Green coasts for Western Madagascar

Nature conservation and sustainable resource use at the Indian Ocean

Madagascar is part of the Madagascar and Indian Ocean Islands Hotspot, one of the 36 biodiversity hotspots worldwide. The second largest mangrove area and the largest coral reefs in the western Indian Ocean provide a rich biodiversity on more than 1,140,000 km² of marine habitats and 6,000 km of coastline. More than 50% of Madagascar's population live close to the coast and depend on the ecosystem services provided by the natural landscapes that surround them. In addition to terrestrial habitats and Madagascar's biological diversity, marine resources and habitats are under enormous threat. Around 70% of Madagascar’s population lives in poverty. Moreover, the country suffers an average of three major climate-related disasters (cyclones, floods and droughts) per year, another cause of persistent hardship.

The project is targeting the coastal zone of the Mahavavy-Kinkony Complex (CMK) protected area in the north-western Boeny region of the country. CMK covers 302,900 ha and includes the Mahavavy river delta, extensive mangrove gallery forests, dry forests, wetlands and the huge Lake Kinkony.

Due to the remoteness of the coastal region and inaccessibility during the rainy season, poor soils and low yields in agriculture, as well as hardly any development opportunities, the local population suffers from poverty and lack of job and income opportunities. Impacts of climate change, lack of adaptation measures and lack of knowledge about sustainable agricultural and fishing practices (e.g. traditional fire clearing, destructive fishing techniques) reinforce these effects. Intense use of the fragile coastal and marine ecosystems, such as mangrove belts, fish spawning grounds in the river delta and offshore coral reefs lead to severe degradation, erosion and decline in essential ecosystem services.

With support from ASITY Madagascar, CMK was transformed into a community-managed protected area in 2007. Together with the local population, a management plan encompassing the zoning of use was developed, which regulates the use of buffer and marginal areas and prohibits access to zero-use zones. However, management transition is still not complete in all parts of the protected area and the municipalities that are already self-governing still need regular support.

Our approach

Our aim is to enable the coastal communities of the CMK to manage their resources sustainably in order to conserve coastal natural resources, adapt to the impacts of climate change and improve their livelihoods.

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