Oronjia - Fondation pour les Aires Protégées et la Biodiversité de Madagascar

Manager

Missouri Botanical Garden (MBG)

Surface area

1,678 ha

Geographic location

Province of Antsiranana; Region of Diana; District of Antsiranana II

International label

Key Biodiversity Area (KBA), Priority Area for Plant Conservation (PAPC)

Flagship Species

The vegetation of the protected area is characterized by a degraded dry plant formation on sand and limestone.

There are 290 species of plants, 70% of which are endemic to Madagascar and some endemic species of the region including Dioscorea orangeana, which is heavily exploited by the local populations for their food during the lean season.

The fauna is composed of 2 species of lemurs, 37 species of reptiles, 5 species of amphibians and 77 species of birds.

This area of Northern Madagascar is recognized for its importance for the conservation of avifauna and herpetofauna.

Lemurs

2 species

1 endangered and 1 vulnerable

Birds

77 species

1 vulnerable

Reptiles

37 species

1 locally endemic species critically endangered; 5 other species are also critically endangered, 1 endangered and 4 vulnerable

Amphibians

5 species

1 endangered

Carnivorans

1 species

Bats

5 species

3 vulnerable, including the Madagascar flying fox

Other mammals

2 species

Plants

290 species

201 endemic to Madagascar (70%) among which 1 classified as critically endangered, 12 endangered and 6 vulnerable
1 local endemic

Landscapes and habitats

Low dense dry forest often degraded, dwarf xerophytic thicket, degraded mangrove, secondary grasslands, secondary thicket.
Particularity: The site contains many historical vestiges: French military vestiges dating back to the end of the 19th century until the independence of Madagascar. Existence of a funerary site in a limestone cave on the Mamelon Vert Hill

Pressures and threats

Charcoal production, logging for timber, clearing forests for cultivation, collecting wild tubers, hunting.

Economic value

The forest ensures the maintenance of springs supplying water to the riparian villages (for domestic needs) Being part of the Orangea Complex, the landscape of Oronjia has a very strong potential for ecotourism and even for seaside tourism.

Local communities'initiatives

The local populations take part in the management of the protected area through the KODINA, or committee for the enforcement of the Dina (social convention) in favor of the protection of the protected area’s natural resources . Several local associations make up this KODINA

Do you know...?

The Oronjia Protected Area is located on military land (RM5), and entry is strictly prohibited during military firing exercises. For the past few years, Sakalava Bay, which is on the border of Oronjia, has been hosting one of the tournaments for the World Kite Surfing Championship.

Category