Southern Mikea Forest

Summary

The Mikea Forest is situated in southwestern Madagascar. This dry tropical forest is home to two vulnerable bird species unique to the area – the sub-desert mesite and the long-tailed ground-roller.

WWF is working to establish a protected area in the southern part of the forest with local communities and authorities as well as building local capacity for environmental monitoring and conservation. This includes promoting sustainable alternatives to destructive slash-and-burn agriculture and charcoal production.

Background

The Southern Mikea forests have been identified as priority for the representation of the biodiversity of the spiny forests of Madagascar. They are the habitat of 2 species of birds only found in this area. However, they are threatened by loss of habitat due to clearing from slash and burn agriculture.

WWF has been working in Southern Madagascar for the last 8 years and is the only large conservation organization present in this area. WWF will work to set up a protected area with local communities and authorities, build management capacity, develop programmes to preserve the key species and develop partnerships with development agencies working in the area to promote sustainable alternatives to slash and burn agriculture.

Objectives

1. Establish a protected area with appropriate zoning and management objectives.

2. Develop habitat restoration activities for bird species, specifically the long-tailed ground roller (Uratelornis chimaera) and subdesert mesite (Monias benschi).

3. Build local capacity for conservation and ecological monitoring.

4. Develop partnerships with development agencies to promote sustainable alternatives.

5. Develop sustainable financial mechanisms.

Solution

The principle outcome of the project entails the creation of a new protected area for the Southern Mikea region. It is significant that this project will be implemented at the same time as the creation of the Mikea National Park in the adjacent North. Thus, it will benefit from opportunities for synergy with a programme being implemented by WWF and Madagascar National Parks.