A New Era of Conservation Where People and Nature Thrive
Explore ConservationImagine a world where over 90% of the wildlife exists nowhere else on Earth—a living laboratory of evolution that has followed its own unique path for millions of years.
This is not science fiction; this is Madagascar, the fourth largest island in the world and home to one of the planet's most remarkable collections of life forms. From the iconic lemurs—the most endangered mammals on the planet with over 98% of species threatened—to bizarre baobabs and camouflaged chameleons, Madagascar's biological wealth is unparalleled 4 .
The conservation challenge is complex, intertwined with deep-seated human needs—Madagascar is also one of the world's poorest nations, where rural communities often depend directly on natural resources for survival 2 .
In this article, we explore how a new era of conservation is emerging across Madagascar—one that moves beyond simply fencing off nature toward a more holistic approach that recognizes the inextricable links between healthy ecosystems and human well-being. Through innovative community-led initiatives, scientific research, and sustainable investment, Madagascar is pioneering conservation models that aim to secure a future where both people and nature can thrive together 1 3 .
For much of the 20th century, the dominant approach to conservation in Madagascar and across much of the Global South was what critics term the "fortress conservation" model. This framework established protected areas where human activities were restricted or prohibited, creating islands of biodiversity surrounded by communities often excluded from decision-making processes that directly affected their lives and livelihoods 2 .
This approach was rooted in colonial-era narratives that frequently pitted Malagasy people against Madagascar's biodiversity. As emerging scholarship reveals, 19th-century scientists, naturalists, and missionaries often created and reinforced the need for Western intervention to "save" what nature remained, justifying colonial resource management in the process. This enduring legacy arguably remains influential in modern conservation, despite decades of evidence suggesting its limitations 2 .
Resource extraction with limited conservation focus
"Fortress conservation" model emerges
Recognition of community rights begins
Protected Area legislation includes community governance
Environmental and Social Management Framework reform
Contemporary conservation science and practice in Madagascar have undergone a significant transformation, recognizing that long-term environmental sustainability requires addressing human needs. As one conservation leader succinctly stated: "While Madagascar's biodiversity enriches the lives of all humanity, poor rural Malagasy must not be the ones who pay the cost of its conservation" 1 .
This philosophical shift has translated into practical policy changes. In August 2025, Madagascar reached a significant milestone with the reform of its protected area policy, known as the Environmental and Social Management Framework (CGES). This reform represents the culmination of four years of multi-stakeholder efforts and marks the beginning of a new era for protected area management in Madagascar—one that is more equitable, participatory, and aligned with international standards 3 .
| Aspect | Traditional "Fortress" Approach | Contemporary Community-Based Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy | Protect nature from people | People as partners in conservation |
| Governance | Top-down decision making | Participatory and inclusive planning |
| Primary Focus | Biodiversity protection | Integrated ecological and human well-being |
| Local Community Role | Subjects of restrictions | Active stewards and co-managers |
| Livelihood Considerations | Secondary concern | Central to conservation strategy |
In the heart of Madagascar's Itremo Massif Protected Area, a groundbreaking initiative has been testing a new approach to conservation management: the Community Governance Convention (CGC). Piloted through the MIRARI project, this initiative represents a practical application of the CGES reform, serving as a living laboratory for understanding how participatory governance can transform conservation outcomes 3 .
The CGC process was designed as a rigorous experiment in co-management, bringing together local communities and protected area managers to negotiate and co-develop governance rules that balance biodiversity conservation with livelihood needs. The process was facilitated by an impartial team that ensured all voices were heard and power imbalances were addressed. While the CGC had a legal mandate under Madagascar's 2015 Protected Area legislation, implementation had been limited due to a lack of clear guidance and resources until this pilot program 3 .
