Fourth quarterly report February 2014 AEECL Madagascar Lot IVH 169 N Ambohimanandray Antananarivo guyhrand@hotmail.com 1
Many thanks to the following AEECL members and partners for their contributions If your logo needs updating, please email it to administrator@aeecl.org 2
Forth Quarterly report Table of content 1. Reforestation assessment... 3 2. Construction of well... 3 3. Camp improvement... 5 4. Inauguration of school in Ambolobozo... 6 5. Donation of school tables from "Association turquoise"... 8 6. Visit by a member of "Reserve de Calviac"... 9 7. Renovation of classrooms... 10 8. Establishment of scholarship... 11 9. Park local Committees... 11 10. Reaction towards food shortage... 11 11. Subsidy on teaching... 12 12. Repairs of boat motor... 12 13. Training certificate for skippers... 12 14. Land acquisition... 12 15. Tourist activity... 13 16. MNP guides certification; Holy... 16 17. Ankarafa campsite... 16 18. MNP/AEECL MoU... 21 19. Bushfires... 21 20. Team Building... 22 21. Dani-Peace Corps Volunteer... 23 List of photos Photo 1 Reforestation follow up and seedbed preparation... 3 Photo 2 Women gathering rocks and sands Photo 3 Removing rocks inside the well... 4 Photo 4 Installing the water pump Photo 5 pumping out the water from the well 5 Photo 6 Broken pipe Photo 7 Drop down of "buses"... 5 Photo 8 New table at the research camp... 5 Photo 9 Speeches Photo 10 Ribbon cutting... 6 Photo 11 Kids preparing the masks for the carnival Photo 12 Carnival... 6 Photo 13 PLC training... 7 Photo 14 Isaïa and Guy with sarongs... 8 Photo 15 Local carpenter Photo 16 School tables... 8 Photo 17 School tables expose to villagers... 9 Photo 18 Rain gauge from Reserve de Calviac Photo 19 Mylène and Guy... 9 Photo 20 Mylène with villagers during the carnival... 10 1
Photo 21 New ceiling for school in Maromandia Photo 22 School repainted in Maromandia... 10 Photo 23 School in Ambalahônko Photo 24 Dividing wall which will be changed... 11 Photo 25 AEECL Boat... 12 Photo 26 Breakfast in Maromandia Photo 27 Shaded-space tent provided by AEECL... 14 Photo 28 Meal at the campsite Photo 29 Forest walk with guide Odia and researcher Bella... 14 Photo 30 Clients,guides and staff at the campsite Photo 31 Walk to Ampasipitily... 15 Photo 32 Visit of Analalava beach and town Photo 33 The eve prior to departure with Dani and Holy... 15 Photo 34 Meal with the children Photo 35 Evaluation with the guides and Mlle Niry (MNP)... 16 Photo 36 Tent shelters with ravinala roofing... 17 Photo 37 The building over the well Photo 38 Some of the rocks removed from the well... 17 Photo 39 Water is pumped up the hill in two stages Photo 40 Oil drums filled with water at campsite level... 18 Photo 41 Departure from Antsohihy Photo 42 Large tree trunks were necessary to ford the river near Antafiabe... 19 Photo 43 Design of the main house... 20 Photo 44 Making cement bricks Photo 45 Construction has started... 20 Photo 46 Smoke rising from a bushfire as seen from the campsiteat the site... 21 Photo 47 Extinguishing with branches Photo 48 Huge flames near Ambolobozo as seen from the campsite... 22 Photo 49 Annick and Ragina at Ankarafa campsite Photo 50 Jacquis and Auréni in Antsohihy... 22 Photo 51 Dani (and guide Hortencia) on the boat during the trip with tourists... 23 Acronyms APMF : EPP : FRAM: MN : MNP : PLC : ZAP : Agent Portuaire Maritime et Fluvial-Maritime and River Harbour Agent Ecole Primaire Publique-public school Fikambanan'ny Ray Aman-drenin'ny Mpianatra- Association of parent's pupils Mikajy Natiora Madagascar National Parks Park Local Commitees Zone d'administration Pédagogique- Pedagogical Administration Zone 2
In this fourth quarterly report, we will invite you to find progress that has been made during October to December 2013. These activities were carried out in the Sahamalaza-Île Radama National Park in order to better protect the biodiversity of the park and to support local population. Ecotourism activities are also presented in this report. This report is compiled by Guy Randriatahina, Programme Director as well as Jolijn Geels, Ecotourism Consultant. 1. Reforestation assessment Following the reforestation campaign which took place at the beginning of the year 2013, the Association of nursery gardener convened all its members to participate in the maintenance of young trees. The work began on the 02 October 2013 and lasted 3 days. The purpose of the maintenance is to assess the survival rate of young trees and to weed in order to fight against the competing vegetation. They were 65 participants. In total, 50000 young trees were weeded. They reported that around 80% of exotic trees survived while 50% for native trees. Exotic trees have remarkable capacity on adaptation to all types of soil. However the difficulties of survival of planted indigenous plants are caused by drought and low retain capacity of water and soil compaction. After weeding the sapling, they prepared seedbed for future reforestation campaign at the beginning of 2014. 