How to save the remaining forests in Madagascar and restore the lost

The problem of deforestation is typical for all countries of the world located in equatorial and tropical latitudes. But if in more economically developed countries the forest is cut down in order to make way for eucalyptus or oil palm plantations, in poorer countries the population cuts down forests for the sake of charcoal, which is used for cooking and heating homes. A similar picture has developed in Madagascar, in a poor country, which is one of the second hundred states of the planet according to many economic and social criteria.

The tragedy of Madagascar forests consists not only in the loss of the planet’s green lungs, but also in the irretrievable destruction of the habitat of many unique species of animals. The island fauna of Madagascar is unique in many respects and incorporates many endemic species. For example, various species of lemurs live only in Madagascar and the neighboring Comoros, and Madagascar wyverns are found exclusively here. Among endemic animals there are a lot of bats, tenreks, rodents, amphibians and reptiles. In total, according to biologists, about 80% of the species of Madagascar flora and fauna are unique, but most likely these are not final numbers, since there are still unexplored forests on the island and the number of species found is not final.

Most likely, some of the species that have not yet been discovered will never be known to science because of the massive destruction of Madagascar forests. A few centuries ago, evergreen and deciduous forests covered most of the island, but today they are not more than 20%. Untouched forests remained only on the territory of nature reserves and in inaccessible sparsely populated areas of the island. But given the rapid population growth, which today is approaching 25 million, such areas will soon not remain. Due to the catastrophic reduction in the area of forests and the threat of extinction of endemic fauna, as well as due to shallowing of rivers and reduction of water resources amid deforestation, a number of measures were taken at the state level aimed at changing the situation.

With the financial assistance of various international organizations and economically developed countries, the island is currently implementing a program to restore the area of former forests. Moreover, the emphasis is on the restoration of natural forests with the preservation of the diverse composition of the island flora, and not just on the planting of empty areas with fast-growing species that are not characteristic of island forests.

Educational work was carried out with the local population, which has already borne fruit. Peasants join the planting of forests and caring for seedlings, instead of engaging in slash-and-burn agriculture. In addition, local residents receive monetary compensation for the saved forest, and with the funds received they can buy the necessary amount of charcoal.

So far, the results of reforestation activities are best seen in national parks and in the central parts of the island. But environmentalists hope that soon the practice of planting seedlings of Madagascar tree species instead of felling will spread throughout the island. Forest restoration will help not only to preserve the unique local fauna, but also help to stabilize the ecological situation, in particular the situation with a lack of water resources.