The Issue:

The Maromizaha Protected Area is threatened by deforestation, slash-and-burn agriculture, unsustainable resource use, and climate change, all driven by limited livelihood opportunities for local communities. As forests are cleared to support agriculture, critical habitat for lemurs and other endemic species continues to decline. The lack of organized sustainable tourism further limits economic alternatives that could incentivize conservation. This project addresses these root causes by restoring degraded forest, creating community jobs, strengthening ecotourism, and providing alternative livelihoods that reduce pressure on natural resources while protecting biodiversity.

What are Measurable Outcomes Expected from the Funding of this Project?

• 15 hectares of degraded forest restored with 15,000 native seedlings and at least an 80% survival rate.

• 177 households actively participate in the project through restoration and conservation activities.

• 35 local guides trained and 5 eco-trails plus 4 small visitor infrastructure improvements completed to strengthen ecotourism.

• Illegal activities reduced by 20–30%, including logging and slash-and-burn agriculture, based on community patrol monitoring.

 What Would a Successful Project Result In?

A restored forest corridor supporting critically endangered lemurs, thriving community-led ecotourism, and local families earning sustainable livelihoods through conservation while protecting the Maromizaha Protected Area for the long term.