Mada at the heart
There are six of them, all passionate about nature and ecology. The project of these UM students is to create a marine protected area on Nosy Lava Island, a threatened gem in northern Madagascar. They set off on their adventure on June 4.
Welcome to Madagascar, known as “Mada” to those in the know. As the world’s fifth-largest island, it is home to a vast number of endemic plant and animal species. North of the main island lies Nosy Lava: situated at the entrance to Narinda Bay, this small island inhabited by fishermen is a paradise of biodiversity. But it is a paradise under threat…
Biodiversity at risk
In 2014, the island’s residents turned to Opti’Pousse Haie, an organization specializing in sustainable local development. “The Sakalava people are struggling,” explains Emilie Lucchese, vice president of the organization. “Poaching, the animal trade, mangrove destruction, intensive fishing… This overexploitation of resources is mainly the work of people from outside the island. It is tragic because the local population—a small fishing community—depends directly on these natural resources.”
At the Faculty of Sciences in Montpellier, six students are taking action. Marie, Ninon, Florine, Tiffany, Quentin, and Gaël are ecology students who are “passionate about nature and eager to share their knowledge and skills.” Their project: to help establish a marine protected area. They’ve named the project Protect Mada, and it’s funded by the Student Initiative Solidarity and Development Fund and supported by the Opti’Pousse Haie association. But they know it’s going to be a long road…
Marine Protected Area
First step: collecting the scientific data needed to put together a proposal. This is no challenge for these enthusiasts, who will spend the coming summer exploring the extraordinary environment of Nosy Lava and learning about the locals’ way of life. On the agenda: compiling an inventory of the island’s biodiversity, analyzing its resources—in short,“demonstrating the ecological and cultural value of the local environment.”
An exciting first phase of the study, but one that promises to be no easy task… Ninon, who will be joining the expedition, is well aware of this:“We’re going to meet the fishermen and try to understand their practices and their worldview. How do they fish? Do they have strategies for protecting their resources? They’ll have to accept us into their daily lives, aboard their boats. It won’t be easy!”
Local population
Working in pairs, the students will try to gather the scientific data needed for their project, with each group accompanied by a local resident. Their presence on the island also serves another purpose: to raise awareness within the small local community about environmental conservation and to enable them to become fully involved in the project.
“Our organization is committed to involving villagers in scientific research, ”says Emilie Lucchese. “By actively participating, each member of the community has a voice and plays an active role in shaping the future of their environment.” Once the project is complete, the marine protected area is expected to be managed locally by the villagers themselves.
You can find the print version of this article in LUM magazine.
The Student Initiative Solidarity and Development Fund
As a tool for fostering solidarity and student engagement, the FSDIE was established to help students fund their projects in a wide range of fields (culture, humanitarian aid, sports, solidarity, the environment, civic engagement, etc.). It also provides financial support to students facing significant hardship or living in precarious circumstances, in collaboration with CROUS social workers.