ALGERIA: 1 million hectares of steppes will be reforested by 2030

In Algeria, unsustainable exploitation of the steppe is the cause of desertification. The steppe space is therefore seeing its component change with increasing degradation of entire areas as is the case in the wilayas of El Naâma and Tébessa, where the Algerian government wants to fight against the advance of the desert. This is what justifies the relaunch, on October 29, 2023, of the green dam megaproject by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

As part of this project, 1 million hectares of steppes will be reforested, over nearly 1,500 km long and 20 km wide, between the wilayas of El Naâma and Tébessa, as well as in several other steppe areas in 183 communes and 1,200 localities in the wilayas of El Bayadh, Laghouat, Djelfa, Médéa, Bouira, M'sila, Batna, Khenchela, Sétif, Bordj Bou Arreridj and Biskra.

The forest conservation authorities, the agricultural services directorates of the 13 wilayas concerned, as well as the High Commission for Steppe Development (HCDS) will ensure the implementation of this mega reforestation project which will increase the potential of steppe zones in Algeria from 3.7 to 4.7 million hectares by 2030, that is to say in seven years.

Improving the living environment of populations

The tree species planted on this steppe corridor approximately 1,500 km long are forestry, pastoral and fruit trees, which will respectively make it possible to secure the banks of watercourses and the slopes of mountains, and to supplement with fodder livestock, and to supply households with fruit.

In addition to the fight against desertification, the megaproject, which resumes after 53 years, will also improve the living environment of more than 7 million people in the 13 targeted wilayas, through the creation of jobs, income and services. The reforestation project was first launched in June 1970 by Algeria's second president, Houari Boumediene, in power between 1965 and 1976.