CONSERVATION PROBLEM
The principle threat facing the Alaotran gentle lemur is the loss of its marsh habitat through fires and conversion into rice-fields.
PROJECT ACTIVITIES
The project will work to actively increase marsh habitat and implement activities to reduce loss. These include replanting phragmites marsh habitat; clearing water channels of invasive species; developing an improved fire management strategy; implementing a behaviour change campaign across the communities to reduce incidences of burning; supporting the local management authority to improve management of the protected area and enforcement of its regulations.
PROJECT RESULTS
- By 2020, marsh burning is reduced to less than 1,500 hectares/year and connected and improving priority Bandro habitat is increased to 6,000 hectares.
- Approximately 70% of the population of the three most important communities show positive pro-lemur attitudes, know that infractions are fined, and report reduction in willingness to engage in illegal marsh clearance.
- Local associations within Alaotra Rano Soa (ARS) directly and effectively managing 80% of the marsh area with 440 people from 26 associations receiving training by 2020.
- An ecosystem management-economic benefits system is developed and integrated into the post-2020 Alaotra preotected area management plan.
- Monitoring within an adaptive management framework ensures effective delivery of project results and evaluation used to assess impact.