PAST SUCCESSES

Conservation of Four Critically Endangered Tree Species in the Vohibola Littoral forest, Madagascar
Project Dates: April 2006 – October 2007

The Vohibola Forest is one of the best remaining examples of littoral forest in Madagascar but is extremely threatened by fire and the illegal exploitation of timber. Four Critically Endangered trees occur only at this site and the adjacent Ambila Lemaitso Forest: Humbertiodendron saboureaui, Sakoanala madagascariensis, Rhopalocarpus parvifolius, Schizolaena laurina.

The project, carried out in collaboration with Man and the Environment (MATE), aimed to reduce the risk of extinction to these four species by:

• Increasing the security of existing populations of the target species.
• Reinforcing the existing population of the target species by translocating saplings produced by an on-site nursery.
• Raising awareness of the importance of Vohibola Forest among local people.


Outcomes

The project was extremely successful in reducing the threats to both the forest as a whole and to the four target species. Specific outcomes were:

• A huge decrease in forest fires, with only one small fire (which was rapidly detected and stopped) occurring throughout the entire duration of the project. This reduction was partly achieved through the creation of Fire Control Committees in local villages, who were professionally trained and advised by firefighters from France. A fire management plan was also implemented which directed the positioning of fire breaks in primary forest areas.

• A halt in illegal woodcutting, with only four offences recorded very early on in the project, compared to 1,512 pieces of illegal wood confiscated during 2005. This was achieved through the recruitment and training of four new forest agents and the involvement of local communities in forest policing.

• The development of four local tree nurseries (two new, two already existing), with 14,000 seedlings of the target species and other economically important trees (e.g. fruit trees) being planted out in the forest. Nine nursery staff were trained by Missouri Botanical Garden and the Technical Centre of Horticulture of Tamatave (CTHT) in various aspects of cultivation. Local people were given training and involved in the planting out of seedlings, which helped to raise awareness of the project.

• A greater awareness amongst local people of the importance of forest sustainability, achieved through awareness campaigns in local villages, particularly in local schools. Representatives of the Water and Forestry Department and project staff held meeting with villagers to explain new forest use regulations and the aims of the project. An ‘environment month’ was organised in two village schools, involving outings to the Vohibola forest with MATE staff as well as classroom activities. An environmental education programme is now being developed with the Malagasy schools department.


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