force, which helped contain the blaze. According to the provincial directorate of the National Agency for Water and Forests (ANEF) in Azilal, efforts to combat lingering smoke are ongoing, thanks to the strong commitment of ANEF teams working in coordination with local authorities, civil protection, the Royal Gendarmerie, auxiliary forces, and the local population. The forest fire, which destroyed 13 hectares of mainly Aleppo pine forest, was triggered by a lightning strike, the provincial ANEF directorate confirmed. Ground operations were complicated by rugged, rocky terrain, high temperatures, rockfalls, and sudden shifts in wind direction, which temporarily forced teams to suspend their efforts. Due to the complexity of the situation, the provincial directorate requested aerial support. Two Canadair aircraft were deployed from Lake Bin El Ouidane, making seven water drops that helped contain the fire's spread and allowed ground teams to secure the area. Recently, ANEF identified an extreme fire risk (red level) in the provinces of Tanger-Assilah, Ouezzane, Larache, Chefchaouen, Taza, Taounate, Al Hoceïma, Kénitra, Béni Mellal, Azilal, Skhirate-Témara, Salé, Rabat, and Khémisset. This assessment was based on forest composition, combustibility, flammability, as well as topographic and climatic conditions. ANEF also detected a high fire risk (orange level) in the provinces of M'Diq-Fnideq, Tétouan, Fahs-Anjra, Sefrou, Khénifra, Ifrane, Agadir-Ida-Ou-Tanane, Taourirt, Oujda-Angad, Nador, Berkane, and Driouch, along with a medium risk (yellow level) in Sidi Slimane, Meknès, Essaouira, Benslimane, and Taroudant.
Morocco World
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Morocco's DGSN Steps Up Efforts to Combat Forest Crimes
At a strategic meeting held at the Royal Police Institute in Kenitra, Abdellatif Hammouchi, Director General of Morocco's National Security and Territorial Surveillance (DGSN), reinforced his agency's commitment to strengthening law enforcement efforts against crimes targeting the country's forest resources. Speaking during a dedicated study session, Morocco's top security official noted the need for police and partner institutions to adapt their methods to counter increasingly sophisticated environmental crimes. The event, held under the theme 'Protection of Forest Heritage and Wildlife: A Legal Responsibility and a National Duty', brought together officials from law enforcement, the judiciary, and Morocco's National Agency for Water and Forests (ANEF). Hammouchi noted the DGSN's investment in scientific and technological tools to bolster criminal investigations, alongside targeted training programs to enhance the skills of law enforcement personnel. He spoke about the importance of inter-institutional coordination in promoting environmental protection, in line with the national strategy 'Forests of Morocco 2020–2030', launched by HM King Mohammed VI. The strategy aims to ensure sustainable forest management and reconcile conservation needs with resource development, while preserving the country's natural capital. Toufiq Azroual, ANEF's Director of Human Capital and Logistics, said Moroccan forests face mounting threats from climate change, urban sprawl, and increasingly organized environmental crime. He noted the agency is modernizing training and operational methods to enhance the effectiveness of the forest police. The study day featured sessions on prevention, enforcement, and institutional cooperation in addressing environmental and wildlife-related offenses. (MWN with MAP) Tags: ANEFDGSNforest crimesHammouchiMorocco
Morocco World
20-06-2025
- Climate
- Morocco World
ANEF: Morocco Contains 8 Forest Fires Burning 20 Hectares in Last 24h
Marrakech – All forest fires registered across Morocco in the past 24 hours have been successfully contained, the National Water and Forest Agency (ANEF) announced Friday. The eight fires, including six in forest domains and two outside forest areas, affected approximately 20 hectares of land. The largest fire occurred in Tetouan province, burning 15 hectares of forest land. Authorities have contained the blaze, with operations to extinguish remaining hot spots still ongoing. Other affected areas include Khenifra (3.5 hectares), Chefchaouen (1.1 hectares), Khemisset (0.095 hectares), Casablanca (0.02 hectares), and Midelt (10 square meters), where a fire was naturally triggered by lightning. Additional fire outbreaks were reported outside forest domains in Taza and Sidi Slimane provinces. From January 1 to June 20, Morocco has recorded 111 forest fires, a figure below the ten-year average of 130 incidents. The total burned area stands at 130 hectares, representing just one-fourth of the average for the past decade. The successful containment comes despite ANEF's warning issued last Sunday. Based on scientific prediction models, the agency had identified high to extreme risk levels for forest fires between June 16 and 20 across several provinces. These include Azilal, Beni Mellal, Chefchaouen, Kenitra, Khemisset, Larache, Tanger-Assilah, Tetouan, M'diq-Fnideq, Taounate, Taza, Nador, Al Hoceima, and Ouezzane. ANEF is urging citizens to maintain maximum vigilance, particularly in high-risk forest zones. The agency stressed that people should not light fires in natural environments, avoid discarding cigarette butts or flammable waste, and immediately report any smoke or suspicious behavior to local authorities, forest agents, or civil protection services. The positive outcomes this year build on Morocco's impressive forest fire management record in 2024, when the country achieved an 86% reduction in burned areas compared to 2023. Last year, only 874 hectares were affected by 382 forest fires, making Morocco the Mediterranean country with the lowest burned area despite extreme weather conditions. For the 2025 season, ANEF has allocated MAD 160 million ($16 million) for prevention, surveillance, and firefighting efforts, with 90% dedicated to preventive measures. The agency continues implementing its 2023-2033 Intersectoral Master Plan to improve integrated fire risk management. Tags: ANEFforest fire in Moroccowildfire in Morocco
Local France
12-06-2025
- General
- Local France
What does it mean to have your French citizenship application 'adjourned'?
