Conserving water in the mountains

Summary

Between the national parks of Ranomafana and Andringitra in southeastern Madagascar lies a 120km forest corridor that separates the coastal lowlands from the highlands of the Andringitra mountain range. WWF is working in this area to protect water resources and biodiversity with local communities.

Development activities for communities bordering the forest and those of protected areas are interrelated. The goal is to increase agricultural production through sustainable water management techniques, while reducing the rate of deforestation and the overexploitation of natural resources.

Background

WWF aims to protect the rich biodiversity in the forest corridor between the 2 national parks of Ranomafana and Andringitra. Actions are focused on promoting alternative activities to clearing and slash-and-burn agriculture, locally called “tavy”, which represent the principal pressure on forest resources.

Since the beginning of 2005, WWF has been promoting a water management and development project for biodiversity conservation in the Southern part of the corridor.

Objectives

• Contribute to the reduction of pressures on the corridor that are related to water use.
• Help for a rational use of water which contributes to socio-economic development and biodiversity conservation.
• Spread sustainable use of water through the building of micro-infrastructures.

Solution

Development activities for local communities living on the borders of the forest and those of protected areas are interrelated. The goal is to manage the increase in agricultural production, rice in particular (the Malagasy people's staple food), which helps secure food for the local populations and meet part of their vital needs (through the sale of the products), while reducing the degradation rate of forests and the overexploitation of natural resources.