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Community Management of Natural Resources: A Case Study from Ankarafantsika National Park, Madagascar

AMBIO volume 42, pages 767–775 (2013)Cite this article

Abstract

We analyzed the management, resource use and conservation of the Ankarafantsika National Park (Madagascar) to develop a management plan, which provides a sustainable development strategy of the area while empowering the local residents. Using qualitative methodology we performed interviews with villagers and local organizations to assess the park’s successes and failures from local stakeholders’ perspectives. People living in a village with a permanent Madagascar National Parks (MNP) agent are more favorable to and supportive of the park conservation. People living in the park are supportive but are more divided. On the other hand, people living on the periphery of the park see conservation as more of a burden. Strategies like more equitable distribution of wealth, environment improvement and decentralization of power are discussed to achieve a more sustainable management plan based on community natural resources management. Short-term, medium, and long-term interventions from park authorities are needed to ensure the cooperation of local people in conservation endeavors.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to warmly thank the Parc National d’Ankarafantsika and all the MNP staff and organizations that made this study possible. We also want to thank the University of Mahajanga and particularly Rasoanirina Gislaine Elysée and Tombozamila Roland for their translations and their cultural mediation. We would also like to thank Narayan Dhital of Université Laval and anonymous reviewers who helped improve this manuscript. The funding for the study was provided, with the help of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) through the Canada-Africa Research Exchange Grants program supported by the International Development Research Centre.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Département des sciences du Bois et de la Forêt, Centre d’étude de la forêt, Université Laval, Sainte-Foy, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada

    Benoît G. P. Aymoz & Damase P. Khasa

  2. Département de Biologie animale et Ecologie, Université de Mahajanga, Campus Universitaire d’Ambondrona, B.P. 652, Mahajanga, Madagascar

    Vololomboahangy R. Randrianjafy

  3. Direction Provincial du Projet de Soutien au Développement Rural, 5 rue Victor Hugo Ampasika, 401, Mahajanga, Madagascar

    Zarasoa J. N. Randrianjafy

Authors
  1. Benoît G. P. Aymoz
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  2. Vololomboahangy R. Randrianjafy
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  3. Zarasoa J. N. Randrianjafy
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  4. Damase P. Khasa
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Correspondence to Damase P. Khasa.

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Aymoz, B.G.P., Randrianjafy, V.R., Randrianjafy, Z.J.N. et al. Community Management of Natural Resources: A Case Study from Ankarafantsika National Park, Madagascar. AMBIO 42, 767–775 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-013-0391-9

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Keywords

  • Community management
  • Rural development
  • Decentralization
  • Qualitative methodology