16000 plants are potted and will be reforested. As shown in photo 1, they used bamboo column as plant pots. The nursery gardeners managed themselves to produce young plants in order to continue reforestation. Thus even the AEECL will not support the reforestation in the 2014 campaign; they ask if AEECL could provide 100 rolls of plant pot, 50 watering cans, 20 wheelbarrows, 100 shovels and a solution for the insects which devour young plants. Photo 1 Reforestation follow up and seedbed preparation 2. Construction of well This year, three wells should be built in 3 different villages including Analamazava, Kapany and Antsatsaka. For Analamazava, drilling began and there was already water. However at 6 m depth, rocks appeared. According to the wellbuilder, water exists in the well but it might be dry up during the hottest dry season. 3
They went to Kapany to examine the place where the well will be installed. During their visit, the village was flooded by the first rains in November, any inspection could not do and any construction could not start either. For Antsatsaka which received a donation from Rotary Club, the construction is delayed, it began in January. Villagers were mobilized and participated during the construction. They collected rocks and sands. They helped in removing rocks inside the well. The wellbuilder drilled around 6 m depth and found water. To make sure that water will be available during the dry season, they would drill up to 9m deep. They have used a water pump to dry up the water in the well. Two discharge pipes were broken when pumping out the water. It was a tough work but workers were motivated. As the rain continues to come, they could not dry up the water and it was impossible to dig further. They had to give up and will continue the work during the next dry season. Photo 2 Women gathering rocks and sands Photo 3 Removing rocks inside the well 4
Photo 4 Installing the water pump Photo 5 pumping out the water from the well Photo 6 Broken pipe Photo 7 Drop down of "buses" 3. Camp improvement At the research camp, we have only one table which is used for both dining and working. When several people come at the same time, only few of them can sit down together, others have to find another place away. To avoid this problem, we built another table which could receive up to 8 people. This table is built by a villager from Ambolobozo, we chose local craftsman in order to develop their value. Photo 8 New table at the research camp 5
4. Inauguration of school in Ambolobozo A new school is built in the village of Ambolobozo last year. This school is offered in exchange for the protection of Ankarafa forest over 15 years. The school was built last year and villagers already used it. The official inauguration took place in November 14, 2013. The village was animated during the memorial event. Local authorities including the mayor, head of villages,local associations, organization of support such as the AEECL, the MNP and Mikajy Natiora attended the event. One staff from "Reserve de Calviac" in France was also present. Schools were closed and almost teachers from ZAP of Ambolobozo were present. All messages during the speech have underlined both the importance of environment protection and collaboration. The AEECL speech insisted about the respect of the contract which is not destroying the forest. Photo 9 Speeches Photo 10 Ribbon cutting During the event The Association Mikajy Natiora conducted an environmental education activity. MN made masks for the pupils and organized a carnival through the village afterwards they organized famous "radio-crochet" about the protection of the environment. Also, Mikajy Natiora with the collaboration of MNP and the AEECL association organized training for PLC working in Ambolobozo on the use of GPS and the code of protected areas. Photo 11 Kids preparing the masks for the carnival Photo 12 Carnival 6
Photo 13 PLC training To thank the guests, the association of women from the village performed showed a traditional dance and offered sarongs to the AEECL Programme Director, Guy Randriatahina and Sahamalaza Park Director, Raymond Isaïa. 7
