Protecting biological diversity : Madagascar case study

This assessment examines the changes introduced by USAID"s assistance, especially that provided via its "SAVEM" (Sustainable Approaches to Viable Environmental Management) and "KEPEM" (Knowledge and Effective Policies for Environmental Management) projects. approach includes institutional support financed through a debt-for-nature swap and conservation activities in specific protected areas financed through development grants. Major findings are as follows. (1) USAID has played a central role in launching the National Association for Management of Protected Areas (ANGAP), a quasi NGO which has assumed day to day coordination of Madagascar"s protected areas program, but creation of ANGAP has thus far made little difference at the field level. (2) USAID"s plan reserves a predominant role for international and indigenous NGOs, however support to local NGOS from international NGOs has been limited. (3) Including women staff members apparently increases the likelihood of success. (4) Debt swaps can provide a cushion from which programs can develop financial sustainability. (5) The potential of ecotourism to enhance financial sustainability requires a longer lead time than expected. (6) Protected area management should provide latitude for experimentation; the functions of coordination and control must not constrain individual protected areas" efforts to test specific approaches. (7) For peripheral zone development to be successful, technical inputs need to be well planned and well explained to villagers. (8) Incorporation of local stakeholders into the design and management of protected areas is important to the long-term acceptance of a protected area by local residents. (9) Recruitment of local forest outreach agents provides a cost-effective means of encouraging local participation in conservation and development programs.