Category: News

Antananarivo, 25 July 2024 – Madagascar Protected Areas and Biodiversity Fund (FAPBM), in partnership with the Varuna program financed by the French Development Agency and coordinated by Expertise France, the Institute of Research for Development (IRD) through the Varuna – Sciences of Sustainability project and REMAPSEN Madagascar (African Media Network for the Promotion of Health and the Environment – Madagascar), officially launched the second edition of the reporting competition called ” Media #ForProtectedAreas ” on 25th, July at a press conference held at the Hotel Colbert Antaninarenina. This FAPBM initiative aims to encourage and support journalists with a passion for biodiversity to produce original reports on local communities and experts involved in biodiversity conservation, as well as to highlight remote protected areas. Like the previous edition, this call for reporting projects highlights the crucial role of the media and journalists in raising public awareness and advocacy for biodiversity conservation. Celebrating …

On 20 June 2024, FAPBM held its 22nd Annual Meeting of Contributors at its capital in Fort-Dauphin. This privileged meeting provided an opportunity to consolidate the foundations of its donors’ confidence and to review the past year to discuss prospects with its contributors. The event was also marked by a visit to the Andohahela National Park, a World Heritage Site, allowing participants to immerse themselves in the ecological wealth that FAPBM is working to protect. Significant impact on biodiversity conservation With the continued support of its donors, notably the German bank KfW, AFD – Agence Française de Développement, the Malagasy government through the Ministry of Finance, the World Bank, Conservation International and WWF, FAPBM has reached a crucial milestone in the growth of its activities. From 14.4 billion ariary at the end of 2022, FAPBM’s protected areas (PA) funding had grown to around 22.6 billion MGA by the end of …

JOINT PRESS RELEASE Antananarivo, 22 May 2024 – Madagascar Protected Area and Biodiversity Fund (FAPBM) and La Teinturerie – Association d’artistes have officially launched the third edition of “Art and Biodiversity” call for projects on the occasion of the International Biodiversity Day (IBD). Since 2022, “Art and Biodiversity” project has offered annual financial support and technical assistance to three (3) cultural initiatives that contribute to the protection and conservation of biodiversity in Madagascar. “Be part of the plan”, everyone has a role to play As in previous editions, the call for projects is based on the theme of the 2024 IBD: “Be part of the plan1 ”, a call to action to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. Thanks to a partnership with the Association le Loko, based in Diégo, the project takes on an even dimension broader. The competition encourages artists to explore the links between biodiversity and human life, …

The FAPBM is proud to announce that Rindra Ny Aina MIARIVOLOLONA has joined its team. With a degree in Organisational Communication from CNTEMAD, Rindra joined the FAPBM in 2023. She has solid experience in the communications sector, having worked for a leading agency in the organisation of international events in Madagascar and then for a multi-sector group. She has chosen to put her skills to work for biodiversity by joining the FAPBM. Her role is to deploy communication strategies to publicise the Foundation’s actions and get local communities involved. A keen communicator and fervent admirer of biodiversity, she says: ‘I’ve always respected nature and the environment, so when I had the opportunity to combine my passion for communication and preserving our wonderful biodiversity, I decided to do my bit for a better future for Madagascar and its communities, because there’s so much we can do to benefit everyone’. Rindra’s arrival …

Dear partners, As we close this year of 2023, which has been rich in achievements and challenges, I would like to take a moment to reflect on our shared journey and express my gratitude to each and every one of you who has helped to make this year a memorable one for the Madagascar Protected Area and Biodiversity Fund (FAPBM). This year has been marked by significant achievements and challenges successfully met thanks to the various alliances put in place, in particular, the financing of the Hempel Foundation and the effective implementation of the Fire Emergency Fund in favour of Madagascar National Parks (MNP), the Menabe Antimena Protected Area and the protected areas of the Boeny region. These are memorable initiatives that bear witness to our determination to preserve our natural wealth. FAPBM also highlighted the role of local communities as major players in conservation, thanks to the success of …

