Madagascar experts from conservation organizations Asity Madagascar, DELC, MNP, and MNHN created a platform to protect important areas in Boeny region on 28 October. Supported by FAPBM, the platform’s mission is to integrate protected areas with sustainable regional development. The platform will advocate growing support for protected areas and their neighboring communities at multiple levels.
Boeny Region has six protected areas: Antrema, Belemboka Bombetoka, Ankarafantsika, Mahavavy Kinkony Complex, Baly Bay, and Namoroka, which provide key ecosystem services for the local people and the region. To name a few:
Boeny’s protected areas values
Antrema provides the raw materials used locally for basketry, which is the primary income-generating activity for local women.
Baly Bay is a water reservoir important for rice cultivation and a pool of fisheries resources. The “raffia zone” raw materials provide different products, generating income for local people.
In Bombetoka Belomboka, the Avicennia marina species provides shelter for silkworms which constitute an essential source of income for local people.
In the Mahavavy Kinkony Complex, mangroves support the harvesting of shrimps, crabs, and fish by the communities of Ampitsopitsoka, Antsakoamanera, Andolomikopaka, Boeny Ampasy, and Boeny-Aranta. This protected area also provides local communities with drinking water and offers options for the production of raffia handicrafts.
The park of Namoroka is a water reservoir that feeds Kapiloza and Mandevy rivers which supply water to the plains that are critically important for the agricultural activities of three communities in Soalala District.
Ankarafantsika regulates the water cycle that irrigates the rice-fields on the plains of Marovoay, an important granary of the nation, as well as areas as far off as Soalala and Besalampy. It is an accessible national park with many eco-tourist attractions that support the income of local communities.
FAPBM provided extra support to the protected area managers through the platform to help achieve their shared and individual goals and prove how protected areas can be agents of change for regional development.
FAPBM support to protected areas effective management
Establishing a sound management framework is essential to mobilize technical, financial, human, and organizational resources in favour of effective protected areas that produce tangible impacts for Madagascar. Experience sharing through the platform will help managers of all protected areas that are supported by FAPBM, so that funded PAs can perform even better.
Boeny platform finds inspiration from DIANA platform. The managers that are part of the Platform of DIANA Protected Areas Managers (PGAPD) have many success stories to share with other regions. Since 2017, the PGAFD has been an excellent example of an initiative through which the voices of protected area managers and communities could be heard. As one lasting outcome of their collaboration, every year, local communities celebrate a special day to exchange success stories in the region.
Platform for change
Managers of protected areas in the Boeny region identified the need to join efforts and ensure the eco-system values of protected areas for regional development were better understood and supported. Further to several discussions, it was clear that a legally established platform with a steering committee was the best format to serve this need. The platform brings together six protected areas managers and other important stakeholders such as representatives of the Ministry of Environment and local communities.
Herimaharazo R. Tokifaharana, the General Secretary of the Region and Marcellin Andriambololona, Director of Development in the Region (DDR) represented Mokhtar Salim Andriantomanga, the Boeny Region Governor. They were actively involved in modeling the statutes for the Platform and committed to facilitating the speedy creation of the Regional Decree.
While the work plan is being fine-tuned, issues on collaborative work and 2023 priorities were already selected and agreed upon by managers and local stakeholders: i) establishing a structure platform for communication, ii) regular best practices exchange and capacity building sessions, iii) joint advocacy around the DINA (social convention) application, fire-fighting improvement, and iv) fundraising support development.
