Against the fires in Ankarafantsika

Madagascar National Parks or MNP has developed a strategy to fight against the fires in Ankarafantsika. The launch of this control strategy took place this Friday on 29 August 2020.

Eradicate fires in the park

The Director General of Madagascar National Parks presented the means of fighting fires during a ceremony which took place, Friday, in the Ankarafantsika National Park. The goal is to eradicate bush fires and frequent fires on site.

This involves using traditional methods to mobilize local communities. A vast reforestation and agro-forestry project as well as the planting of pastures for animals are part of this strategy.. The project consists of a green firewall that will protect young plants.

Side by side

In the presence of all stakeholders concerned, a pact or “Dina” was concluded in order to strengthen the protection of the forest. Everyone was committed to signing the “Dina”. Traditional leaders have been valued because they are respected within society. However, this collaboration will be carried out in compliance with the laws in force.

The Director General of Madagascar National Parks clearly explained that “Traditional methods and modern means are combined for protection against fires”.

Park agents and the Defense and Security Forces will now be side by side to secure Ankarafantsika Park.

In order to share their experiences in terms of fire management, firefighters from the Boeny region were also present. Indeed, their experiences are very useful in case a fire occurs in the Protected Area.

Dozens of young volunteers were also present in order to take care of the education of the local population regarding the importance of forest protection and the impacts of destruction.

The Minister of the Environment and Sustainable Development, Raharinirina Baomiavotse Vahinala, the Governor of the Boeny region, Andriantomanga Mokhtar, as well as the MP for Mahajanga, The game is open, the King of Boeny and representatives of the surrounding communities of Ankarafantsika, representatives of the immigrant population, the Mayors of surrounding Communes, Mahajanga University, the District Chief attended the ceremony.

The Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development said that forests attract many tourists (12%). “We will reproduce this method in other regions”.

And the Governor of the Boeny Region recalled that : “Perpetrators of crimes against the forest will be punished by law”.

The National Park of Ankarafantsika : A bird sanctuary to preserve

Spanning more than 135 000 HA, Ankarafantsika is a mosaic of dense and dry forests.

It is an ornithological sanctuary sheltering more than a hundred species of birds. It is also a lair for lemurs. We can observe 8 species of lemurs. And it also houses reptiles local endemics, including chameleons, iguanas, snakes and freshwater turtles.

The park also has a very diverse flora. There are 823 plant species. And 82% are endemic plants and 92% for Woody plants.

And it is also a cultural site. Indeed, apart from animals, trees and honey, the Ankarafantsika forest also shelters traditional places of worship or "Doany" in Malagasy.

(L'Express de Madagascar du 01/09/20)

We must preserve all this wealth.

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