Madagascar National Parks (MNP) and the Madagascar Protected Areas and Biodiversity Fund (FAPBM) have signed a financing agreement to fight fires in MNP’s protected areas. This signature reflects the firm determination of MNP to fight the fires that threaten the Protected Areas in its network. These fires, which account for 2% of Madagascar’s annual fire rate in these precious areas, represent a serious threat to biodiversity, ecological balance and the way of life of local communities. With this critical situation, MNP is committed to a global and strategic approach, highlighting the importance of Protected Areas and mobilising all stakeholders for preventive, active and restorative action.
MNP-FAPBM synergy: Strengthening the means to protect Protected Areas
MNP will receive funding from FAPBM to implement its fire-fighting strategy. An emergency fund will be available to the 17 most vulnerable protected areas in the MNP network, representing 1.48 million hectares of wildlife habitat ecosystems. Thanks to this funding, managers and local communities on the ground can mobilise quickly and respond effectively in case of a fire.
With this funding, FAPBM has taken an essential step in the fight against the risk of fire in Madagascar’s protected areas. This emergency fund complements the financial and material support already granted to sites in the MNP network: annual subsidies ensure the physical presence of MNP agents in the field on a sustainable basis, and an allocation of fire-fighting tools and equipment ensures that field agents have adequate material resources. Discussions are also underway for additional funding under the Support Fund for Strengthening (FAR) for applicant sites, which would strengthen surveillance capacity to prevent fires.
Preventive action: Preserve before the fire ignites
Prevention is the first pillar of MNP’ fire management strategy. A series of actions are being implemented to prevent fires from starting and to prepare interventions in the event of an emergency. Awareness campaigns are run to inform and educate local communities, partners and the general public about the importance of biodiversity in the Protected Areas, the disastrous consequences of fires on the environment, and the ecosystem services that nature provides. Madagascar National Parks works closely with the Local Park Communities (CLP), which are essential in patrolling and monitoring the Protected Areas. Analysis of historical fire data is used to identify areas of recurrent risk, enabling targeted actions to be planned, equipping these areas with adequate infrastructure and providing the Parks and Reserves concerned with practical resources for future active fire-fighting.
Active fire-fighting – post-fire: Act quickly to contain and restore
When fires are declared, the active fire-fighting phase mobilises all the players involved, including the fire brigades and local communities. A fire unit is set up to ensure fluid communication between the teams on the ground and the partners, enabling a rapid and coordinated response. Once the fires have been brought under control, an assessment of the damage is carried out by Park staff, local communities and the police, followed by an investigation into these environmental crimes. The burnt areas are the subject of an ecological restoration programme, gradually restoring the environmental balance and preserving biodiversity.
MNP calls on everyone, from local communities to state authorities, to work together to preserve these jewels of Malagasy biodiversity. The protection of Protected Areas is a collective responsibility to protect our natural heritage and guarantee a sustainable future for future generations.
