Biggest Protected Area In Madagascar

It's official ! Makira Natural Park, with an area of around 380.000 hectares is the largest protected area in Madagascar. This forest in the northwestern part of the island is one of the most biodiverse regions in Madagascar housing almost 20 species of lemurs.

The park will be funded under the REDD+ scheme (Reduce Emissions through Deforestation and Forest Degradation) with some of the money going to the local communities.

“Not only does Makira protect the largest remaining tract of the island’s rainforest, but it is a demonstration of a new model for integrated conservation in Madagascar where local communities – de facto stewards of the forest resources – become partners with the State in protected area management.”

Christopher Holmes, Director of Wildlife Conservation Society’s Madagascar Program

Read more at: Mongabay: http://news.mongabay.com/2012/0817-makira-madagascar-wcs.html#o5ytBbFyCQdPLb7t.99