A showroom to promote local products and handicrafts around the Montagne des Français protected area in Diana region was recently established by the UNESCO Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Natural Resource Management for Integrated Community Development in National Parks of Madagascar project (BIOCOM), funded by Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). In addition, solar power panels were installed to support the local community with daily domestic power usages.
Montagne des Français: a protected area through the BIOCOM project
The Montagne des Français Reserve is a protected area in Madagascar since 2015. The BIOCOM project empowers it as well as strengthens the area’s security and conservation. The project has two objectives: safeguarding the site and conserving the Outstanding Universal Value of the Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Parc National de Marojejy and Parc National d’Andohahela), a UNESCO World Natural Heritage property which is included in the list of World Heritage in Danger. In the project, 5 ha of the protected area is restored every year to make sure it is secure. Moreover, fast-growing trees such as acacias are planted for the communities, to avoid cutting trees in the protected area.
Showroom for local products and handicrafts in the rural commune of Ramena
The two facilities were officially launched and handed over to the community on 9 February 2023 by Ms. Marie-Orléa Viva, the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development (MEDD), H.E. Yongho Son, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Madagascar, and Mr. Alexandros Makarigakis, the Chief of Natural Sciences Sector/Regional Hydrologist for Africa, representing Prof. Hubert Gijzen, UNESCO Regional Director and representative to Madagascar.
The showroom is strategically located close to the beach where tourists visit frequently. The facility was built to help young people and women in the region to have a place to sell their products, hence, facilitating their financial autonomy and empowering them on receiving a just amount for them.
3,000 community members will be able to benefit from this facility and continue to conduct their business without weather disruptions. Some of the local products and handicrafts include yam flour, dried bananas, dried mangoes, lemon pickles, woven baskets, pareos, embroidery and horns. The showroom is also fully equipped with WASH facilities.
Solar power panels in Andavakoera Fokontany
Seventy households in the remote area of Andavakoera Fokontany [village] are now benefiting from the installed solar power panels which produce 10 kWh/day of green energy. This rural electrification will facilitate the community to protect and live in harmony with the natural resources. This will contribute to reducing the anthropogenic pressures towards the protected area. Beyond the environmental benefits, it provides the youth of the community with the light needed to study in the evening hours and therefore continue their education.