back to search results
Share
twitterlinkedinfacebook
Image 11 of 148
< Prev Next >
AH_MG_0877.jpg
Tree nursery of endemice species, part of a forest restoratation and carbon sequestration scheme that provides a sustainable livelihood for the local population. The Association Mitsinjo was founded in 1999 in village of Andasibe, East-central Madagascar. The organisation works with the local community to integrate conservation, sustainable development and ecotourism. A highly-successful environmental education program visits primary schools to encourage children to have fun whilst engaging with the local environment, learning about key species as they go. The tree nursery pictured here is central to the work carried out by Association Mitsinjo, working with the community to collect and germinate tree seeds from the local forest to painstakingly reforest areas damaged by previous deforestation and development, restoring the natural balance found in a mature and healthy forest ecosystem. During my visit I was lucky enough to meet one of the many successes of this project, a wild Indri, the largest lemur in the world. Habitat protection and ongoing creation is central to the survival of this IUCN Red List Critically Endangered species. Whilst the indri faces many ongoing challenges from deforestation and poaching, it is hoped that ecotourism will play a part in the longterm survival of this iconic species, whilst helping sustain local communities too. Tropical rainforest, Mitsinjo reserve, Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, Madagascar.