In protected areas managed by Fanamby, decisions are not made by a single organization. They are discussed, debated, and collectively validated within the Steering and Monitoring Committee (COS—Comité d’Orientation et de Suivi), which brings together local communities, authorities, and state services. This year, the meetings held in Andrafiamena-Andavakoera, Loky Manambato, and across the Alley of the Baobabs – Menabe Antimena landscape once again demonstrated that conservation is first and foremost a matter of shared governance.

Preserving a protected area is not merely about monitoring a forest or protecting species. It is also about finding, together, solutions to very practical questions: how to meet local residents’ charcoal needs? Where to establish tree plantations? How to organize grazing areas? How to share revenue generated from tourism?

This is precisely the role of the Steering and Monitoring Committee (COS). This governance body brings together representatives of local communities, elected officials, administrative authorities, and protected area managers to review actions taken, debate local challenges, and collectively make decisions that will shape management in the years ahead.

A Voice From the Field

In Andrafiamena-Andavakoera, this year’s meeting was marked by strong participation from community representatives.

Discussions were organized by theme in order to gather input from everyone before reaching joint decisions. This approach made it easier to bring field concerns to light and build shared responses.

Topics addressed included the sustainable management of charcoal production, the creation of tree plantations aimed at reducing pressure on natural forests, and the identification of shared grazing zones.

The meeting also officialized the recognition of a 16th KMT (Komity Miaro ny Tontolo Iainana—local environmental protection committees). Their validation reflects a growing desire among communities to get directly involved in preserving their territory.

Beyond the decisions made, the COS will maintain its monitoring role by conducting field visits to verify the implementation of collectively decided actions.

Understanding Rules to Act More Effectively

In Loky Manambato, discussions served as a reminder that good governance also relies on a shared understanding of rules.

The meeting provided an opportunity to review the legal framework governing protected areas so that every stakeholder—communities, local authorities, and partners—shares the same understanding of their responsibilities.

The COS also serves as a forum where the everyday realities facing neighboring populations can be discussed openly. Challenges encountered in natural resource management are examined collectively to seek sustainable solutions adapted to the local context.

Because they are built alongside those who interact with natural resources daily, these decisions stand a much better chance of being implemented and yielding lasting results.

Results… and New Strategic Directions

Across the Alley of the Baobabs and Menabe Antimena landscape, the meetings were also an occasion to assess achievements and establish future priorities.

In Menabe Antimena, participants highlighted a drop in the number of fires observed over the past year. Encouraged by this positive outcome, they decided to strengthen development initiatives for communities, involve young people more actively in managing the protected area, and continue environmental education efforts.

Regarding the Alley of the Baobabs, several key decisions were approved concerning the use of a bypass road for heavy vehicles, the management of entry fees to the site, and the distribution mechanisms for generated revenue. These measures, which will take effect following approval from the relevant ministries, aim to better reconcile tourist visitation, site conservation, and local benefits.

Conservation Built Hand in Hand with Local Territories

These various meetings underscore a vital reality: Fanamby never manages a protected area alone.

The long-term protection of biodiversity depends on governance where local communities, public authorities, and partners participate together in decision-making. The COS is not just a coordination meeting; it is the space where this balance between nature conservation and local development is built.

When everyone has a voice in decisions affecting their territory, protecting biodiversity becomes a collective project led by the very people who live closest to the ecosystems.