Sustainable management of Madagascar, association mitsinjo

Question 1

The problems in the Madagascan rainforests:

Answer 1

• tavy and deforestation: around 80% of deforestation in Madagascar is due to Tavy. Trees are cut down in a small plot, and the undergrowth is burned, and then crops are planted. The nutrients in the soil are quickly exhausted and weed growth takes over, the farmer now often decides to clear another plot.
• Population growth: Madagascar’s population is rapidly increasing and this is putting pressure in the amount of land available for agriculture, the pressure to feed families means that farmers try to get more from their tavy plots, which exhausts soil faster so more plots have to be cleared.

Question 2

The background to association mitsinjo:

Answer 2

Most rainforests in Madagascar are owned by the government. 20 years ago the Madagascar government set up a scheme for local communities to manage their own resources sustainably. International advice was that sustainable rainforest would only succeed if local people were in charge. One very successful project is association mitsinjo.

Question 3

How did association mitinsjo set up ecotourism:

Answer 3

AM started 15 years ago when a group of local wildlife guides, employed to take tourists round a reserve, planned a community-based nature tourism association (money from tourism’s brings in 1/3 of the association’s income each year)

Question 4

Advantages of ecotourism

Answer 4

Its members patrol the 10,000 Ha of their reserve area to look out for illegal logging and snares for animals. This has been very successful in preventing illegal logging and hunting.

Question 5

What was the rainforest restoration project that AM helped set up?

Answer 5

AM manage a rainforest restoration project which, in return for help with improving their crop yields, local farmers agree to set aside some of their land as a nursery for growing young rainforest trees. More than 1 million new trees have been planted from 150 local species on an area of 1000Ha.

Question 6

What is sustainable agriculture that AM has helped set up?

Answer 6

AM has educated farmers about a sustainable alternative to Tavy called system of rice intensification (SRI).
Using this technique, more food is grown and their is no need to clear more land.

Question 7

Benefits of Association mitsinjo

Answer 7

AM is involved in funding better health care, including a health clinic and environment education in the area.
If children learn more about importance of the rainforest now then they may grow up to care for it.