The outcomes from the Itremo Massif pilot demonstrate the transformative potential of this approach. While the process faced challenges—including complex negotiations and capacity gaps—the results have been promising across multiple dimensions:
| Indicator Category | Specific Metric | Pre-CGC Status | Post-CGC Status | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Protection | Deforestation rate | High | Moderate | Significant reduction |
| Community Engagement | Households participating in conservation | Limited | Widespread | Substantial increase |
| Livelihood Security | Access to sustainable resources | Restricted | Improved | Meaningful improvement |
| Governance Quality | Trust in management institutions | Low | High | Rebuilt |
| Biodiversity Protection | Key species monitoring | Declining populations | Stabilizing | Positive trend |
The ecological benefits are clear—reduced deforestation rates and better protection for globally threatened biodiversity. However, the social outcomes are equally significant: improved trust between communities and protected area managers, increased participation in conservation activities, and enhanced livelihood security. As the protected area manager from RBG Kew noted, the CGC has proven to be "a practical mechanism that can improve governance, strengthen trust and accountability among co-managers, and improve both social equity and ecological outcomes" 3 .
The success in Itremo has demonstrated that when conservation respects both biodiversity and community rights, it creates a virtuous cycle where improved livelihoods reduce pressure on forests, which in turn enhances ecosystem services that support those livelihoods. This approach is now being expanded to additional protected areas as part of a carefully designed evaluation comparing control and intervention sites, which will provide further insights into how the tool adapts to different contexts 3 .
Modern conservation science in Madagascar relies on an array of sophisticated research tools and methodologies that enable scientists to monitor ecosystems, track species, and evaluate the effectiveness of conservation interventions.
Analysis of lemur populations using microbiomics to determine historical habitat connectivity and genetic diversity 2 .
Monitoring wildlife movement and behavior to document species presence, distribution, and behavior without disruption 4 .
Tracking lemur movement patterns to understand habitat use, seasonal movements, and responses to disturbance 4 .
Quantifying fish communities in coral reefs to gather baseline data on marine biodiversity and ecosystem health 9 .
Mapping coral reef structures to monitor changes in marine habitats over time 9 .
Assessing community needs and perceptions to inform tailored conservation and development initiatives 4 .
The integration of these diverse methods allows conservation scientists to develop a comprehensive understanding of both ecological and social systems. As researchers from Duke University's Bass Connections program note, this requires an interdisciplinary approach that collects data "in both the forest to collect lemur data and villages to collect community-centric materials" 2 . This methodological pluralism is essential for addressing the complex, intertwined challenges of biodiversity conservation and human well-being in Madagascar.
The ambitious goals of Madagascar's new conservation paradigm require significant investment and innovative financing mechanisms.
Traditional conservation funding has often been short-term and project-based, but there is growing recognition of the need for sustainable financing approaches that can support long-term, systemic change.
Recent initiatives demonstrate promising directions:
These investments recognize that conservation success depends on addressing fundamental development challenges. As Madagascar's energy situation illustrates, only 16.5% of the population has access to an electricity grid, a number that drops to 6.2% in rural areas . This energy poverty drives reliance on forest resources for fuel, contributing to the loss of Madagascar's forest cover. By addressing these root causes through sustainable energy solutions, conservation investments can achieve more lasting impact.
Organizations like Wildlife Madagascar are working toward ambitious decade-long goals that include preserving 10 biologically diverse sites, planting 10 million trees, and bringing food security to people adjacent to each field site 4 . This integrated approach acknowledges that conservation cannot succeed without addressing human needs and aspirations.
Madagascar's journey toward a more inclusive and effective conservation model offers valuable lessons for the global community. As we face interconnected crises of biodiversity loss and climate change, the Madagascar experience demonstrates that successful conservation must be socially just and economically sustainable.
The Community Governance Convention piloted in Itremo shows that when local communities are genuinely engaged as partners rather than treated as obstacles, conservation outcomes improve for both people and nature. As this approach is expanded to other protected areas, Madagascar has the opportunity to develop a scalable model for conservation that respects both ecological limits and human rights.
For the unique plants, animals, and people of Madagascar—and for all of us who value our planet's biological heritage—this new era of conservation offers hope that we can indeed secure a sustainable natural environment for future generations.