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Threats to Anjanaharibe-Sud April, 2007: Two cyclones (hurricanes) slammed into northeastern Madagascar last month... [more] March, 2006: Death threats force evacuation of volunteer from Marojejy... [more] December, 2005: Large truck slides off road in reserve, killing five... [more] October, 2005: Environmentally damaging road "repairs"... [more] September, 2005: Unauthorized collection of palms and takhtajania from Marojejy and Anjanaharibe-Sud... [more]
Worst still, the reserve is patrolled by only three conservation agents, and what few patrols there are are largely ineffective. Many areas of this beautiful and important reserve have not been patrolled in years, and it is common knowledge that undetected illegal activity occurs regularly throughout the reserve. Pressure is also increasingly felt on the narrow dirt road that runs through the heart of Anjanaharibe-Sud. This road, officially classified as a “national highway,” is used primarily by a few large, heavy, six-wheel-drive trucks that transport goods to and from villages on either side of the reserve. The road is maintained solely by the truck drivers and local villagers. The impacts of these heavy trucks on the road are considerable, with severe erosion, gullying and washouts common. Truck drivers and passengers are known to shoot lemurs as they are driving along the road through the reserve. One truck owner, a wealthy Andapa businessman, was caught shooting a babakoto (indri) in March, 2005; he received nothing more than a verbal warning as punishment (he also promised to help construct a campsite in the reserve sometime in the future). Plans being widely discussed within the government at present call for upgrading and paving this primitive road to create a major east-west transportation link across the country (joining the capital with the SAVA region (Sambava, Antalaha, Vohémar, Andapa). Such a major road corridor through the reserve is extremely ill-advised for a number of reasons:
An alternative to this road has been proposed that would run through less mountainous terrain outside of the reserve (through Amponaomby) to link the east and west coasts. If built, this new road would greatly decrease the pressures on the reserve and allow the current road to be used only for low-impact, park-related travel. A plan is also in the works calling for
the expansion of the reserve to include the western slopes of the Massif
as well as the eastern slopes that are currently protected (see map). If this plan
is indeed realized, it is possible that more Conservation Agents will
be hired, and more patrols will be conducted to help prevent some of the
serious problems that continue to plague this beautiful and irreplaceable
rainforest. A number of international organizations have programs in the Marojejy and Masoala areas which support local villagers in their efforts to protect their environment and improve health and education standards for all. Your donations are important to the success of these programs.
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