Photo 14 Isaïa and Guy with sarongs 5. Donation of school tables from "Association turquoise" The "Association turquoise" from Mulhouse zoo continues to support the local communities in Sahamalaza. After offering a community school in Antafiabe, they offered 50 school tables for the new school in Ambolobozo. These tables were given during the inauguration of school. In order to help the villagers, these tables are built by villagers. Photo 15 Local carpenter Photo 16 School tables 8
Photo 17 School tables expose to villagers 6. Visit by a member of "Reserve de Calviac" Since last year, Reserve de Calviac came to visit Sahamalaza specially activities that AEECL undertakes. In 2013, another staff came. She was present during the inauguration of the school and visited the site of reforestation in Ambinda. She supposed to meet the educational officials in Maromandia but this meeting did not take place because they were not present during her visit in Maromandia. The "Reserve de Calviac" offered some field equipments including one tent, one backpack and 2 rain gauges for the camp. The rain gauge is installed to complete climate data in the research station. Photo 18 Rain gauge from Reserve de Calviac Photo 19 Mylène and Guy 9
Photo 20 Mylène with villagers during the carnival 7. Renovation of classrooms During our last visit in November, classroom renovation is done in Maromandia, while in Ambalahonko, it is still on progress. In Maromandia, rehabilitation consisted in repainting the EPP which was built in 1904 and in changing the ceiling. As the fund granted was not sufficient to rehabilitate the entire building thus only one classroom was repainted. Photo 21 New ceiling for school in Maromandia Photo 22 School repainted in Maromandia In Ambalahônko, rehabilitation work consisted in changing the old doors and windows, setting a new dividing wall and changing the roof. Only doors and some windows are repaired so far but villagers will finish the work. Most of the them were busy for the farm and agriculture work, therefore the accomplishment of the work will depend on their availability. 10
so they will continue to finish the work do the rest according to their availability. Most of them were busy for the work in the field. Photo 23 School in Ambalahônko Photo 24 Dividing wall which will be changed 8. Establishment of scholarship The "Reserve de Calviac" would offer a scholarship to students of high schools in Maromandia to alleviate the costs of schooling and to motivate them to go to school and to be aware about the protection of the environment. A meeting is planned in November but it has not taken place because local officials were not available. Then it reported in 23 December 2013. After meeting with some teachers, Headmaster of the school and President of the association of pupil's parents, we decided that they will select students depending on the financial situation of the parents. 9. Park local Committees The MNP plans to give micro-project to the PLC, therefore, they reorganize its composition. At present, the PLC is composed of 15 persons instead of 3 or 4 persons before. Together, they will establish a project that they can submit to the MNP. Members will elect a president who will manage their project and will coordinate their work. Each member participates successively in the patrol. The PLC who works in Ankarafa and paid by the AEECL will also get benefit from that. With the coordination of the MNP, the PLC members held several workshops in order to implement the project. The MNP took this decision to motivate the PLC members, to improve their works and to involve more villagers. 10. Reaction towards food shortage Longtime ago people could predict the rainy season, nowadays, everything is changed. It seems like the rain season was changed. To avoid surprise as last year on rice growing, everyone tried to find solution. Many of villagers have chose to grow others food crop such as corns and cassava. Their house backyards are often converted into field to prevent theft and to control zebus. Others continue to practice "tavy" or slash-and-burn agriculture even it is main source of problem. 11
