In Maintirano, eighteen solar streetlights were installed as part of the ‘Ma Honko’ project, led by Bôndy, during the Barea Festival held from August 26 to 29.
For several months, darkness had complicated travel and heightened feelings of insecurity. Edouard Rakotonirina, head of the Manela fokontany, noted that the lack of functional streetlights had made the road unsafe for over a year. For local merchants, the new lights mean extended business hours. Claudine, a vendor, and Tsodrano, a restaurant owner, both expressed that they can now keep their businesses open much later into the night.
These streetlights are a direct benefit of the mangrove protection and restoration efforts under the Ma Honko project. The initiative aims to link community participation in coastal ecosystem conservation with tangible benefits for the population. Bôndy is currently conducting restoration work in the Melaky, Sofia, and Diana regions, with plans to eventually generate voluntary carbon credits from forest conservation.
Mangrove protection also holds economic value, as these ecosystems serve as essential habitats for crabs and shrimp, which are vital local resources. Since 2025, 279 solar streetlights have been installed across twenty-three communes in the Diana, Sofia, Boeny, and Melaky regions. Local community member Joséphine emphasized that these improvements serve as a strong motivation for residents to continue their collective conservation efforts.
Captured & Published at: 2026-09-29 06:09:23 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/09/maintirano-la-restauration-des.html