Forbidden to clear to protect northern forests!

The community based organisations of COMATSA (Marojejy-Anjanaharibe South Tsaratanana Forest Corridor) have implemented an information campaign to strengthen the conservation of their forests.

"Protected forest, prohibited to clear, burn, hunt and search for gold" you can read on the signs near Vohémar, in the highlands of northern Madagascar.

The community based organisations of COMATSA (Marojejy-Anjanaharibe South Tsaratanana Forest Corridor) have implemented an information campaign to strengthen the conservation of their forests. With the support of WWF, they have decided to delineate their forests with reminders and warning signs.

Eight giant information panels around the COMATSA protected area, 80 signs signaling conservation core zones, 40 fire and clearing awareness panels and 40 reforestation patch panels were installed in accessible areas and visible to the public. The communities themselves chose the messages and the locations of the panels.

In addition, 260 km of the protected area’s boundaries were painted to facilitate further awareness of this reserve’s great environmental richness.

Through this important action, COMATSA communities want to stop clearing by sensitizing those involved and integrating them into their conservation efforts. A convinced forest clearer is worth than two engaged nature protectors.