Introduction

A paradoxical context at best. At the heart of the environment, generations are destroying themselves “strangely” through pollution, deforestation, extraction of natural resources and bushfires. Despite the regular participation of many African countries in flagship environmental conferences since 1972 (Stockholm), the results in terms of conservation often result in increased degradation of ecosystems and worsening climate change. In Madagascar, despite awareness-raising carried out by the State since 1984, approximately 200,000 hectares of forest still disappear each year. This figure is estimated at 300,000 hectares per year between 1790 and 1861. The loss of 90% of the forest cover at that time explains the change from Nosy Maitso, the Green Island (Madagascar as it was perceived until the 18th century) to Nosy Mena, the current Red Island.

Simple and Complex causes

Human survival activities, such as agriculture and livestock breeding, are often the cause of bushfires. The traditional practice of tavy or hatsake (slash-and-burn farming), consisting of developing forest areas for food crops, leads to gradual but massive deforestation. Immigrants escaping the drought in southern Madagascar find refuge in the forests, building temporary homes and producing charcoal to sell, as is the case in the Menabe region (in the southwest of Madagascar). Farmers also burn the savannahs near their villages for animal grazing. Sometimes, zebu thieves light bushfires to hide their passage. Finally, bushfires can be caused by careless actions by travellers, such as throwing cigarette butts on national roads. These fires ravage the vegetation for days, until the local population intervenes, often only when their habitat is threatened.

Serious and Aggravated Consequences

These bushfires contribute to the progressive extinction of natural resources and biodiversity, while polluting the air, water and soil. Animal and plant species, with an endemism rate of 90%, are constantly threatened, including lemurs, chameleons, birds and baobabs. Uncontrolled deforestation results in high costs for the population in terms of human and animal health, as well as at the socio-economic level.

Conclusion

There needs to be up-to-date solutions. Environmental education, officially integrated into the Malagasy education system since 1990, does not seem to have produced the expected behaviours. Although environmental laws exist, their application is often weakened by lack of rigor and corruption. Hence the desire of some researchers for the establishment of a “green court” specialized in environmental affairs. Without effective and immediate measures, the endemic species of Madagascar, treasures of Africa and the planet, risk extinction. What interdisciplinary and interregional approach can be adopted to effectively save African biodiversity as a whole?

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