For nature conservation, financing Protected Areas (PAs) is a crucial issue given the growing interest of NGOs, decision-makers, and citizens in environmental matters. In developing countries, PAs receive on average less than 30% of the funding needed to ensure basic management of conservation actions. Why is funding for Protected Areas essential, and how can we achieve sustainable financing for Madagascar’s Protected Areas System (SAPM)?
The Importance of protected areas and the financial gap of PAs
PAs are vital for our survival due to the ecosystem services they provide: resources for food, water regulation and cycling, carbon storage, mitigation of climate change effects, and the landscape beauty. The existence of PAs ensures the survival of humanity in general and of neighboring communities for instance (water supply, soil fertility, medicinal plants). They ensure the productivity of the primary sector and resilience to climate change.
PA managers face a considerable challenge: finding the funding to carry out their monitoring, protection, community development or restoration work. In developing countries in general, and specifically in Madagascar, funds are insufficient to cover operational costs such as personnel salaries, vehicles, equipment, etc. Entrance fees provide an insufficient source of income to operate PAs, especially for those that have not yet gained enough public recognition.
Madagascar: An example of sustainable funding to be supported
PA managers can benefit from occasional or regular financial support for conservation. Typically, international organizations, foundations, or civil society provide donations to PA managers. However, if such funding is not constant, PA managers efforts may not be enough efficient. A sustainable PA funding mechanism needed to support the long-term sustainability of Madagascar’s Protected Areas System (SAPM).
Madagascar Protected Areas and Biodiversity Fund (FAPBM) is an innovative mechanism for funding protected areas. It has invested capital in international markets, and the generated income is used to finance Protected Areas. Thanks to the generated revenue, the initial capital remains intact, ensuring the sustainability of PA funding. Despite the efficiency of FAPBM’s financing, not all 123 Protected Areas among the SAPM have yet received the necessary resources for proper management. Therefore, FAPBM continues to conduct fundraising campaigns and seeks potential contributors and partners with the aim of achieving sustainable financing for the SAPM.
