Endangered Destinations 2011: Madagascar

Peter Moore

Madagascar

The world’s Garden of Eden is heading for an epic fall

What’s the problem?

Madagascar is the world’s number one biodiversity hotspot. It’s home to 5% of the world’s plant and animal species, over 90% of which are found nowhere else on earth.

But an environmental ‘perfect storm’ is approaching, with civil unrest, corruption and overexploitation of resources set to have catastrophic consequences.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has declared the Malagasy ecosystem one of the most threatened in the world.

Political unrest has severely damaged tourism leaving 65% of the population living on less than $1 a day. Lemurs are being hunted as bushmeat, bringing them to the brink of extinction. Attempts to halt illegal rosewood logging have been undermined by government ministers providing export permits for illegally logged timber.

The toppling of the pro-environment President Ravalomanana in a coup in 2009 has also caused problems.

“The new ‘president’, Andry Rajoelina, is not recognised by the international community,” says Hilary Bradt MBE, founder of Bradt Guides and Madagascar expert. “Some well-established aid and conservation bodies have pulled out. Corruption is on the increase, as is crime.”

What’s the solution?

“Change the government!” says Hilary. “But that’s not going to happen. Negotiations have been in stalemate for some time.”

Meanwhile, initiatives on a local level are having some success.

“There are still some dedicated and effective NGOs working there,” says Hilary. “Britain’s Blue Ventures and the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust have been working successfully to involve local people in conservation, pressing home the message that a live lemur in a tree is more valuable than a dead one in a cooking pot.”

Tourism plays a large part, bringing jobs and park fees, which help neighbouring communities.

Check out Wanderlust's full list of Endangered Destinations here