Bemanevika - Fondation pour les Aires Protégées et la Biodiversité de Madagascar

The Peregrine Fund

Area

35 605 ha

Geographic location

Diégo Province; Sofia Region; Bealanana District

International Label

Key Biodiversity Area, Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE) site, Ramsar site

Flagship Species

The Bemanevika PA is characterized by the presence of a complex of ecosystems formed by blocks and fragments of humid evergreen forests, large expanses of grassy savannahs, marshes and swamps, temporary and permanent lakes, as well as rivers and streams. This mosaic of ecosystems is rich in animal and plant species typical of the ecoregion. The wetlands complex, which includes the Bemanevika PA, has been recognized as an Important Bird Area (IBA) in 1999. In addition to a significant bird population, the site is the only breeding ground for the endemic duck, Aythya innota (CR) or Madagascar pochard. Three plant species found in Bemanevika have a restricted distribution.

Primates

7 species

1 en danger et 3 vulnérables

Birds

126 species

1 critically endangered (the Madagascar pochard or onjy), 6 endangered, and 6 vulnerable

Reptiles

29 species

2 critically endangered and 3 vulnerable

Amphibians

38 species

1 endangered and 10 vulnerable

Bats

3 species

Carnivores

3 species

1 vulnerable (fosa)

Plants

7 species

5 species endemic to Madagascar, including 1 critically endangered

Landscapes and habitats

Mid-altitude dense humid evergreen forest, lakes, swamps, grasslands, and secondary pastures

Pressures and threats

Bushfires, deforestation, selective logging, collection of forest products, hunting, conversion of wetlands

Economic value

The Bemanevika PA is an important water reservoir for the surrounding watersheds and feeds the main rivers of the region, such as the Sandrakota River and its three main tributaries (Morapitsaka, Ampatika, and Ambongamarina), which are the primary watercourses for the Antananivo-haut Rural Commune. The preservation of this water reservoir helps maintain the quality of irrigation for the surrounding agricultural areas.

Contribution of local communities

In terms of management, TPF works closely with local communities, particularly the VOIs (Village Organizations) located in and around the PA. These VOIs carry out conservation activities such as patrols and participatory ecological monitoring in their respective areas, as well as in the part of the PA that directly borders them, thus serving as a green belt for the core area. The communities also provide the main labor force for various activities carried out in the PA, such as ecological restoration and the establishment of firebreaks.

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