Combining Conservation & Development

Abstract

Madagascar is a land of contrasts, from the every day humid rainforest on the Masoala Peninsula, to the rough and sharp peaks of the Tsingy de Bemaraha, to the marshes of Lake Tsimanampetsotsa. And its people are equally divers, from Zebu keeper of Morondave, to the fisherman of the Lake Alaotra, to the rice cultivators of the Fianarantsoa. An even more impressive diversity can be found in the rich wildlife with its unique endemic features. Nevertheless, all these peculiarities are under enormous pressure. Human needs for natural resources such as wood for charcoal, bushmeat for protein supply or land for crop cultivations and cattle farming are putting deep, unsustainable impacts on the Malagasy environment. Conservation and development issues are becoming more and more important. Consequently the idea of a forum for the exchange of experiences and knowledge in the respective fields has arisen. Thanks to the positive feedback and the many contributions from researchers and organisations working in Madagascar, Madagascar Wildlife Conservation (MWC) and the Jane Goodall Institute Switzerland (JGI Switzerland) are able and happy to present the first issue of the new journal MADAGASCAR CONSERVATION & DEVELOPMENT – the MCD journal. The journal’s editorial board is constituted of experts from different disciplines, organizations and universities, which are all involved in conservation or development work in Madagascar.
Thanks to the board members voluntary work and extra hours, the professionalism of the numerous reviewers and the many contributions of the authors, this issue has become reality. The editors are proud to present already a broad variety of contributions ranging from scientific articles about reptile conservation, to the presentation of solar ovens as an alternative to charcoal use, to an essay about the fifteen years of NEAP (National Environmental Action Plan). MCD also presents an interview with three Malagasy women involved in different ways in the CPALI (Conservation trough Poverty Alleviation) Wild Silk Project. To keep this journal on a high standard for the future issues MCD encourages all young researchers and development workers, especially Malagasy scientists and conservationists, to contribute to this journal. Further, it is crucial that the readers provide feedback and tell their colleagues in conservation and development fields about this journal. This will give the journal a chance to become a viable forum of exchange of knowledge and technologies for Madagascar. The journal MCD is launched as an open source journal. The limited accessibility of the World Wide Web in Madagascar forces MCD to be also available as printed edition. To cover layout, printing and distribution costs MCD hopes to place in future (more) advertisements and announcements in the journal from the private sector. Sponsorships and funds will be very welcome and necessary. The journal will be distributed to universities, libraries, publishers and other suitable organisations, and of course any individuals interested in the field.