Bouznika beach has obtained this Eco-label for the 18th consecutive year since 2007 thanks to ONEE’s citizen involvement in the “Clean Beaches” program piloted by the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection, whose theme of the 2024 edition focuses on the fight against plastic waste in the seas and oceans.
The “Blue Flag” label is an international reference in the field of the quality of seaside sites, issued by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) to distinguish seaside sites which meet quality and safety criteria. Obtaining it requires upgrading the candidate site by fulfilling a certain number of criteria, particularly in the areas of hygiene, cleanliness and safety as well as awareness of sustainable development and sports, cultural and artistic activities. Its renewal is dependent on the maintenance and continuous improvement of achievements on the basis of an annual reassessment by the FEE of the state of the beneficiary beaches.
To guarantee the criteria for awarding the “Blue Flag” label and contribute to the well-being of summer visitors during the summer period, ONEE has carried out a major program at Bouznika beach.
In terms of the development and maintenance of the facilities, the Office has set up sanitary blocks, entertainment facilities, first aid centers, open-air showers, drinking fountains and a space for people with specific needs (pagodas, tables, parasols, etc.).
ONEE also ensures the daily cleaning of the beach and its environment, the supply of selective sorting bins placed all along the beach as well as the cleaning of Oued Saikouk as part of environmental protection.
In the area of awareness and education for sustainable development, the Office has developed a rich awareness program for the protection of the oceans against plastic pollution. This program aims to raise awareness among summer visitors of the importance of environmental protection and teach them environmentally responsible behaviors to adopt on a daily basis, through waste collection campaigns at the beach, workshops sorting and recycling of waste, round tables, educational presentations, etc.
Also, ONEE is conducting an awareness program on water saving for the benefit of summer visitors to Bouznika beach to make them aware of the rational use of water and the preservation of water resources against pollution. especially in the current state that the country is experiencing linked to water stress.
At the same time, a sports and cultural entertainment program is provided daily at the ONEE educational village at Bouznika beach including collective games, painting and sand sculpture workshops, sports competitions (water sports and sports on sand) and theatrical plays on environmental themes.
This year, and in order to strengthen the awareness-raising system at Bouznika beach, ONEE has set up two additional local sites including different awareness-raising activities and sporting, cultural and artistic activities. These centers make it possible to extend the Office’s awareness-raising activities to this beach and thus reach a larger audience.
Furthermore, the Office has set up a library at Bouznika beach equipped with books on different themes, as well as a space designed to facilitate summer visitors’ access to reading and thus promote learning, particularly in the environmental field. In addition, this year’s campaign is marked by the provision of tablets to young summer visitors with access to a large digital library, in order to diversify ONEE’s educational tools at the beach level.
Regarding signage, awareness panels and orientation signs were installed at Bouznika beach, particularly for people with specific needs, as well as a giant screen and a interactive terminal to provide summer visitors with digital awareness tools and dynamic displays.
Other actions are carried out in the field of controlling the quality of bathing water through the strengthening of monitoring of the quality of bathing water at Bouznika beach throughout the summer period.
ONEE’s commitment to the national “Clean Beaches” program is part of the Office’s strategy aimed at preserving the environment and contributing to the sustainable development of our country. This commitment was crowned by the award to the Office of several Trophies for Bouznika beach: “Lalla Hasna Sustainable Coast Trophy in 2022, 2018 and 2016”, “Initiative Trophy in 2011, 2009 and 2007” and “Innovation Trophy in 2008 and 2003”.