Background

A mythical tree from the family of MALVACEAES, genus Adansonia
Among the 8 Baobab species existing in the world, 7 are encountered in Madagascar, 6 are endemic to Madagascar (Adansonia suarenzis, Adansonia madagascariensis, Adansonia perrieri , Adansonia grandidieri, dansonia rubrostipa, Adansonia za) of which 3 species in Menabe (Adansonia grandidieri (Renala) (endangered according to IUCN), Adansonia rubrostipa (Fony), Adansonia za (Zà)

The seventh species is from Africa (Adansonia digitata) but encountered in Madagascar and the eighth is found in Australia (Adansonia gibbosa).
In Menabe, the Baobab is the symbol of the region, the Baobabs Alley is one of the most photographed sites in Madagascar. The Baobabs Alley mainly features a large concentration of the species grandidieri.

How Baobabs can be used :

The Baobab is of great use in the Malagasy everyday life , mainly for those who live in the South and South West of Madagascar :
Bark : source of calcium, also used for roofs and for making ropes
Leaves : treatment of diarrhea as an infusion
Fruits : collected and sold, its pulps are consumed for its juice
Seeds : used for making edible oil
Indirectly, on the fallen Baobabs grow edible mushrooms which are very much liked by the population.

Dangers and pressures:

The dangers and pressures on the baobabs are mainly due to:

· flooding of the Baobabs Alley
· land clearing and bush fires
· low rate of regeneration due to the collection of fruits and seeds
· lack or even non -existence of pollination agents such as lemurs and bats

Measures taken to ensure the conservation of the Baobabs :

In 2004, considering such dangers and pressures, initiatives were taken at the level of the municipality of Bemanonga and the Region Menabe :
the municipal council resolved to prioritize the rehabilitation of the Baobabs Alley and negotiations with the neighbouring populations who had already accepted the necessity of development works started : draining off and doing no cultivation on the portion of land in the immediate surroundings of the Baobabs Alley, relocation of temporary dwelling places, creation of new dwelling areas and rice fields... visits to members of parliaments and ministries to speak for the benefit of the preservation of the Baobabs Alley; creation of a Baobab Technical Unit , at the level of the Region Menabe - via a Commission for Environment, Forestry and Biodiversity within the Development Regional Committee ( CRD) by the end of 2005; creation of the new protected area, the Baobabs Alley classified in IUCN category 3.

Then meetings with the local population were held about the establishment of the new protected area, the Baobabs Alley; it was then delimitated in close consultation with the local population.
Thus, on September 25, 2007, order n° 16231-2007/ MINENVEF bearing on the temporary protection of the new protected area was signed by the Minister of Environment, Water and Forests stipulating that the Association FANAMBY will be in charge of the management of the new protected area.

Actions under way and future prospects for the Baobabs Alley :

Development and implementation of the management plan of the new protected area, encompassing :
- establishment of the management organization
- promotion and development of ecotourism ( tourism infrastructure, entrance fees…)
- support to the economic development of the neighbouring population
- research on baobabs
- development of information/communication
- rehabilitation of the baobabs

Tourism and conservation

Madagascar is different from any other place on earth. It was separated from other land masses for nearly a hundred million years.
Therefore, its evolution followed a track that was separate from any other region. The majority of plants and animals which you will encounter in Madagascar exist nowhere else. In the west of Madagascar, the Baobabs Alley is a unique scenery. It attracts a lot of people in the region. Although tourists spend thousands of dollars for their air tickets, accommodation and various trips before reaching the site, the people on whose land this marvellous site is do not benefit from it at all. In order to survive, the local communities are obliged to raise the levels of water in the rice fields, which puts more pressure on the baobabs. Financed by USAID, Conservation International and the Malagasy NGO FANAMBY are working hard to reverse this situation.
They are developing a project aiming at increasing the competitiveness of small enterprises involved in the chain of supply in tourism. This video invites you to learn more about the ecotourism project and to contribute to the conservation efforts deployed to save this natural treasure.

For more information, visit www.conservation.org or www.ecotour.org <http://www.ecotour.org/>