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Community –Based Conservation in Mahabo
Burned vegetation at the edge of Mahabo Forest
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Dr. Armand Randrianasolo conducting a workshop
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Destruction of the forest along the eastern coast of Madagascar has
been rapid in the last several decades. It is estimated that over 80%
of original littoral forest has been lost, yet these forests contain
approximately 1,200 plant species, or 10% of Madagascar’s flora; of
these species, about half are found only in this vegetation type. With
support from the Beneficia Foundation, MBG has been able to establish a
community-based conservation program in the Mahabo forest region.
Workshops have been given to encourage collaboration with villagers to
develop methods for in situ protection of forest species, as well
as teach villagers to cultivate rare plants to encourage their growth
around the village. These workshops promote programs for sustainable use
of forest resources in rural villages, where villagers depend on the forest
for food, fuel wood, and medicine. To date project staff and local
volunteers have planted out 3000 saplings of Eucalyptus species (E.
corymbosa and E. camaldulensis) between the villages and the
forest to establish a buffer zone. In addition, they have set up five
nurseries to provide the saplings for forest restoration and established
five community gardening associations that include 122 women in five
villages around Mahabo forest.
Villagers fertilize seedbeds in a community vegetable garden
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View of Mahabo Forest (in far background) from a neighboring village
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