Challenges and strategies for Geoconservation in Madagascar

Lala Andrianaivo (*) & Voahanginirina Ramasiarinoro (**)
(*) Ecole Supérieure Polytechnique, University of Antananarivo, PO Box 1500, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar. E-mail: andrianaivo@univ-antananarivo.mg (**) Faculty of Sciences, University of Antananarivo, PO Box 906, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar. E-mail: ramasiarinoro@yahoo.fr

Present knowledge about Madagascar geoheritage is dispersed and incomplete. There is no database of the geosites representative of the geological frameworks. To resolve these problems, a working from our university is developing a project aimed at their classification and at establishing a conservation strategy for the most relevant geosites. The adopted methodology and adequate strategies include: field works, geosites inventory and compilation of data sets; quantifying their value or relevance and their categorization; development of a classification system including international exchange classification; enhancement and dissemination of the geoheritage; definition of management structure; elaboration of geosites management plan and its conservation; establishing order defining responsible institution; and implementation into National Network of Protected Areas. The challenges are to: increase the protected areas for the geoconservation; reduce the natural resource degradation process; mainstream the geoenvironment into all sectoral plans and develop geoenvironmental effects. Presently, most of the 90 geosites identified are not included in the conservation and management plans. We plan these spectacular landscapes, geological aesthetic beauty and geomorphological importance to be included in the new categories of protected area such as Protected Landscapes (IUCN category V), Natural Monuments (category III) and Natural Resource Reserves (category VI).

Geoconservation, geoheritage, geosites, Madagascar, protected area