&# xD; &# xD; &# xD;
“It is critical that we continue to protect, restore and maximize the benefits of mangroves for coastal communities and Madagascar as a whole.” Anna Brenes, Acting Director of USAID’s Office of the Environment said at the launch of the new comprehensive National Mangrove Strategy to protect Madagascar’s mangroves on July 25, 2022, in Nosy Be.
ANTANANARIVO – This week, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) joined forces with Malagasy officials and private stakeholders to launch a new comprehensive National Mangrove Strategy to protect Madagascar’s mangroves and support the livelihoods of communities bordering mangroves.
The event, on International Day for Mangrove Conservation, marked the official launch of a national plan that includes operational guidelines, resources and governance tools for use by organizations working around mangroves. The publication of this plan is the culmination of nearly four years of strategic collaboration led by USAID through the Hay Tao project.
“This new strategy defines the integrated nature of mangrove management and clarifies the need to address the closely related soil, water, and wildlife present in mangrove ecosystems to ensure proper management,” Anna Brenes, Acting Director of USAID’s Office of the Environment said at the launch. “It is critical that we continue to protect, restore and maximize the benefits of mangroves for coastal communities and Madagascar as a whole.”
Also participating in the event were representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock of Madagascar; Environment and Sustainable Development; and Fisheries and the Blue Economy, together with other stakeholders such as NGOs, academia, and private sector actors. These stakeholders were able to develop the first comprehensive strategy for mangrove management in Madagascar’s history.
In 2019, there were around 391,000 hectares of mangrove forest in Madagascar. These ecosystems help protect coastal communities from the effects of cyclones, provide habitat for many species of fish and crustaceans, improve the health of local fisheries, and regulate climate by storing large amounts of carbon. Effective mangrove management is critical to protecting the environment and livelihoods of hundreds of coastal communities.
In addition to USAID Hay Tao, the US government supports mangrove restoration in the Menabe area through the USAID Mikajy project and the United States Forest Service. This initiative supports the establishment of locally managed marine areas where local communities protect and restore mangroves, reduce destructive fishing practices, and improve natural resource governance through community patrols and monitoring.
The US Government and the Government of Madagascar are working together as “mpirahalahy mianala” to protect the country’s unrivaled biodiversity and precious natural resources.
Since 2013, the United States has committed more than $60 million in programs that promote sustainability, improve livelihoods for local people, improve natural resource governance, strengthen action to stop the international wildlife trade, and protect thousands of hectares from illegal exploitation.
