Conservation and sustainable use of natural resources

projekt beendet

ContexteThe demand for food and fuel-wood among Madagascar’s population, most of whom live below the poverty line, is causing progressive deforestation and land degradation, as well as the loss of biodiversity. The institutional framework for the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources is inadequate, as are the relevant knowledge and resources.ObjectiveThe conservation and sustainable, climate-resilient use of natural resources has improved in and around protected areas.ApproachThe environment project contributes to improvements in the conservation and sustainable, climate-resilient use of natural resources in and around protected areas. It is operating in the regions of Diana, Boeny, Atsimo-Andrefana and Analamanga, with activities in six areas:1. Conservation and sustainable use of natural resourcesThe project supports people in generating long-term incomes from value chains based on the natural resources, for example from honey production or eco-tourism, and in managing the forests and protected areas sustainably.2. Increased professionalism and wider uptake of the value chain for biomass energyMicro businesses and cooperatives receive assistance for the production and marketing of improved cooking stoves and ‘green’ charcoal (i.e. charcoal derived from sustainable forestry and produced in more efficient kilns).3. Strengthened legal, planning and institutional framework for the sustainable use of natural resourcesThe project supports efforts to update existing policies and instruments in the sector, and to develop new ones. It also supports the development of local and regional land use plans.4. Improvements to the ecological and social conditions for small-scale miningThe prevailing conditions in small-scale mining are being improved, such that this sector can meet Fairtrade standards in the medium term. The project is working to establish and support discussion platforms for improved governance in the sector. These stress the importance of the inclusion of women. Measures in this area are co-financed by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).5. Enhanced capacities for adaptation to climate change among significant stakeholdersHere, the advisory services focus on developing strategies, mainstreaming climate change adaptation, and strengthening the coordinating bodies. Also important are the provision of information to the broader population, curriculum development and further training.6 Development of agricultural and forestry value chainsBy increasing production and profitability, the conditions for long-term protection of agroforestry value chains are created for cashew, honey, red pepper, moringa, charcoal, charcoal herds are improvedThe activities of area 5 and 6 are co-financed by the European Union.Results77 local user groups and 7 non-governmental organizations manage sustainably 980,000 hectares of natural forests and protected areas, thus contributing to the reduction of deforestation and the protection of biodiversity.6,500 households increased their incomes by an average of 77% by managing 6 value chains – eco tourism, honey, raffia, green charcoal, improved cooking stoves and timber. Of these, 35% are women.34,000 households in the urban centers of the three intervention regions use regularly energy-efficient cooking stoves.The three program regions and 90 municipalities elaborated land-use plans, which are used as a basis for local development.The Land Planning Act, forestry policy, environmental policy for sustainable development and the national strategy for the restoration of forest landscapes passed into law.A national strategy to improve social and environmental conditions in the small-scale mining sector, taking into account international health, safety and environmental standards, has been adopted.More than 80 hectares of abandoned small scale mining areas are being rehabilitated and reforested.The National Adaptation Plan and the National Action Plan to Combat Climate Change will soon be validated by the government.The National Bureau of Meteorology has 30 climate stations to significantly improve weather forecasts..

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