A Community Based Project in the Maromizaha Forest (Madagascar)

Malagasy biodiversity is dramatically declining due to the ongoing deforestation. The primary forest of Maromizaha (150 km east of Antananarivo and only 20 km from the National Park of Andasibé-Mantadia) extends from 800 to 1200 m.a.s.l. and harbours a unique community of highland and lowland species: 13 lemur species, 77 bird species, 60 amphibian and 20 reptilian species have been monitored so far. The lemurs include: Indri indri , Propithecus diadema diadema , Avahi laniger , Varecia variegata editorum , Eulemur rubriventer , Eulemur fulvus , Hapalemur griseus , Cheirogaleus major , Microcebus rufus , Allocebus trichotis , Lemilemur microdon . Future surveys will investigate the presence of Prolemur simus , recently rediscovered in the region, and Daubentonia madagascariensis , as well as the most impressive carnivore, the fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox) . Maromizaha forest was gazetted as a protected area in 2001 and GERP (Groupe d’Etude et Recherche sur les Primates de Madagascar) was designated as the managing authority. As it is well known that conservation requires the cooperation of a wide range of institutions and individuals, it is evident that a key role in conservation is played by the local population, whose sustainable economic development is directly proportional to the increase of probability in species survival. The project’s activities include education of Malagasy students and communities, training of local research guides for biodiversity monitoring, training of guides for encouraging tourist visits, development of family-based agriculture and implementation of alternative sources of energy. In this way, conservation of Maromizaha’s extraordinary fauna and flora will be integrated with the reduction of poverty in the area. The project is part of BIRD ‘Biodiversity Integration and Rural Development’ programme supported by the European commission under grant FED/2009/217077.