Internal control missions for the good governance of the funds granted

Internal control missions - FAPBM

Evah Ralalarisoa, internal control officer, and Lova Rakotonirina, internal control assistant, have carried outmissions in the protected areas over the last quarter. These field visits assess the effectiveness of the use of funds granted. The internal audit manual details the modalities of these missions.   The audit missions are generally structured in 3 parts: control of supporting documents for a convincing justification of expenses and interview with the managers concerning the current management structure in the field, the operational management at the site level as well as the regularity of the human resources status and files, and the capacity building of the financial team.   The visited protected areas respect a predefined rotation program except in exceptional cases. During the last quarter,the following were visited: Maromizaha managed by GERP (Eastern Madagascar, Alaotra Mangoro Region): Follow-up of the 2022 funding and inventory of the honey house materials and beekeepers’ equipment and …

Best practices: the fire-watchers in Isalo National Park

Good governance - FAPBM

On the summits of the canyons of Isalo national park (southern Madagascar, Ihorombe and Atsimo Andrefana Regions), Kakaza dominates the massifs wonderfully sculpted by the erosions. Binocular on the eyes, telephone in pocket, he scans the landscape worthy of a western. The sclerophyllous forest, the savannah, the trees along the watercourses, they all pass by. Scrupulously, he watches for the slightest smoke.   In Madagascar, the war against fire is a top priority for protected area managers. If fires were controlled, protected area management would be easier, donors would be more supportive, and funds would be more secure. Every year, managers must be creative in preventing and managing fires. In the Isalo National Park, an important provider of foreign currency at the national level, Madagascar National Park has set up an early warning system. Focus on these firemen of the shade! The fire-watchers, the first link in the fight against …

New collaborators within FAPBM

FAPBM

FAPBM is proud to introduce to you the talents that have joined in 2022. At the Executive Management level, Mikanto Rambeloson, Financial Assistant and Lova Bryand Rakotonirina, Internal Audit Assistant have strengthened the team.   At the Board of Trustees, Vice President Ratafika Dimbiniaina has resigned as a trustee, for professional reasons. He has been replaced as Vice President by Mr. Bruno Rajaspera. And a new trustee, in the person of Mr. Alexis Befeno has joined FAPBM Board of Trustees. We invite you to discover them.   Alexis Befeno, Trustee   Currently team leader in the Industry Division of PROPARCO, a subsidiary of AFD Group dedicated to the private sector. He has extensive experience in portfolio management and business development. He is actively involved in the promotion of entrepreneurship in Madagascar, notably through the mobilization of investors.   Alexis Befeno has a Master of Business Administration from ESSEC Business School …

FAR for Mandrozo with a view to support the economic recovery of fire victims

Lac - FAPBM

Through the funding of a Support Fund for Strengthening, FAPBM will be able to support the members of the Veromanga grassroots communities of the Mandrozo protected area (Western Madagascar, Melaky Region). On September 24, a terrible fire deprived 40 households of their homes. To provide economic support to these impoverished communities, the manager, The Peregrine Fund (TPF), has requested funding support from FAPBM.   Supporting communities, supporting the forest   Economic support was needed to prevent possible the possible unsustainable uses of the forest by the affectedpeople. The need was such that the fishermen affected by the disaster in Veromanga risked overrunning the fishingclosure period scheduled until November 15. TPF offered basic commodities to the population for their most urgent needs, thanks to the grants.   Part of the grants was thus devoted to the provision of building materials. As for timber, the manager will support the communities to obtain …

FIS for the Corridor-Ankeniheny-Zahamena (CAZ) to strengthen the protected area security

Conservation - FAPBM

FAPBM has granted funding under the Special Intervention Fund to the CAZ protected area (Eastern Madagascar, Atsinanana Region). This funding aims to put an end to illegal quarries opened inside the protected area, in the forests of Ambohibe and Bekorakaka. The threat of deforestation caused by this illegal mining is such that the CAZ’s Joint Control Organization (OMC) has had to request additional resources to continuously secure it on a continuous basis.   The importance of the Ankeniheny-Zahamena Corridor   The CAZ Forest is located on the eastern borders of the Vohitra River which feeds the Andekaleka hydroelectric dam. This dam provides energy to Antananarivo, Moramanga and Andasibe. It is also connected to the Toamasina power grid, providing access to energy along an axis serving agro-industrial, mining and port activities.   When it was built, Andekaleka had a capacity to produce 100 MW of electricity. This capacity has been progressively …

