Month: December 2023

Dear partners, As we close this year of 2023, which has been rich in achievements and challenges, I would like to take a moment to reflect on our shared journey and express my gratitude to each and every one of you who has helped to make this year a memorable one for the Madagascar Protected Area and Biodiversity Fund (FAPBM). This year has been marked by significant achievements and challenges successfully met thanks to the various alliances put in place, in particular, the financing of the Hempel Foundation and the effective implementation of the Fire Emergency Fund in favour of Madagascar National Parks (MNP), the Menabe Antimena Protected Area and the protected areas of the Boeny region. These are memorable initiatives that bear witness to our determination to preserve our natural wealth. FAPBM also highlighted the role of local communities as major players in conservation, thanks to the success of …

Bordered by the RN2, near Mantadia and Analamazaotra Parks, Maromizaha Reserve (Alaotra Mangoro Region), once degraded by slash-and-burn agriculture (tavy) and unsustainable exploitation, now thrives as a focal point where nature and local communities prosper hand in hand, offering promising ecotourism potential. Managed with passion by GERP and financially supported by FAPBM since 2015, Maromizaha Protected Area stands out for its dense humid forest, housing endemic treasures such as lemurs, orchids, and precious woods. Maromizaha provides essential ecosystem services to surrounding communities. Its water sources support the daily lives of local populations, while the forest wealth of the protected area allows villagers to heal using medicinal plants. These elements form the basis of a unique ecological experience for visitors. Meeting committed communities, a human experience Maromizaha, with its exceptional biodiversity, is the result of community commitment to conservation. Supported by FAPBM, the community engages in sectors such as beekeeping and …

The decisive role of aggregators At the heart of the DIANA region, Kobaby Project, funded by AFD, embodies an innovative approach by bringing together key economic players in some sector “aggregators”. These aggregators, acting as intermediaries between production organizations and market operators, play a crucial role in conserving natural resources while stimulating local economic development. Four sector aggregators have been trained, receiving dedicated grants to promote four essential sectors: fragrant rice led by Soa Network, honey, fruits led by Helvetas, and fishing led by Sahanala. Conservation of natural resources The initiative goes beyond simply promoting sectors; it is resolutely committed to preserving the local ecosystem. Farmers and dealers, aware of the vital importance of the irrigation network for the surrounding paddy fields, have committed to reinvesting a portion of their profits to ensure the security of wetland areas in the Northern Region. These contributions are essential to finance conservation efforts …

Madagascar Protected Areas and Biodiversity Fund (FAPBM) has provided equipment grants to experts and local communities in protected areas. In this regard, 30 protected areas have received material support for firefighting and mobility, for a total amounting to 664 million MGA. This in-kind contribution complements the annual grants awarded to strengthen efforts to preserve the essential ecosystem services that protected areas provide. An essential contribution to firefighting Protected areas play a crucial role in biodiversity preservation and ecosystem protection, supporting key economic sectors such as fishing, tourism, and hydroelectric energy. However, managers of these protected areas face various challenges, including firefighting for terrestrial protected areas. Through improved fire management, FAPBM-funded protected areas have been able to limit deforestation to approximately 0.67% since 2021 (FAPBM Annual Report, 2022). FAPBM strengthens these encouraging results by targeting a substantial part of this grant to the most vulnerable forest ecosystems, particularly the dry forests …