ANKENIHENY–ZAHAMENA CORRIDOR BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION (REDD+)

The project, initiated in 2007, aims to reduce deforestation and forest degradation in the primary Malagasy forests by establishing a 371,000-hectare protected area. It focuses on preserving the rich biodiversity found in the remaining fragments of the Malagasy rainforest.

The project actively involves local communities, promoting alternative livelihoods and offering sustainable income-generating activities. This approach helps reduce forest fragmentation and provides economic incentives for communities to participate in forest conservation.

By creating a protected area, the project contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, following the principles of REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation).

 The project is being managed by Madagascar's Ministry of the Environment, Ecology, Sea, and Forests, with technical support from the World Bank's BioCarbon Fund and Conservation International. The project has undergone verification processes to ensure its adherence to rigorous standards.

The Kasigau Corridor REDD+ Project has undergone rigorous verification processes by the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) and other recognized standards, ensuring the accuracy and integrity of the emission reductions achieved.

The project generates substantial community benefits by supporting activities that sustain livelihoods, such as fish farming, improved irrigated rice cultivation, and bean production. These alternatives provide economic opportunities, reduce reliance on slash-and-burn agriculture, and enhance agricultural productivity in the region.

The project has generated approximately 3,915,496 carbon credits, which are being sold in the voluntary carbon market. Income from carbon credits serves as an additional incentive for communities to conserve the forests

The Ankeniheny–Zahamena Corridor Biodiversity Conservation project has demonstrated success in reducing deforestation, achieving its development objectives, and making progress in implementation. Its positive outcomes and approaches can serve as a model for similar projects elsewhere.