An important meeting between the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development and the protected areas managers took place on October 7 in Antananarivo. Chaired by the Minister, Marie-Orléa Vina, the meeting enabled the establishment of a regular and productive dialogue to strengthen collaboration and coordination between the 2 parties. Among others, DELC, SAGE, Madagascar Voakajy, Ecovision Village, Blue Ventures, WWF, MBG, Sadabe, Asity Madagascar, MNP, Famelona, Rainforest Trust, RBG, MNHN, Anjavavy, Fondation Tany Meva, SEAR, MICET, L’Homme et l’Environnement, Durrell, TPF, GERP, WCS, MNP were present.
Through thematic discussion groups, the staff of the Ministry and the representatives of the managers, as well as the partners of the protected areas such as FAPBM, have dialogued in a spirit of co-construction. FAPBM has facilitated the meeting.
Madagascar protected areas
In 2022, Madagascar had 124 terrestrial and marine protected areas and eight protected areas in the process of being created, extending over about 12% of the national territory. Grouped within the System of Protected Areas of Madagascar, they are generally managed by Madagascar National Parks, or NGOs/Associations often in collaboration with local community organizations. They contribute to the development of the country through the ecosystem services provided. A recent study on the economic contribution of protected areas has shown that they contribute nearly 500 million USD per year to the national economy.
A meeting to make important issues move forward
Solutions to the challenges faced by protected areas that threaten good management of biodiversity and natural resources were at the heart of the discussions: integration of protected areas into public policies, securing protected areas’ land tenure, management contracts, physical security of protected areas, especially in the face of fire and illegal exploitation, and sustainable financing of protected areas.
Towards a joint fundraising campaign