Bordered by the RN2, near Mantadia and Analamazaotra Parks, Maromizaha Reserve (Alaotra Mangoro Region), once degraded by slash-and-burn agriculture (tavy) and unsustainable exploitation, now thrives as a focal point where nature and local communities prosper hand in hand, offering promising ecotourism potential. Managed with passion by GERP and financially supported by FAPBM since 2015, Maromizaha Protected Area stands out for its dense humid forest, housing endemic treasures such as lemurs, orchids, and precious woods. Maromizaha provides essential ecosystem services to surrounding communities. Its water sources support the daily lives of local populations, while the forest wealth of the protected area allows villagers to heal using medicinal plants. These elements form the basis of a unique ecological experience for visitors. Meeting committed communities, a human experience Maromizaha, with its exceptional biodiversity, is the result of community commitment to conservation. Supported by FAPBM, the community engages in sectors such as beekeeping and …

The decisive role of aggregators At the heart of the DIANA region, Kobaby Project, funded by AFD, embodies an innovative approach by bringing together key economic players in some sector “aggregators”. These aggregators, acting as intermediaries between production organizations and market operators, play a crucial role in conserving natural resources while stimulating local economic development. Four sector aggregators have been trained, receiving dedicated grants to promote four essential sectors: fragrant rice led by Soa Network, honey, fruits led by Helvetas, and fishing led by Sahanala. Conservation of natural resources The initiative goes beyond simply promoting sectors; it is resolutely committed to preserving the local ecosystem. Farmers and dealers, aware of the vital importance of the irrigation network for the surrounding paddy fields, have committed to reinvesting a portion of their profits to ensure the security of wetland areas in the Northern Region. These contributions are essential to finance conservation efforts …

Madagascar Protected Areas and Biodiversity Fund (FAPBM) has provided equipment grants to experts and local communities in protected areas. In this regard, 30 protected areas have received material support for firefighting and mobility, for a total amounting to 664 million MGA. This in-kind contribution complements the annual grants awarded to strengthen efforts to preserve the essential ecosystem services that protected areas provide. An essential contribution to firefighting Protected areas play a crucial role in biodiversity preservation and ecosystem protection, supporting key economic sectors such as fishing, tourism, and hydroelectric energy. However, managers of these protected areas face various challenges, including firefighting for terrestrial protected areas. Through improved fire management, FAPBM-funded protected areas have been able to limit deforestation to approximately 0.67% since 2021 (FAPBM Annual Report, 2022). FAPBM strengthens these encouraging results by targeting a substantial part of this grant to the most vulnerable forest ecosystems, particularly the dry forests …

In preparation for the imminent launch of its mobile application, Madagascar Lemurs Portal’s team conducted a test of the tool with FAPBM and GERP staff at Analamazaotra National Park in Andasibe, led by Lova Truong Rakotoarimanana, Lemurs Portal Project Manager. Madagascar Lemurs Portal is an innovative mobile application that allows users to discover lemurs and contribute to the inventory of species found. Financed by FAPBM and Re:wild the American Foundation, and implemented by GERP and a team of dedicated experts, this innovative application contributes to the promotion of ecotourism and environmental education, and above all to the proper management of lemur habitats, which are protected areas. Helping the ecological monitoring of lemurs in protected areas For almost two years, the experts at Madagascar Lemurs Portal have been implementing a series of innovations to enable everyone to contribute to the ecological monitoring of lemurs in protected areas. Protected area managers, in …

Announced on July 20, the winners of the Art and Biodiversity project – Vony Ranala, Encoder Experiment and Hoby Andria – are now presenting their works to the public. As a reminder, the Art and Biodiversity project is a joint initiative of the Association La Teinturerie and FAPBM, which aims to raise awareness of the need to preserve biodiversity and protected areas through cultural activities. The artists’ residency began with a visit to the Maromizaha Protected Area in Andasibe. It gave the three winning artists a better understanding of the importance of biodiversity and protected areas in the lives of communities, a new feature of this second edition. They had the opportunity to discover the ecosystem services provided by the reserve, in particular its water sources and medicinal plants, and to talk to the Maromizaha community and learn more about the income-generating activities of the local communities. What an enriching …

