Protecting natural resources requires better knowledge and effective enforcement of existing laws. With this in mind, a general and administrative police tour was conducted in the commune of Ambodimadiro, Ambanja district, in the presence of local administrative and judicial authorities who met with the population.
Faced with increasing pressure on the terrestrial and marine ecosystems of the BATAN landscape (Ambaro Bay, Tsimipaika, Ampasindava, and the Nosy Be archipelagos), strengthening the enforcement of regulatory texts has become a major challenge. In this perspective, the Ecosystem Management project (GEC BATAN) relies on these joint missions to improve territorial governance and fight more effectively against illicit practices in districts, including Ambanja.
Lack of knowledge of current laws, insufficient application, confusion of competencies among actors, and lack of coordination among decentralized services are among the difficulties observed on the ground. Added to this are problems related to the implementation of natural resource management transfer contracts, usage conflicts, and the persistence of certain practices harmful to ecosystems.
According to the explanations, the objective is to restore concerted territorial governance, in which each service acts in accordance with its duties. These missions also provide a framework for awareness and information on laws, decrees, orders, approved ‘Dina’ (local customary laws), and applicable management transfer contracts. They should allow populations to better understand their rights, obligations, and the penalties provided for in the event of an offense.
Beyond awareness, the interventions aim to identify recurring offenses, including illegal logging, charcoal production, illegal exploitation of mangroves, destructive fishing practices, the use of prohibited nets, the capture of juveniles, illegal occupations, fires, and exploitation.
However, the approach is not limited to noting offenses. It also intends to identify the causes of the weak application of texts, institutional blockages, and shortcomings in the mobilization of actors.
Captured & Published at: 2026-10-27 05:38:34 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/10/environnement-la-police-sinteresse-aux.html