Illegal mining, forest fires, and the trafficking of endangered species are alarming civil society, which is calling on authorities to strengthen environmental protection.
Civil society organizations are sounding the alarm over the persistence of environmental crimes. “These tend to be on the rise,” stated Ndranto Razakamanarina of the Alliance Voahary Gasy (AVG) yesterday during the presentation of an open letter addressed to the President of the Republic of Madagascar and the authorities at the Panorama Hotel in Andrainarivo.
These stakeholders denounce illegal mining within protected areas, notably in Makira and the core zone of Andasibe-Mantadia, as well as in other forests. Added to this are the resurgence of forest fires and the continuous trafficking of endangered species.
“The primary cause is the ineffectiveness of environmental protection laws,” Razakamanarina continued. To illustrate his point, he mentioned the case of individuals prosecuted for the degradation of the Makira protected area, and the burning of an entire village and the offices of the Vondron’olona Ifotony, who were released last August.
Civil society also points to the low budget allocations granted by the State for the preservation of natural heritage (Editor’s note: 1.2% for Environment and Forests, 0.3% for Fisheries, and 0.1% for Mines). This lack of resources is said to justify the scale of trafficking and the fire sale of the country’s strategic resources.
Faced with this situation, civil society has formulated several recommendations. It notably invites the Ministry of Economy and Finance to increase the budget of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development to strengthen the fight against bushfires and forestry offenses. Without emergency measures, Madagascar risks losing 93% of its 1950 forest cover by 2050.
To influence decision-making, about sixty organizations have established the Confederation of Environmental Civil Society Organizations of Madagascar. This group aims to carry a common roadmap, clarify advocacy priorities, and collaborate with authorities in favor of the country’s development, the well-being of citizens, and the enhancement of biodiversity.
Captured & Published at: 2026-09-08 06:23:46 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/09/crimes-environnementaux-la-societe.html