PARC MIKEA - Study on historical deforestation and scenarios of future deforestation

Results show deforestation rates that reached in 2015, 3.82%/year in and around the park which places this region among the highest rates of deforestation of the planet.

Traditionally, slash-and-burn agriculture has been the main cause of deforestation. However, currently the impact of fire on the forest is increasing and is emphasised by degradation due to (i) illegal but widespread exploitation of rosewood and ebony and (ii) creation of windfall by cyclones.

These fires are lit for a number of reasons: voluntarily for the easy acquisition of new land for agriculture or accidentally when harvesting non-timber forest products or grazing maintenance.

While cotton growing has historically been a direct cause of deforestation or indirect cause by the reinvestment of additional benefits in new land at the edge of the forest, it is now located in savannah areas near highways and Tulear. It is a significant source of income for producers reducing their dependence on slash-and-burn agriculture.

Possible scenarios of future deforestation (see figure below) were based on the result of consultations with local stakeholders (via focus groups) and shows that in the absence of intervention providing convincing alternatives and guaranteeing law enforcement, the integrity of the Mikéa National Park is seriously threatened. The latest can completely disappear by 2026 in the case of the most pessimistic scenario.