Protection of the Kirindy Forest
In western Madagascar, we support the protection of the unique Kirindy dry forest within the Menabe-Antimena Protected Area.
Kirindy, Menabe Antimena Protected Area, Madagascar
community-based patrollings are carried out per month
Trees on 45.5 hectares have already been planted
About the project
Protection of the Kirindy Forest
The greatest human impact on nature in the region is slash-and-burn agriculture for the so-called shifting cultivation method in order to plant corn or peanuts. The freshly burned soil initially possesses a lot of nutrients. However, these are expended quickly, so that a new field has to be cleared after only 2-3 years. The intensity of slash-and-burn already has an impact on the climate in the region. Without an alternative for shifting cultivation, the forest and the animals of the region will not be able to survive in the long term.
Charcoal burning and the use of wood and charcoal for daily food preparation, illegal logging and hunting of endangered animals are also problematic. The people in the Menabe region still live from forest products to a large extent Without sustainable management and alternatives, the local population will find it even more difficult to survive in the region in the long term.
By working with local communities for a more sustainable future and supporting rangers, research and education, we aim to do our bit to preserve the special qualities of this area for future generations.
Control in Kirindy Forest. The control team inspects a recently burned area in Kirindy forest.
Confiscated utensils for hunting lemurs and radio-collars of hunted individuals.
The tree nursery of the Centre National de Formation et Recherche en Environment et Foresterie (CNFEREF) in the municipality of Marofandilia.
Support us
Support the protection of the Kirindy Forest
With 30 € you finance for example a control by local rangers.
Area controls
Community-based controls of the Kirindy Forest are intended to minimize threats to the ecosystem. In order to plan the controls as effectively as possible, a smartphone app is used to record and evaluate current data on cleared areas or destroyed forest areas.
Reforestation & Restoration
Together with our local partners, we restore cleared areas of forest using local and indigenous tree species.
Double benefit
Energy-saving stoves
Energy-saving stoves use up to 2/3 less wood or charcoal and thus reduce the pressure on the forest. In addition, they produce less harmful gases when burned, thus improving the health of families.
Chicken Farm
We support families in raising chickens as an alternative to hunting wild animals such as lemurs and tenrecs. The sale of chicken meat and eggs can also provide an additional source of income.
Partners & Supporters
The projects are funded by:
Zoo Berlin
Tierpark Berlin
Biodiversity Conservation Madagascar (BCM)
Fondation Yves Rocher
Daimler Per Cent
Manfred Hermsen Stiftung
Zoo Duisburg
The projects will be implemented jointly with:
Local communities
Centre National de Formation et Recherche en Environment et Foresterie (CNFEREF)
DPZ Madagascar
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