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Official launch of the reforestation campaign in the Menabe region: advancing toward a greener future

​On January 17, 2025, the official launch of the 2024-2025 reforestation campaign took place at the Soatsioky site located in the rural commune of Belo-sur-Tsiribihina, district of Belo-sur-Tsiribihina, Menabe region.

Since 2019, the national vision “Madagasikara rakotra ala no tanjona” ( Madagascar covered in forests in english) has been the guiding framework for reforestation initiatives across the country. For the 2024-2025 campaign, the Menabe region has set an ambitious goal to reforest over 3,000 hectares, encompassing both dry forests and mangroves. Two-thirds of this target focuses on dry forests, while one-third is dedicated to mangroves. To kick off the campaign, 18,000 seedlings were planted across a 10-hectare area, coupled with environmental awareness campaigns in the Belo-sur-Tsiribihina district to rally regional stakeholders.

With the highest deforestation rate in Madagascar, well above the national average, the Menabe region faces significant environmental challenges. Despite ongoing reforestation efforts, intensified actions are critical to counter this alarming trend. Mario Rossel François, Regional Director of Environment and Sustainable Development, underscored the urgency of the situation, stating:"We are working to establish nurseries in every district of the region. While we provide support and raise awareness, achieving our reforestation goals requires collaboration among partners, communities, and local authorities. Despite the magnitude of these challenges, we remain hopeful that we can reverse the trend through increased patrols and the restoration of degraded lands."

WWF, a technical and financial partner in the region, has been actively involved in this 2025 launch. During the previous reforestation season, WWF contributed to the restoration of 285 hectares (reforestation for fuelwoodand construction needs) , achieving 81% of its initial target of 351 hectares. The goal for the 2024-2025 season is to reforest a larger area than last year.