The primary forest of Maromizaha or “rainforest of the Dragon trees” (150 km east of Antananarivo on the Route National 2, 6.5 km from the Analamazaotra Reserve), at an altitude between 890 – 1210 m, harbours a unique community of highland and lowland species: 13 lemur, 77 bird, 60 amphibian and 20 reptilian species have been discovered so far. The Maromizaha forest is now managed by GERP (Groupe d’Etude et de Recherches sur les Primates de Madagascar). Understanding that conservation must have the participation and support of local people in order to be effective, we have considered issues of development of the local communities, together with community involvement and awareness, general education outreach, as well as the need to enhance the capacity of local conservation managers and guides. To provide adequate resources for the effective management of the protected area, we focused on developing positive and sustainable societal attitudes towards wildlife in the local communities both establishing small infrastructures and implementing capacity-building activities. While Malagasy operators are now planning to develop small hosting opportunities for tourists visiting Maromizaha, the number of researchers and students in the forest has increased from 8 in 2009 to 208 in 2011. The presence of researchers generated an important income for the local community. We have now plans for new surveys on the biodiversity of Maromizaha forest and its surrounding and we keep on disseminating affordable policies for villagers to improve their health, conserve biodiversity and increase their income.

SUCCESS AND PERSPECTIVES IN THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MAROMIZAHA FOREST, MADAGASCAR

GIACOMA, Cristina;TORTI, VALERIA;GAMBA, Marco;BOUNOUS, Giancarlo;
2012-01-01

Abstract

The primary forest of Maromizaha or “rainforest of the Dragon trees” (150 km east of Antananarivo on the Route National 2, 6.5 km from the Analamazaotra Reserve), at an altitude between 890 – 1210 m, harbours a unique community of highland and lowland species: 13 lemur, 77 bird, 60 amphibian and 20 reptilian species have been discovered so far. The Maromizaha forest is now managed by GERP (Groupe d’Etude et de Recherches sur les Primates de Madagascar). Understanding that conservation must have the participation and support of local people in order to be effective, we have considered issues of development of the local communities, together with community involvement and awareness, general education outreach, as well as the need to enhance the capacity of local conservation managers and guides. To provide adequate resources for the effective management of the protected area, we focused on developing positive and sustainable societal attitudes towards wildlife in the local communities both establishing small infrastructures and implementing capacity-building activities. While Malagasy operators are now planning to develop small hosting opportunities for tourists visiting Maromizaha, the number of researchers and students in the forest has increased from 8 in 2009 to 208 in 2011. The presence of researchers generated an important income for the local community. We have now plans for new surveys on the biodiversity of Maromizaha forest and its surrounding and we keep on disseminating affordable policies for villagers to improve their health, conserve biodiversity and increase their income.
2012
3° Convegno Ricerca Parchi
Bussolengo (Vr)
4-6 Ottobre 2012
Benessere dell'individuo e conservazione della specie
Parco Natura Viva – Garda Zoological Park
15
15
Cristina Giacoma; Jonah Ratsimbazafy; Valeria Torti; Marco Gamba; Giancarlo Bounous; Caterina Spiezio; Cesare Avesani Zaborra; Rose Marie Randrianaris...espandi
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Giacoma_etal_2012_3CNRP.pdf

Accesso riservato

Tipo di file: MATERIALE NON BIBLIOGRAFICO
Dimensione 110.66 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
110.66 kB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2318/131994
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus ND
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? ND
social impact