HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & NIGHT LIFE

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Fianarantsoa | Tulear | Tolagnaro | Majunga | Parks and nature reserves

PARKS AND RESERVES

Situated in the Indian Ocean to the southeast of the African continent, the island of Madagascar is often described as “nature’s sanctuary”. More than 90 percent of Malagasy animal and plant species are endemic to Madagascar and are unique in the world. To protect this natural wealth, indigenous to the “Big Island”, certain areas have been designated as “protected areas”.

Each stretch of territory (land, aquatic and marine) considered as being of particular biological, archaeological or cultural interest is designated by the State as a Réserve Naturelle Intégrale (Nature Reserve), a Parc National (National Park) or a Réserve Spéciale (Special Reserve).

In order to conserve and protect these natural ecosystems against all forms of natural and artificial damage, it is forbidden to enter, drive or camp in a Nature Reserve. There are nine (9) National Nature Reserves within the whole of the territory.

Members of the public can gain access to the National Parks by purchasing a ticket from one of Angap’s offices. An official tour guide is available to show visitors around the park. There are fifteen (15) National Parks scattered across the whole of the island: Montagne d’Ambre, Isalo, Mantadia, Ranomafana, Mananara Nord.

The Special Reserves serve as a natural habitat for endangered animals or plants threatened with extinction. People living in the area still exercise their right to use the land. Twenty-three (23) Special Reserves have been created in Madagascar.

The management of these protected areas has been entrusted to Angap. Hunting, fishing, foresting, farming, mining and any other activities harmful to species of animals and plants are strictly forbidden. An Aire Protégée (Protected Area) can serve as a place of recreation, conservation and research. Certain specific areas of the network of the Parks and Reserves of Madagascar are equipped with facilities for leisure, relaxation and exploration, while respecting the area’s biodiversity and environment.

As a result, 11 National Parks and 5 National Reserves have been devoted to ecotourism by Angap and its partners. Around thirty tourist trails, 2 nature interpretation centres, 3 visitor centres and 3 ecoshops are now available. Angap also works towards preserving the island’s rich biodioversity, in particular endemic species, in protected areas.

Angap has published a study of the “Conservation typology in protected areas”. Always mindful of conservation, some sites are also equipped with surveillance systems. As part of the protected areas’ research role, biodiversity inventories have been carried out in 34 protected areas that benefit from a nature reserve manager or leader. Ecological monitoring systems have been implemented in 12 protected areas. Ten other protected areas each benefit from their own monograph. A summary of the research carried out in the protected areas is published every year. A study of the “The nomenclature of vegetation in Madagascar” and a “National Biodiversity Monograph” are also available. More than 7000 entries in Sibio (The Biodiversity Information System) have been recorded in the “National Biodiversity Unit”.

In order to raise public awareness of the need to take part in the preservation of the enormous natural wealth found in Madagascar’s protected areas, Angap has produced a communication plan. IEC (Information Education and Communication) managers are also present on some sites.