Sambava, October 6, 2023 – The Platforms of Protected Area Managers (PFGAP) of the North, including DIANA, SAVA, SOFIA and Analanjirofo regions, have laid the foundations for an interregional platform with the support of WWF, and held a workshop on the economic importance of protected areas of the North, in collaboration with Madagascar Protected Areas and Biodiversity Fund (FAPBM). The governorates of the DIANA, SAVA and SOFIA regions, the decentralised collectivities, the regional ministerial departments and the private sector have joined forces with protected areas (PA) managers and their technical and financial partners to promote sustainable and effective natural resource management at local and regional levels. An interregional platform for better cooperation  Nearly 45 PAs protect critical ecosystems in these regions. The management of PAs in these 4 regions deserves joint consideration. Despite the opportunities to serve the needs of local communities and sustainable development, these PAs face common challenges …

Antananarivo, September 29, 2023 – The Association of Journalists for the Environment (AJE), Madagascar Protected Areas and Biodiversity Fund (FAPBM) and VARUNA project are proud to announce the winners of the Media #ForProtectedAreas call for reporting projects. The organizers would like to thank all participants for their interest, as well as the partners and jury for their support. An advocacy for protected areas The biodiversity reporting grant aims to (i) increase the visibility of protected areas in the malagasy and international media ; (ii) shed light on critical remote sites by enabling local journalists to access them ; (iii) support advocacy efforts towards decision-makers on the importance of biodiversity for communities. After a rigorous selection process, the jury selected the winning reporting projects in the three established categories: print, radio and audiovisual. The selection was based on the following criteria : originality of the subject relevant to the topic, writing style …

The natural forests of Madagascar, including moist evergreen, dry, and spiny forests, are primarily preserved within terrestrial protected areas. These areas, managed by conservation experts such as Madagascar National Parks and national and international NGOs, face the dual challenge of preserving and restoring natural forest ecosystems in close collaboration with local communities. Preserving forests from fire to fight deforestation Fire is the main form of pressure and is subject to dedicated management systems within each protected area. Fires in protected areas may have multiple origins: natural, intentional, or resulting from uncontrolled proliferation. Protected areas that encompass dry forests, dry thickets, and sclerophyllous forests are particularly prone to fires. Rainforests are also affected by fires during the dry seasons for the purpose of slash-and-burn agriculture. Experiences of protected area managers show that physical securing of protected areas, effective presence, and community mobilization are crucial for an effective fire management system. In …

Nature is under threat, but we can all take action to help protect it. Madagascar has identified a list of 123 critical areas where biodiversity have to be protected. Conservation experts collaborate with government agents and local communities to preserve the ecosystem services these areas provide, benefiting both local and global populations. When we act for nature, we also act for people. Human activities are the cause of global biodiversity loss and nature degradation, but we can act to reverse this trend. On Biodiversity Day 2022, the teams at UN Biodiversity published a list of 22 actions in favor of biodiversity, aligned with the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. FAPBM has adapted these actions for the context of Madagascar. It recognizes that these actions are not exhaustive, and some may not be feasible in certain regions or communities. Maintain and Preserve Important Biodiversity Areas, Especially Protected Areas Restore an area, near …

Biodiversity, or biological diversity, encompasses all living organisms and the environments in which they exist. It also includes the interactions between species and their ecosystems. It encompasses species diversity, genetic diversity within individuals, and the diversity of habitats and ecosystems. Preserving Biodiversity to Maintain Ecosystem Services Human beings draw benefits, known as ecosystem services, from nature. These services can be classified into three categories. First, provisioning services refer to the products provided by nature, such as clean water, fuel, timber, and medicine. Second, cultural services encompass the non-material contributions of nature, including aesthetic, spiritual, recreational, tourism, and educational aspects. Last, regulating services are the benefits provided by ecosystems, such as climate regulation, flood mitigation, soil erosion prevention, coastal protection against cyclones, pollination in agriculture, and disease control. The maintenance and sustainability of these ecosystem services requires the rational use and consumption of the resources provided by biodiversity. The Government of …