A FIS for Ambatovaky with a view to strengthening surveillance in the protected area

Fleur - FAPBM

Beginning of illegal crystal exploitation and clearing have threatened the Ambatovaky forests. To counteract the expansion of these illegal practices, the manager of the protected area, Madagascar National Parks, submitted a request for a Special Intervention Fund to FAPBM. The request was accepted so that patrols inside the protected area can be intensified.   Ambatovaky (East of Madagascar, Analanjirofo Region) is home to dense rainforests, one of whose main functions is to provide water sources for the populations in the surrounding areas.   Illegal mining and land clearing in the protected area   Prior to November 2022, Ambatovaky patrollers discovered crystal mining in the protected area for the first time in five years. Miners felled trees around the crystal mining perimeter and various holes were found with crystal remains. A mixed brigade mission was dispatched and the transporters were arrested, then referred to Fénérive- Est first instance court. However, the …

Ankarana, for a sustainable solution to illegal sapphire mining and illegal logging

Madagascar - FAPBM

Return to Ankarana (North of Madagascar, DIANA Region), managed by Madagascar National Parks, for a follow-up of the activities carried out within the framework of the Special Intervention Fund in September 2022. With funding from FAPBM, a mission of mixed special brigades was dispatched there to put an end to the exploitation of an illegal sapphire quarry and to the illegal logging in the vicinity of the hard core.   If underground sapphire quarries threaten the Ankarana caves, deforestation threatens ecosystem services. However, the Ankarana massif is an essential site in the ecotourism of DIANA region. When a mixed brigade mission sparkles of a crisis   Mobilized in case of exceptional pressures, the Mixed Special Brigade missions under the aegis of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development bring together members of the Joint Control Organ (OMC), gendarmes,law enforcement officers, judicial police officers, concerned ministerial departments, park agents, local authorities …

Sustained efforts by FAPBM to save Menabe Antimena dry forests

Arbre - FAPBM

FAPBM is striving to support one of the most important forest blocks in western Madagascar. Over the last 12 months, it has granted a significant amount of money to maintain the remaining forest cover of Menabe Antimena protected area (western Madagascar, Menabe Region). In 2022, FAPBM counts no fewer than 5 site visits to prepare and follow up its funding for the protected area of Menabe Antimena.   The importance of FAPBM’s investment is explained by the importance of the benefits provided by this forest block. Menabe Antimena dense dry forest helps secure water for local communities. On the Bemaraha and Alley of baobabs axis, Menabe Antimena welcomes thousands of tourists every year, an income benefitting local populations. It alsopreserves a forest of mangroves and two RAMSAR wetlands: Lake Bedo and the Tsiribihina Delta. Its ecosystem is home to unique species, such as the Microcebus Berthae, the world’s smallest primate. …

Madagascar Lemurs Portal, engaging citizens in lemur conservation

Word - Alain Liva Raharijaona - FAPBM

Originally created by scientists for scientists, Madagascar Lemurs Portal (www.lemursportal.org) is a lemur databaseproject implemented by the FAPBM-GERP consortium and funded by the American Re:wild Foundation and FAPBM.   The portal is gradually migrating to become an educational medium accessible to the general public. For Madagascar Lemurs Portal, conservation is everyone’s business, hinting at the role that lemurs play in reforestation. The teams carried out awareness missions during the last quarter.   Engaging the general public in lemur conservation   Like every year, the last Friday of October is dedicated to the National Lemur Day. For 2022, the celebration of the National Day of Lemurs was held on October 28 and 29 in Morondava (Menabe Region, southern Madagascar)through exhibitions, a carnival, an awareness workshop and environmental actions. The topic «Lemurs, unique national heritage! Let us protect their habitats” was chosen for this celebration.   Being a project working on the …

