The Ambohidravy Nature Reserve (2,292 ha) is located in north-western Madagascar, in the Diana region, Ambanja district. Established in 2009 by the NGO L’Homme et l’Environnement, which manages it under a contract running until 2019, it is home to numerous flagship species of the forest ecosystems and coastal areas of north-western Madagascar: lemurs (including Coquerel’s sifaka, Propithecus verreauxi coquereli), the Madagascar fish eagle (Ankoay), Dalbergia baronii and Dalbergia retusa. Here, as elsewhere, local populations’ limited awareness of the site’s valorisation opportunities increases irrational overexploitation of resources, particularly forest resources.
To address this, L’Homme et l’Environnement wishes to preserve this area through the sustainable valorisation of certain aromatic, medicinal or craft-relevant plants with economic potential; through the protection of a 1,370-ha core forest zone via the process of establishing a new protected area; through the implementation of an environmental education programme; and through forest restoration and the development of cash and food crops (vanilla, cocoa, fruit and market garden crops grown through agroforestry, fibres).
It should be noted that the NGO, an expert in identifying promising value chains that reconcile local use potential with cultural values, has been working in partnership with cosmetics and perfumery industries for many years. 8 villages will benefit from the project (Mahalony, Amporaha, Andrekareka, Antanamitarana, Antranovato, Andamena, Anjazoalava, Ankorefobe), representing around 3,500 people spread across the 3 fokontany.
