Ecoafriq eshop - Issue #3 Madagascar, paradise for wildlife

Madagascar is home to some of the most amazing and unique wildlife in the world. It is the largest island in Africa and 226,917 square miles in size.

The rainforests of the Atsinanana, are home to more than half the world’s chameleons species, and also insects, birds, reptiles and lemurs (primates that look like an animal in between a dog, a cat and a squirrel) to name a few. Almost all of the plant and animal species found on the Madagascar island are unique to the island.

One of the best features in Madagascar is the Baobab trees. They are the true giants of the African continent. The baobab is a life-giver for wildlife. It provides food and shelter from insects to mammals. Many baobabs trees live for thousands of years. These giant trees are recognized as a symbol of community wherever they grow in Africa and are used as a gathering place for ceremonies and rituals.

Antananarivo (meaning The City of Thousands) is the capital city of Madagascar and contains about 2.5 million people.

Madagascar is one of the poorest places in Africa, despite its biological and cultural richness. The people in this territory face many problems including weak infrastructure, poor health care, gender equality, a poor educational system and malnutrition. Progress is slow, and the country is heavily reliant on international aid.

Climate change has also brought challenges to the island, such as locust infestations, hurricanes and floods. Deforestation and soil erosion are also major threats and reduce the ability of local farmers to produce enough food. Other products like cassava, coconut, mangos, bananas, sugar cane, soybean, vanilla and sunflower oil are produced by foreign companies for sale abroad.

There is a desperate need for investment in sustainable industries (such as green energy, water infrastructure, roads, bridges) in order to preserve the biodiversity, add value and protections to Madagascar’s own natural resources to drive economic development, educate and develop the vulnerable communities.

Protecting Madagascar’s biodiversity is important, but people need livelihoods too. Environmental laws must be strengthened to be effective enough to protect and maintain a balance between Madagascar’s biodiversity and the local communities fishing and agricultural incomes. Efforts must focus on protecting wildlife, poverty alleviation and economic development.

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