USAID HAY TAO ACTIVITY: COMMUNAL LAND USE PLANS (SACs) OF THE RURAL COMMUNES OF DELTA, TSIMAFANA, BEROBOKA AND MAROFANDILIA

The SACs are developed in a collaborative way and constitute a land planning tool that reflects the vision of the commune. They are designed to anticipate the main developments within the territory and in the society in the next 15 years. The overall objective of the SACs is to provide a document that defines the objectives and conditions of development, organization, and use of communal spaces that reflect the common vision of territorial development in the commune. The SACs are intended to meet the need for the management of the Menabe-Antimena Protected Area (APMA) through the coordination of actions and land use management. The SACs for the four communes were developed to promote natural ecosystem conservation and extend forest cover in sub-territories 1, 3, and 4. These sub-territories are indicated for activities such as the protection of forest relics and afforestation, restoration of degraded forests, and the creation of forest reserves. Additionally, all four sub-territories are indicated for the protection and equipment of production areas, recovery and revalorization of degraded areas, and the establishment of investment areas for activities that contribute to the APMA, such as ecotourism and fishing. The SACs also provide information on the facilities found in the communes and indicate the proximity of services such as schools, healthcare, and healthcare infrastructure. The documents are accompanied by a series of maps showing the current situation, the results of diagnostic and strategic analyses, and the development projections. The rural communes of Delta, Tsimafana, Beroboka, and Marofandiliana have a total surface area of 19,620 hectares, representing 90% of the APMA area. They have a total population of 43,277 inhabitants, with an average demographic density of 21 inhabitants per square kilometer. The main economic activities in these communes are agriculture (82% of households surveyed), fishing (13%), and livestock breeding. The SACs are divided into four sub-territories, each with its own specific characteristics and development objectives. Sub-territory 1 includes the coastal areas in the western part, sub-territory 2 includes areas influenced by the dynamic road RN8, sub-territory 3 includes areas with ecological functions and forests in the eastern part, and sub-territory 4 includes pastoral areas. The SACs provide a framework for the development of the communes, taking into account the natural areas, developed areas, and abandoned areas. The documents aim to promote sustainable development and ensure the well-being of the inhabitants of the communes.