Moving forward despite instability and insecurity
Forest restoration and reforestation are also moving forwards, although not all the objectives have been met. Regarding protected areas, progress of the activities concerns mainly Fort Dauphin. Delays in the protected areas process are mainly due to the lack of engagement of some local authorities amidst political instability.
Not all objectives met
Insecurity in certain regions (Ivohibe, Fort Dauphin) and poor weather conditions have obliged the HCPF team to postpone some activities (production of samplings and reforestation plans, for example).
On the other hand, the LiDAR mission – one of the cornerstones of HCPF’s carbon-related component – occurred in end of March and was a major success. Work related to carbon stock assessment is advancing at very good pace as well.
Carbon work on track
Main activities site by site
In addition, over the past six months 1,750 households have been sensitized to sustainable use of natural resources and inventories and zoning carried out for 44 forests where transfers of natural resources management to local communities will take place.
Crucial irrigation schemesFeasibility studies for the building of agricultural infrastructure have been launched in all sites except in Fandriana. Such infrastructure, which consists mainly of irrigation schemes, is crucial for local communities as it is expected to help them achieve better yields.
Since the start of the HCPF, 49 reforestation sites have been identified and 86 hectares have already been reforested – for the past semester, these figures are 29 sites and 60 hectares respectively. Only in Doany (on the Andapa site) 40 hectares have been replanted as planned, which compensates for the failure in the neighboring site of Bealanana, where only four hectares have been reforested – instead of 36 as planned – after tree nursery gardeners failed to produce enough samplings.
Furthermore, 35 sites totaling 16,500 hectares have been identified – together with the local communities – for forest landscape restoration. Since the launch of the HCPF, 94 sites totaling 17,410 hectares have been identified (with a final goal of 20,110 ha). In all sites, local communities have also been sensitized to the importance of forest landscape restoration.
New protected areas: Two sites (Betaolana et Tsarantanana) have been identified and documents necessary for the creation of the Betaolana NPA are being finalized. Socio-economic studies are being conducted in four commons of the Bealanana area.
Transfers of natural resources management: The state of the forests where these transfers will take place as well as the management skills of the grassroots communities (COBAs) are being assessed. This is a mandatory step in the process. Dinas (social rules within grassroots communities) are being developed in four COBAs of Bealanana and five COBAs already officially structured will receive training on various issues – including management, functioning of an association and climate change knowledge.
Forest landscape restoration: The team gained expertise during a visit to Fandriana, where the local team has a lot of experience in forest landscape restoration.
New protected areas: Sensitizations during village meetings.
Transfers of natural resources management: sensitizations, inventories and zoning.
Forest landscape restoration: Training of Andapa and Fort-Dauphin teams.