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Protecting Madagascar’s forests

Project

Biodiversity
Project start date
Status

Ongoing

Project duration
4 years
AFD financing amount
2000000 €
Country and region
Madagascar
Location
Marojejy
Type of financing
Grant
Beneficiaries
The NGOs, Etc Terra, Agrisud
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With this project, AFD is contributing to preserving natural forest ecosystems and improving living conditions for neighboring populations.

Context

Madagascar ranks as one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. The variety of climates, combined with the variety of reliefs, has fostered the development of a flora and flora that is unique in the world. Madagascar’s biodiversity is currently seriously threatened by anthropogenic activities, particularly deforestation, and the island’s exceptional resources are coveted (mining sector, precious stones and minerals, precious woods, etc.).

Madagascar’s authorities have ratified the major environment and biodiversity conventions and have developed an ambitious vision for environmental protection and the fight against climate change: Gelose Law of 1996, Durban Commitment, national climate change policy defined in 2010. However, since 2009, the many successive changes at the head of the Ministry have delayed tangible actions on the ground.

Description

The Holistic Forest Conservation Project (PHCF), the first phase of which started in 2008, aims to stem deforestation and ensure the future of local populations. Five sites had been selected for their biodiversity and vulnerability to deforestation. Following encouraging results, a second 4-year phase was consequently launched in 2013 with the aim of:

  • Reducing pressure on forests: with the implementation of conservation activities;
  • Promoting sustainable alternatives to the damaging exploitation of forest resources and meet the population’s needs;
  • Ensure the activities conducted are sustainable through carbon financing and participate in the national strategy.

Impacts

Natural Resources Management Transfer Contracts have been established and renewed in 13 communities. In the COMATSA area, the community ecological supervision is operational. In addition, 46 nurseries have been installed, with a production of some 35,000 seedlings. Over 600 Development and Conservation Contracts, setting out the reciprocal commitments between the project and the producer, have been signed and some 500 producers are currently being supported by the project. In terms of the “Carbon Finance” component, 4 scientific articles have been drafted and published in various reviews.