Madagascar protects wetlands crucial for people and birds

January 2007. One of Madagascar’s most spectacular wildlife areas, almost 3,000 km2 of tropical wetlands, forests, savannas and caves, is to be protected by law. ‘This is a particularly important milestone for conservation in Madagascar because these are the first large freshwater wetlands to be protected that also support a significant and dependent human population.’ said Vony Raminoarisoa, Director of BirdLife International Madagascar Programme.

 

The Government of Madagascar has granted the area a protected status for two years; a preliminary step toward the area being granted permanent protection. Another wetland, Lake Alaotra in eastern Madagascar, was also granted similar protection.

The Mahavavy-Kinkony Wetlands hold all of the wetland bird species found in Western Madagascar, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth. They represent key habitats for Madagascar Teal, Sakalava Rail, Madagascar Sacred Ibis and Madagascar Pond Heron. The wetlands are also one of the last refuges for Madagascar Fish Eagle, a Critically Endangered bird of prey with a population of just 220 birds.

In 1999 the wetland was declared an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International, on account of the diverse array of threatened birds found there.

The newly protected area also holds vitally important populations of other threatened species like the Critically Endangered lemur, the Crowned Sifaka, and the Madagascar Big-headed Turtle. The area’s protection is part of President Marc Ravalomanana’s ‘Durban Vision’, whereby Madagascar will increase its total protected areas to six million hectares by 2008. The Mahavavy-Kinkony Wetlands are a vital resource to the Malagasy people for fishing, hunting and agriculture.

 

The news represents a significant milestone for BirdLife International, who have been working with the Madagascar Government and with local communities, promoting efforts to manage the Mahavavy-Kinkony Wetlands in a sustainable manner whilst monitoring and conserving biodiversity. ‘It’s a fantastic achievement for all involved.’ said Mr Rivo Rabarisoa, Site Conservation Programmes Manager, BirdLife International Madagascar Programme. ‘This decision is supported by conservationists worldwide, by local communities within the protected area and across the main Ministries in Madagascar who are concerned with the sectoral interests of wetlands (including agriculture, fisheries and extractive industries). We hope this achievement can be replicated elsewhere.’

BirdLife has been working in Madagascar since 1997, and on conservation of this site since 2003, investigating and encouraging practices that allow the wetlands to be managed in a sustainable manner, to the benefit of people and wildlife.

‘This protected area isn’t just good news for the wildlife; it’s a step forward for people and livelihoods.’ said Roger Safford, Programme & Projects Manager, BirdLife International. ‘The Government of Madagascar is setting an example to the world in asserting and making sustainable the real economic benefits for people and communities in protecting such biodiverse and productive regions as these wetlands.’