16 of the 21 wetlands (2,147,911 ha) listed on the RAMSAR site are housed in protected areas and thus benefit from conservation activities. 7 of them are part of FAPBM grantees. Other wetlands do not benefit from this protection nor even listed as RAMSAR. In this cyclone season, the celebration of Wetlands Day on 2 February is a stark reminder of the need to provide the means to preserve these areas.
Lakes, ponds, peat bogs, watersheds, swamp forests, mangroves, etc. are all wetlands. As such, they house biodiversity, provide water (for livestock, agriculture, electricity, food, etc.) and are buffer zones in case of flooding. The national theme of the 2022 celebration also denounces human activities that cause wetlands loss: “Acting for wetlands means acting for nature and humanity. Do not fill in with soil to guarantee access to water for all, do not destroy to maintain life”.
FAPBM supported the national celebration organised by the Ministry of Environment,MEDD and joined the digital campaign led by the latter and the RAMSAR sites’ managers to raise awareness and inform about the 21 RAMSAR areas and the advocacy for wetlands preservation and restoration, notably through their integration in the System of Protected Areas of Madagascar.
