New fuel wood forests hold out hope

WWF-Madagascar's Footprint program works to reduce specific human pressures on natural resources like fuel wood. One of WWF’s projects in the Southwest aims to plant forests which are dedicated for charcoal production; Voahirana Randriambola, Coordinator of the Footprint program, is convinced that this is a way to save the natural spiny forest in the big island’s South.

“We work with local communities and show them a new technique, so that they can produce same amount of charcoal with much less wood," said Randriambola.

"We encourage and help them to plant trees as source of income in the mid and long term. And last but not least, we are working with different stakeholders to make sure the fuel wood chain of custody is sustainably managed on every level. ”

WWF's efforts have resulted in an order regulating the chain of custody for fuel wood in the Atsimo Andrefana (Southwestern) Region. WWF will work with the Head of the Southwestern Regionand the different stakeholders unified in a regional energy forest commission on the challenge of enforcement.

“This is a sign of hope and a step into the right direction," Randriambola said . "But we call on national authorities to get a grip on the situation at a national level.

"We are willing to share the experience of the Southwestern Region for a better understanding of the wood energy issue in the whole country. It is clear that the development and implementation of policy, strategy and clear national regulations on this chain of custody is more than necessary in the light of increasing problems and the importance of charcoal in daily households.”