A SYSTEM OF DIGITAL INFORMATION FOR THE TRANSFER OF MANAGEMENT OF THE RENEWABLE NATURAL RESOURCES OF MADAGASCAR

Posted on 15 April 2024

Since 1996, Law No. 96-025 on the local management of renewable natural resources has initiated the transfer of the renewable natural resources management (TRNRM) from Madagascar to local communities.

One of the problems facing the governance of community-based resource management in Madagascar is the lack of information available to stakeholders. More often than not, there is little sharing of information on community-based natural resource management. Moreover, there is no reliable data on the actual situation of community management contracts in the country.
In order to improve natural resource management, an online information system has been created for the TRNRM. Under the direction of the Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development, with the support of WWF, this information system is a tool for accessing information on all TRNRM across Madagascar. Information such as the type of natural resources managed (terrestrial, marine), their location, their extent, the administration period of management contracts, technical and financial support, etc. is available on the platform. This tool also simplifies the management and monitoring of activities linked to the transfer of management of these resources.

This information system will provide the forestry administration, all those involved in conservation, governmental and non-governmental bodies and any individual wishing to find out more about TRNRM, with qualitative and quantitative information in real time. But more importantly, this innovation makes it possible to monitor the evolution of the state of TRNRM as a whole, and to make decisions on the actions to be taken to perpetuate them. The data is thus archived, standardized and at the same time authentic. This is reinforced by Razafindrabe Rinah, Director General of Environmental Governance at the Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development: "Thanks to this renewable natural resources management transfer information system, digital innovations for environmental conservation are multiplying and enhancing natural resources."

According to data from this information system, there are 2,129 transfer contracts managed by 1,559 grassroots communities in Madagascar, representing 3,396,554 hectares of natural resources (terrestrial forests, mangroves, rivers and various natural resources).

Follow the link to access the online information system: www.e-voary.mg/tgrn