Zazamalala foundation Madagascar

The dry forests of western Madagascar are the most threatened ecosystem in the world, only 3% remains. Zazamalala restores wilderness by buying barren land and changing it into new forest. All reforestation is done with endemic trees in a 100 different species per hectare. Hence, Zazamalala does not only plant trees, it restores lost wilderness. Zazamalala works together with the local people and supports the community living around the forest. You can help as a volunteer, scientist or donor!

ZAZAMALALA RESTORES THE ORIGINAL WILDERNESS

Our 50 years of experience in Madagascar have resulted in a holistic approach comprising extensive maintenance and protection of the forest, planting new forest, breeding endangered animals and plants, and supporting and developing the local community.

To accomplish this, Zazamalala maintains a nursery with predominantly endangered tree seedlings; plants over more than 100 different species of endemic trees per hectare (2,471 acres) to accommodate the needs of the animals that used to live in these forests; manages a botanical garden with hundreds of rare plants for seed collection; houses a tortoise and turtle breeding centre; and welcomes visitors and scientists to conduct research. Last but not least, community development remains a primary focus.

This means giving as many local people as possible paid work and thereby make them economically independent. It also implies education about issues such as nature conservation, climate change, and health care. Zazamalala provides French lessons on three local schools. Zazamalala distributes ADES solar cookers to make local mothers independent of fuelwood from the forest. We construct latrines and water pumps to provide the people with clean drinking water. Finally, Zazamalala helps with medical aid and pays the costs of critical care surgery for local people at the Morondava hospital. The holistic Zazamalala approach to nature conservation conforms with the 2015 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.

Conservation

Zazamalala takes care of maintenance and protection of the current Zazamalala Forest, but most work is focused on expanding it. This includes managing a nursery with 75,000 tree seedlings – the majority of which are rare – and the breeding of endangered animals.

Reforestation

Zazamalala is protecting and expanding the remaining 3% forest of West Madagascar. Each year, 50 to 100 hectare (123,5 to 247 acres) of desolate, barren wasteland are transformed into a thriving forest.