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Why did Middle Atlas communities move away from winter transhumance during the French protectorate?

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Map showing the Atlas Mountains across Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia in North Africa, with color shading to indicate elevation changes. Major mountain ranges, cities, rivers, and physical features such as the High Atlas, Anti-Atlas, Saharan Atlas, and surrounding deserts are labeled. An inset locator map highlights the region's position in northern Africa. — Atlas Mountains The Atlas Mountains.

During the French protectorate in Morocco (1912–1956), Middle Atlas communities shifted away from winter transhumance primarily because the low-lying plains (azarhar) that were traditionally used for winter grazing were converted to agricultural use.1

As these lands were brought under cultivation, the traditional seasonal migration pattern became impractical, leading the population to adopt sedentary agriculture instead. While the practice of moving to high-altitude pastures during the summer continues, stock raising is now increasingly conducted in a single location.1