Ankazomborona: an ecotourism site to discover, managed by the Ankameva grassroots communities

Posted on 24 July 2023

Located 40 km to the south of the Ambilobe, in the DIANA region ( northwest of the island), Ankazomborona is an area managed by the Ankameva grassroots community in the Beramanja commune, and was officially inaugurated on June 14, 2023.

It offers four circuits for discovering the natural gems of Madagascar, and more specifically, the DIANA region.

On the "Lemurs" circuit, visitors can encounter various endemic species such as the Black Lemur and the Macaco Macaco (see photo above). The "Reforestation" circuit features a fascinating restoration site for eight species of mangrove, while the "Viewpoint" circuit on Mount Ambohinangy offers incredible views of Nosy Be and the mangroves. Finally, the "Marine" tour offers a close-up view of pink flamingos and endemic birds nesting near the mangroves.

In addition to showcasing the natural capital of the Great Island, this ecotourism site has great potential for the protection and conservation of a unique heritage. WWF Madagascar is therefore keen to support the local communities behind this promising initiative. Work began in 2021 and was funded by the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) of the Swedish government, as part of the Leading the Change program, one of the key interventions of WWF and its partners, in collaboration with WWF Sweden.

This ecotourism site plays an essential role in the conservation of two major ecosystems: a 204-hectare tropical rainforest and an immense mangrove forest covering 1,359 hectares. The aim? To maintain and preserve the ecosystem services provided by these ecosystems for the benefit of the local population and the planet, notably through :
- Improving people's livelihoods through tourism and shellfish fishing
- Reducing carbon emissions, which are sequestered in large quantities by these wetlands
- Conserving the natural habitats of the various animal species that live there

Overall, the Ankazomborona ecotourism site is an innovative, income-generating initiative and a source of local development. As Amad Jack, president of the Ankameva grassroots committee, explains:
"This ecotourism site is something we've been dreaming of for a long time: we've been dreaming of this ecotourism site for a long time. Seeing this dream come true gives us immense joy, since we, the grassroots community, are also the managers. It will contribute to our budget, which will help finance the management of natural resources, as well as that of each individual household. It's a great opportunity for us to have this community ecotourism site".

The project has also created jobs, as in the case of Gladysse, a local fisherwoman who became a guide and patroller with the arrival of the project: "I signed up to be a guide and have benefited from training related to this profession, such as welcoming visitors and learning about the flora and fauna of the site. I love this job because it allows me to interact with foreigners, discover new things and contribute to the development of our village".

WWF has been a major player in mangrove preservation in the region for several years. Indeed, WWF's support for the Ankameva grassroots community dates back to 2014, as part of a mangrove conservation project in Ambaro Bay. In 2021, this project enabled Ambaro Bay to officially become Madagascar's 21st Ramsar site. With the Ankazomborona site, the aim was not only to create a place for tourism that respects the local residents, but also to enable them to take charge of the resources that surround them. Today, local people are delighted to welcome visitors and offer them a taste of their traditional cuisine based on fresh seafood. It's another step towards sustainable tourism, which promotes a more harmonious relationship between man and nature.