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Conservation of Ankarafantsika Dry Forest landscape, FAPBM Organisational Capacity Development

With this project deforestation will be drastically reduced by 2027 while FAPBM's capacity will be strengthened to more effectively finance, monitor and evaluate the impacts of its funding on conservation and on improving the well-being of local communities.

  • 000,000

    inhabitants in 140 villages will directly benefit from the project

  • 000,000

    hectares of the Ankarafantsika Dry Forest Landscape will be protected

  • Where
    Ankarafantsika, Madagascar
  • Focus area
    Biodiversity
  • Duration
    2024 - 2027
  • Economy
    DKK 12 mio
Prime partner: FAPBM - Madagascar Protected Areas and Biodiversity Fund

Context

FAPBM is deeply committed to addressing the urgent conservation challenges in Madagascar. The Ankarafantsika National Park, a critical biodiversity hotspot in the Northwestern dry forest ecoregion, faces significant threats from anthropogenic activities such as slash-and-burn cultivation, illegal forest conversion, and charcoal production. These threats have intensified due to the migration of populations from southern Madagascar, where prolonged droughts have rendered traditional livelihoods untenable.

Established as a National Park and an IUCN Category II Protected Area, Ankarafantsika is home to numerous endemic and endangered species, making its conservation vital. The park provides essential ecosystem services, including sustaining water resources, climate regulation, and supporting agricultural production, particularly in the Marovoay rice granaries. Preserving this park is crucial for both biodiversity and the socio-economic well-being of local communities.

The Project

The project aims to address the escalating threats to Ankarafantsika National Park by focusing on several key objectives.

  1. It seeks to strengthen fire management methods and empower local communities through co-management initiatives. This includes enhancing the capacities of administrative authorities to enforce laws and traditional social norms (Regional “Dina”) to mitigate pressures on the park.
  2. Additionally, the project will support the development of ecotourism to ensure sustainable financing for ongoing conservation efforts. A significant outcome is the collective commitment to drastically reduce deforestation by the park's 100th anniversary in 2027.
  3. Furthermore, the project will bolster FAPBM's capacity to efficiently finance, monitor, and evaluate its biodiversity conservation efforts, aiming to improve the well-being of local communities around protected areas. This involves identifying capacity gaps and working with experts to enhance processes and tools for greater impact.
  4. Through these comprehensive efforts, the project aspires to secure the long-term preservation and sustainable management of Ankarafantsika National Park and its invaluable natural resources.