On July 26, International Mangrove Day, the preservation of nature is a matter all the more serious because we are going through a health crisis whose origin comes from the destruction of nature and direct or indirect contact with wild animals. . Despite this pandemic, this day is celebrated to encourage the sustainable efforts we are making for our mangroves. Today, some 236,400 hectares cover the coastlines of Madagascar, which represents 2% of the mangroves in the world. Our mangroves are home to many species of flora and fauna unique to Madagascar. They produce between 2.5 and 3.9 tonnes of crabs per square kilometer per year, provide a living for many compatriots and make our landscapes unique. For WWF’s Dannick Randriamanantena, “it is ecosystems such as mangroves and coral reefs that make Madagascar’s west coast very productive. For our economy and the well-being of the Malagasy population, we have an interest in preserving these sources of life, ”he adds.

Since 2007, WWF has partnered with local communities, civil society organizations and authorities to conserve 50,000 hectares of mangroves in Menabe, Melaky and Diana regions through community management initiatives. Together, they planted over 19 million mangrove mangrove trees between 2009 and 2020. Beyond monitoring, these local communities are involved in the sustainable management and conservation of mangroves in many regions of Madagascar. They manage it so that mangroves and the resources that depend on them create sustainable value. This is important because mangrove forests are a natural solution to climate change and its effects. They store more carbon than terrestrial forests, filter water and protect coasts from erosion and cyclonic damage.

A study analyzing the legal and policy frameworks for mangroves in seven countries including Madagascar was developed under the “Save our mangroves now!” Initiative. “, In partnership with Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and WWF. This initiative aims to strengthen governance over the mangrove ecosystem to reduce and stop its destruction.

This year, the international day for the conservation of the mangrove ecosystem is marked by sensitization on radio channels and on social networks throughout Madagascar. These initiatives are led by local, regional or national associations with the regional directorates of the Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries. Initiatives supported by actors of mangrove conservation in Madagascar including WWF.

Article: WWF Madagascar