ARIJ Investigation "The Shadow of Concrete Looms over Morocco's Burning Forests" Wins an Award in Morocco

The ARIJ investigation “The Shadow of Concrete Looms over Morocco’s Burning Forests” by journalist Yassir Al-Makhtoum won the Hassan II Prize for the Environment in its fifteenth edition.

The investigation analyzed available data on forest fires from 2012 to 2022, examining the rate at which fires spread, their geographic distribution across the Kingdom, and the areas they consumed.

It also explored the circumstances behind the outbreaks of fires in 2022; the largest of their kind in the country’s history, launching an in-depth inquiry into the parties benefiting from the retreat of forest cover due to the fires, and holding the government accountable for its management of fire-prevention programs.
The award was received by fellow journalist Yassir Al-Makhtoum, Managing Editor of Alyoum24.

The investigation was published on both ARIJ and Alyoum24.

Established in 1980, the prize aims to encourage innovative initiatives that contribute to environmental protection and related projects, improve living conditions for communities, promote scientific research in environmental heritage protection, and enhance environmental awareness, education, and sustainable development.

The prize includes six categories: the Scientific and Technical Research Prize, the Civil Society Action Prize, the Media Prize, the Corporate Initiatives Prize, the Local Authorities Initiatives Prize, and the Exemplary Administration Prize.

The investigation “The Shadow of Concrete Looms over Morocco’s Burning Forests” also won the Silver Award at the ARIJ Investigative Journalism Awards in 2024.