Applying for French nationality is a lengthy process with various different requirements and different routes depending on whether you are applying by residency, by marriage or by family ties. Here is the guide to eligibility. For most people, their application will either be accepted or rejected - but there is another category for people who are judged to be 'borderline' and that is to have their application adjourned. Advertisement The adjourned option only applies to people who are applying par décret (by residency), not to those who are applying based on family ties/ marriage (par déclaration) . Results There are overall four possible results for your application; accepted, 'unreceivable', rejected, or adjourned. Accepted ( accepté ) - Hopefully self-explanatory but congratulations, your request for nationality has been approved. You are now French and your name will be listed in the Journal Officiel. Unreceivable ( irrecevable ) - This means that either you have failed to meet the basic requirements for citizenship, or you have failed to provide evidence that you do. For example you have not lived in France for the minimum residency period or you have not provided proof that you speak French to the required level. If this happens, your application will be returned with an explanation of which requirements you have missed. Once you meet the basic requirements, you can apply again - there is no option to appeal this decision, you will just have to start your application again. However, having an ' irrecevable ' will not prejudice future applications. Rejected ( Rejetée ) - French authorities have studied your dossier and have chosen to reject you. This usually happens if you meet the basic requirements (eg residency, speaking French) but you are judged to have missed out on other important aspects such as being well integrated or having sufficient knowledge of France and French values. It could also be because you have a criminal record that is deemed incompatible with becoming French. This decision can be made at any point in the process, but the most common time is after the interview at the préfecture. You will be informed of your rejection either by a letter or a document in your online space on the ANEF website. The decision must be motivée , meaning French authorities must give you a reason for why they made this decision. You have the right to appeal, although you must file your appeal within two months. If your appeal is rejected you can apply again, but the French government warns that if you attempt to do so within five years, your application may be classée sans suite (automatically closed). READ MORE: Are you 'integrated' enough to get French citizenship? Advertisement Adjourned ( Ajourné ) - This might happen if you fall into a grey area when it comes to meeting the overall requirements for naturalisation. It's basically when the authorities decide that your application is not good enough right now, but it's likely that you will be able to reach the requirements given time. Similar to rejection, adjournment must be motivée , meaning you will get an explanation of the issue with your application. The law states that French authorities can "adjourn the request by imposing a time limit or conditions to meet. Once the time limit has expired or the conditions have been met, then it is up to the applicant to submit a new application." It's common for applications to be adjourned for between two and five years. Advertisement Although 'adjourned' makes it sound like you can restart your old application, that is in fact not the case. Once the adjournment period ends, you will have to start again and make a new application with updated documents. If you attempt to submit another request before the end of the time limit, then your application can be closed, or classée sans suite. While you can appeal the adjournment within two months of receiving it, this process is lengthy. Depending on your situation, it might be a better idea to simply wait and submit again. According to the law firm Gillioen Avocats , it takes about 18 months on average to have your appeal processed at the Tribunal administratif de Nantes. Common situations for adjournment The reasons for adjournment can be similar to rejection, so it depends on the generosity of the person reading your application. According to the immigration law firm Avocats Cujas , one common reason might have to do with the applicant's 'behaviour'. For example, illegal entry into France, time spent undocumented or previous minor criminal activity might lead to an adjournment, with the applicant asked to show a minimum amount of time with respect for the law. Advertisement Another common scenario is a lack of 'professional integration' or a 'lack of resources'. In these situations, you might be given two years to show that you consistently earn the French minimum wage (SMIC) or that France has become the 'centre of your economic interests'. While there is no exact amount requested, a recent memo sent out to préfecture employees across France indicated that people should be 'financially independent' and income should not be primarily based on social benefits (except for people with disabilities). The memo also specified that 'professional integration' for those of working age is assessed over the full five-year period (in standard applications), and that people classified as employees ( salariés ) should demonstrate at least one year on a permanent contract (CDI) or two years on fixed-term contracts (CDDs). The interior minister also called on local authorities to reject applications, "with some exceptions", when the applicants' income is "primarily derived from sources abroad, since this demonstrates they have not transferred the centre of their economic interests to France". For example, if you live in France and work remotely with primarily non-French clients, you might be seen as having the centre of your economic interests outside of France. If you send significant amounts of money to family outside of France, you might also be seen as lacking 'integration'. READ MORE: So you want to move to France and work remotely? The minister also reminded local authorities that behaviour that would lead to the withdrawal of a residency card should also lead to a rejection, rather than an adjournment, of a nationality request. If you are in a grey area where you are of working age but have minimal French work experience, or a remote position with most of your clients outside of France, it may be wise to strengthen other aspects of your application and prepare yourself for the possibility of adjournment. However it's important to note that French authorities are tasked with considering your entire application holistically - meaning that the above are guidelines rather than hard-and-fast rules. For example, a stay-at-home mother who speaks French fluently and is involved in her local community and voluntary activities might not be disqualified based on 'professional insertion', assuming she can demonstrate integration in other areas. What about applications by marriage? For those applying by marriage or family ties, the requirements are different and 'adjournment' is not listed as a possibility on the Service-Public government website. READ MORE: Are you entitled to French citizenship if you are married to a French person? If you "do not meet one of the conditions for citizenship laid down by the law", then the ministry has one year to refuse to register your request. For example, failing to meet the minimum French level, which was recently raised to B2, could be a reason. READ MORE: Latest: New French citizenship language rules DO apply to applications by marriage In this case, you have six months to contest the decision "before the competent court in your place of residence". The minister in charge of citizenship has two years to refuse your application if they began proceedings to 'oppose' your acquisition of French nationality. This would happen on the grounds of "unworthiness or failure to assimilate, other than linguistically". In this case, you have two months to contest the decision with the Council of State ( Conseil d'état ), and you must consult a lawyer to handle the procedure.
