Local community engagement and support for conservation: Ecotourism at Andasibe, Madagascar

Snapshot Solution

by David Newsome, Association des Guides d’ Andasibe, the Tambata Guide Association and the Mitsingo Local Community

Chameleon observed during night visit to Mitsingo Forest Station

David Newsome

Andasibe - Mantadia National Park is a high profile rainforest tourism destination and one of the most popular nature-based tourism destinations in Madagascar. Visitors are able to view the iconic Indri and nine other species of lemur, endemic birds such as couas, vangas and ground rollers, as well as a rich herpeto-fauna comprising chameleons and geckos. International and domestic tour groups are led by local guides sourced mainly from the village of Andasibe and surrounding areas. . Mitsingo Forest Station is a community reserve under the protection of local people. Currently at leat 70+ and up to 100 guides sourced mostly from the local community act as guides for tour companies and international tourists. A combintion of tangible economic benefits and on-going engagement with conservation organisations and the tourism industry has led to local community support for the protection of wildlife and associated forest.

Last update: 05 Oct 2020

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Context

Challenges addressed

Land and Forest degradation

Loss of Biodiversity

Ecosystem loss

Poaching

Unemployment / poverty

Scale of implementation

Local

Ecosystems

Tropical evergreen forest

Theme

Access and benefit sharing

Habitat fragmentation and degradation

Ecosystem services

Sustainable financing

Protected and conserved areas governance

Sustainable livelihoods

Local actors

Traditional knowledge

Location

Andasibe-Mantadia, Madagascar

East and South Africa

Impacts

Local community guide associations conduct training exercises and are involved in conservation work resulting in the protection of forest and wildlife. Andasibe Village (population about 1400) has benefited from providing tourism services. These benefits include employment of local people, improved road conditions and village services, improved infrastructure such as a school, market place, dispensary and a piped water supply. The forest in valued for its ecosystem services and especially wildlife values.