Protected area managers, as conservation experts, play a crucial role in preserving the biodiversity of the “Big Island” of Madagascar. Who are they, and what is their purpose? Protected Area Managers: A Community of Experts The livelihoods of communities depend on nature and biodiversity. The beauty and uniqueness of Madagascar’s biodiversity make it exceptionally rich, yet sadly threatened. Currently, protected areas represent the best means of conserving biodiversity within its natural habitats. National parks, nature reserves, community conservation areas, and more are part of the solution. According to a 2022 study by FAPBM, over 70% of Madagascar’s documented biodiversity is found within protected areas. Madagascar National Parks (MNP), along with NGOs and/or associations run the 123 protected areas within the Madagascar System of Protected Areas of (SAPM). These organizations dedicated to environmental resource protection work with the government and local communities to preserve species and ecosystems. Their expertise and skills …

Financing protected areas (PAs) in Madagascar, whether terrestrial or marine, remains a challenge for PA managers and supporting organizations. How can we ensure sustainable funding for the System of Protected Areas in Madagascar (SAPM) as a whole, and specifically for marine protected areas (MPAs)? Expanding Marine Protected Areas in Madagascar A marine protected area (MPA) is a delimited coastal or aquatic territory dedicated to ensuring the long-term conservation of nature, ecosystem services, and associated cultural values. MPAs aim to protect species, particularly marine habitats, preserve or improve water quality, promote sustainable use of resources or sustainable development of maritime activities, and maintain cultural heritage. Madagascar has identified critical places for marine biodiversity that require absolute protection and financing as marine protected areas. The existing 22 MPAs cover nearly 1.38 million hectares of marine habitats, representing approximately 10% of Madagascar’s marine surface. These MPAs preserve, among others, 30% of coral reefs …

In 2005, Madagascar Protected Areas and Biodiversity Fund (FAPBM) was established to provide sustainable financing for Madagascar’s protected area network and nature conservation. The fund has a capital of 140 million USD (FAPBM, 2022), and its revenues support the operation of protected areas. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) defines a Protected Area as a clearly delimited geographical space, recognized, dedicated, and managed through effective legal or other means to achieve long-term conservation of nature, along with associated ecosystem services and cultural values. Protected areas are classified into five categories based on their use. Madagascar Protected Areas   Madagascar has 123 protected areas, including 101 terrestrial and 22 marine, covering a total area of 7,612,346 hectares, encompassing terrestrial, aquatic, and marine ecosystems. The protected terrestrial areas cover 6,233,317 hectares, representing 10.8% of the land territory. The protected marine and intertidal areas cover 1,379,029 hectares, representing 11.8% of the …

Greening Madagascar is the challenge that governments have set for themselves, highlighting their commitment to restoring lost forests. Equally important, however, is the conservation of the remaining natural forests. Let’s explore Madagascar’s primary forests. The Thousand and One Forests of Madagascar With a surface area of 587,040 km², Madagascar ranks among the five largest islands in the world. The extensive coverage, spanning 14 degrees of latitude, explains the diversity of its climates, resulting in a variety of forest ecosystems. Rainforests: Along the eastern coast of Madagascar, moist evergreen forests extend from Marojejy (Sava Region, Northern Madagascar) to Andohahela (Anosy Region, Southern Madagascar). Comprising endemic biodiversity found in high altitude rainforests are well-known terrestrial protected areas on the island. In fact, the Eastern Rainforests are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dry forests: The majority of forests in western and southern Madagascar are dense dry forests that shed their leaves …

Biodiversity Foundations: Addressing the Funding Gap As the pressure on natural environments keeps on increasing, mobilizing funding for biodiversity conservation is a significant challenge. In this context, Conservation Trust Funds (CTFs) are important tools for generating resources to support protected areas. We need to be aware of everything about it! Financing Terrestrial, Marine, and Coastal Biodiversity Conservation Conservation Trust Funds (CTFs) are legal independent private institutions that aim to provide sustainable funding for conservation actions. Their main mission is to raise funds from international donors, governments, or the private sector, which are then invested diversely in capital markets to generate financial returns. Subsequently, these returns are distributed as grants to protected areas or biodiversity NGOs. These funds complement existing support and revenue derived from tourism. Thanks to their stability and ability to generate long-term resources, biodiversity foundations contribute significant additional means for conserving terrestrial, marine, and coastal biodiversity. Lowly affected …