Synergy and positive communication for protected areas

Equipe - FAPBM

The world news about Madagascar has not been very positive lately. Indeed, Madagascar has been and continues to be faced with several challenges. However, there is a considerable amount of good news regarding efforts to preserve its biodiversity.   Under the co-leadership of FAPBM and MNP, communications officers from several conservation stakeholders have agreed to progressively align communication efforts to significantly strengthen support from different strategic audiences and target groups for the implementation of Madagascar’s protected area system as the number one approach to achieving the national biodiversity vision.   A creativity seminar   Group works have highlighted opportunities for improving awareness towards targeted groups; and a plan has been agreed upon on the next steps to take in order achieve this, in terms of the contribution of Madagascar’s protected areas as agents of change in reducing poverty among local communities and leading to sustainable development of local andregional economies. …

Tourism in the northern protected areas: Ankivonjy, Lokobe

Madagascar - FAPBM

  The contribution of tourism in protected areas to the national economy is estimated between 42-174 million USD/year by the study on the economic contribution of protected areas, produced by FAPBM&MNP on 2022. 68% of tourists aim to visit at least one protected area to discover the endemic and Madagascar exceptional fauna and flora. Indeed, protected areas do attract more tourists; this is what the monitoring and evaluation and internal control missions have observed. Serge Ratsirahonana and Evah Ralalarisoa have conducted during the last quarter of the year visits to Lokobe and Ankivonjy (Northern Madagascar, DIANA Region).   Lokobe, for a walk in the forest   In Lokobe, Madagascar national Parks, the protected area manager, continues to maintain the tourist circuits. The accessibility of these circuits prevents tourists from the need to use a guide’s service. The forest of Lokobe shelters remarkable species particularly the Eulemur macaco, which can be seen …

Questions to James Ranaivoson: impact investing to fund Madagascar protected areas?

Impact report - FAPBM

The release of FAPBM’s Impact Investing 2021 Report provides an opportunity to interview one of our experts: the Investment Committee President, Mr. James Ranaivoson, a member of the FAPBM Board of Trustees since 2019. Mr. Ranaivoson is a former advisor to the European Investment Bank’s (EIB) Private Equity, New Products & Special Transactions department. He currently works as a Financial advisor in Luxembourg as founder and managing partner of WINDOF CAPITAL. He is also a member of Graines de vie Board, Luxembourg, an active NGO in reforestationprograms in Madagascar.   Q: Could you explain impact investing?   A: In 2022, FAPBM was able to finance around 30% of the total costs of 48 protected areas in Madagascar, covering more than 3.6 million hectares of Malagasy forests and coastal areas for the benefit of 3.5 million people. This funding comes primarily from FAPBM’s capital revenues.   Some donors prefer to contribute …

Word from the Executive Director, Alain Liva Raharijaona

Gestionnaires d'aires protégées - FAPBM

Dear partners,   Reflecting on the year of 2022, I realize that I can look forward with optimism for the new year to come.   Collaboration between with the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development of Madagascar – FAPBM – MNP has made great strides, which are crucial to strengthening political and financial support for the entire protected area system. From the release of the white paper on the economic contribution of protected areas, the launch of theMadagascar Coalition for protected areas, and through the coordination workshop of protected area managers andthe Ministry, the initial results of these concerted efforts are encouraging. During 2022, funding of FAPBM has been maintained and even increased, in difficult economic and social context. This underlines the essence of the mission of FAPBM and shows the importance of our work, enabled by so many loyal donors and investors in our fund, and achieved by our …

Launch of Madagascar Coalition for Protected Areas

FAPBM

Montréal, December 10, 2022 – Today the Madagascar Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development launched the Madagascar Coalition for Protected Areas during a well-attended side-event of the COP15 UN Biodiversity Conference. Madagascar has 123 Protected Areas across the nation, in the right places that are worth protecting as they represent the country’s biological diversity, natural heritage, and provide nature-based solutions to sustainable economic development needs of the country. From the 2003 Durban vision of tripling Madagascar’s protected areas to the 2014 Sydney pledge to strengthen marine protected areas, the Madagascar government and non-government organizations have worked on creating and managing the system of parks and reserves across the nation. Supported by mostly international donors, thousands of competent, dedicated local experts, working tirelessly with local communities and the beneficiary impacts are starting to show in some of the protected areas. These success stories provide critical insights in how protection of ecosystems …

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