Environmental Protection in Madagascar: An Evaluation of Program Viability A Plan B Paper In Partial Fulfillment of the Master of Science in Science, Technology and Environmental Policy Degree Requirements The Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs The University of Minnesota Andrew C. Wingen 26 May 2011 ______________________________________ Deborah L. Swackhamer Paper Adviser ______________________________________ Date Contents LIST OF ACRONYMS ................................................................................................................................ 3 I. Abstract ................................................................................................................................................ 4 II. Introduction and Problem Statement ........................................................................................... 6 III. Methodology .................................................................................................................................... 8 IV. Background ................................................................................................................................... 10 a. Social beliefs ................................................................................................................................... 13 b. Land use practices and local economy .......................................................................................... 15 c. Environmental Law: 1868 - 2009 .................................................................................................. 24 d. Ecology and Biogeography ............................................................................................................ 31 V. Madagascar’s Environmental Protection Program: Is it Viable? ................................................ 35 VI. Case Studies ................................................................................................................................... 36 Masoala Peninsula Corridor .............................................................................................................. 37 Mikea Complexe .................................................................................................................................. 38 Vohidrazana-Mantadia Corridor ........................................................................................................ 39 Ranomafana National Park ................................................................................................................ 40 VII. Criteria ........................................................................................................................................... 41 Indicators of Anthropogenic Disturbance ........................................................................................... 44 Economic sufficiency........................................................................................................................... 44 Enforcement ability ............................................................................................................................. 45 Political acceptability ......................................................................................................................... 45 VIII. Evaluation .................................................................................................................................. 46 Masoala Peninsula Corridor .................................................................................................................. 46 Indicators of Anthropogenic Disturbance ........................................................................................... 46 Economic sufficiency........................................................................................................................... 48 Enforcement ability ............................................................................................................................. 50 Political acceptability ......................................................................................................................... 51 Mikea Complexe...................................................................................................................................... 52 Indicators of Anthropogenic Disturbance ........................................................................................... 52 Economic sufficiency........................................................................................................................... 55 Enforcement ability ............................................................................................................................. 57 Political acceptability ......................................................................................................................... 58 1 Vohidrazana-Mantadia Corridor ............................................................................................................ 59 Indicators of Anthropogenic Disturbance ........................................................................................... 59 Economic sufficiency........................................................................................................................... 61 Enforcement ability ............................................................................................................................. 63 Political acceptability ......................................................................................................................... 64 Ranomafana National Park .................................................................................................................... 64 Indicators of Anthropogenic Disturbance ........................................................................................... 64 Economic sufficiency........................................................................................................................... 66 Enforcement ability ............................................................................................................................. 66 Political acceptability ......................................................................................................................... 67 IX. Evaluation Matrix ......................................................................................................................... 68 X. Conclusions and Recommendations ................................................................................................ 72 Works Cited ................................................................................................................................................. 81 Appendix A ................................................................................................................................................. 89 Appendix B ................................................................................................................................................. 90 Appendix C ................................................................................................................................................. 91 Appendix D ................................................................................................................................................. 92 Appendix E ................................................................................................................................................. 93 Appendix F.................................................................................................................................................. 94 Appendix G ................................................................................................................................................. 96 Appendix H ................................................................................................................................................. 97 2 LIST OF ACRONYMS (Italics indicate the English translation of the acronym) ANGAP - The National Association for the Management of Protected Areas in Madagascar CITES - Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora FAO – Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations GELOSE – Secured Local Management ICDP – Integrated Conservation and Development Project IUCN – International Union for Conservation of Nature NGO – Non-government organization NEAP – National Environmental Action Plan RNP – Ranomafana National Park SAPM – System of Protected Areas of Madagascar UNESCO – United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization USAID – United States Agency for International Development 3 I. Abstract Madagascar is a biodiversity hotspot with many species found nowhere else on the planet. The island hosts many different climates, ranging from dry forests and savannah to tropical rainforests. Much like the Galapagos Islands, the results of Madagascar’s unique evolutionary history are highly coveted among scientists and international aid organizations. Much effort has been put into conserving the island’s ecoregions, especially following its nonalignment with the Soviet Union. Aside from recent international interest for conservation in Madagascar, the country has had a functioning environmental protection program for more than a century. The Madagascar environmental program has been historically protective, either incidentally or directly,