11. Subsidy on teaching During the annual assessment of subsidized teachers, pollsters made remarks to some teachers. Thus, in the ZAP of Ambolobozo, we suspended the following teachers such as Parfait Rafalimanana in the village of Befanivana who is accused of illegal logging of mangroves and Tsivaka Philibert in the village of Ambararata who did not teach during the school year. For ZAP Maromandia, 3 subsidized teachers are recruited and another is assigned out of the coverage area by the grant. In their places, we have recruited new ones that are proposed by the FRAM and are accepted by the head of ZAP. If we review the contract, teachers must be diligent and respecting hours of work put in place by the head of education. It is stipulated in the contract that each one must be a model for the protection of the environment. The decision we have taken to show others that we monitor them and are ready to take decision if necessary. 12. Repairs of boat motor The engine is finally repaired, after having maintained for several months in Antananarivo. Repair is made at Polyma where the engine has been purchased. Battery is also replaced because the old one did not work anymore. The team used the small spare engine during the reparation. Photo 25 AEECL Boat 13. Training certificate for skippers Both skippers Yvess and Andry received their certificates after the training that they followed in May in Nosy Be. The certificate is offered by the APMF (see page 23). This is to certify that they have fulfilled the training and they are considered as professional skipper. They are currently preparing some documents for their professional card. 14. Land acquisition Progress on land acquisition is very slow. Our document is received by "Circonscription domaniale et foncière" in Antsohihy. In June, land conservation fee is paid and we can move on to get the land title. However, we still need the Head of service's assent to get this. Then, we will know the exact price of the land. After getting the land title, here after are the next steps: 12
- boundary marking, - purchase of the plot, - regional approval, - payment of tax, - paper issue. We have to pass all of those steps and with slow services of the public administration, the duration of document treatment will not quick. 15. Tourist activity 10-Day itinerary to assess guides performance Two tourists from the Netherlands requested a 10-day itinerary that would include a visit to the Ankarafa forest. They agreed that the trip would be a test drive for the guides, to be fully evaluated in order to assess the quality and level of their performance. The trip was fully organised by Holy, who is both AEECL office assistant and president of the guides association Sofia Guides Touristiques (SGT). SGT guides were involved, we had several meetings in preparation of the trip. Four guides were given the opportunity to get some experience as guide accompagnateur (as opposed to a local guide for a short excursion). Since the clients did not speak any French, and the guides do not speak sufficient English, we had to provide a translator. For the first half of the trip, Jolijn Geels (Ecotourism Consultant) acted as driver/translator, and for the second half, Danielle Shannon (Dani-Peace Corps volunteer, see below) was willing to be the translator. It was the first time for Holy to fully organise a multiple-day itinerary, and she did really well. She wrote a script to be used by the guides, with all the information about the trip, the costs and details on transport etc. and made sure all was well communicated with the four guides concerned. The itinerary included: With guide Saïd: - Pickup from Hellville-Nosy Be; - Visit of Maromandia and a nearby fisherman s village; - Pirogue trip to see fruitbats and mangrove; Guide Odia: - Two nights at the Ankarafa campsite; - Walks in the Ankarafa forest and visit of the Research Station; Guide Hortencia: - Walk to Ampasipitily (coastal village) and camping on the beach; - Two days boattrip with overnight stay on an island (Nosy Lava); Guide Adama: - Visit of Analalava; - Antsohihy city walk; - Private transport to Antananarivo (no guide). 13
We did not charge the clients any extra fees, they just paid the real expenses. In return, the clients were willing to provide extensive feedback on the programme and the guides performances. Clients were invited to the AEECL house to share their first impressions. They were generally very satisfied with the programme and with guides performances. Since we had asked for extensive feedback, they mentioned some details that could have been better, but these had not affected the overall feeling of being well looked after in every way. They found the programme to be well balanced, and in line with their expectations (based on the information we had provided). They were overwhelmed by the input of all individuals, and by their hospitality. The highlight of the trip was the stay at the Ankarafa campsite and the visit to Ankarafa forest. All in all, the clients were very happy, and so were we since we had all worked so well as a team, planning and organising the trip, and making it happen. Photo 26 Breakfast in Maromandia Photo 27 Shaded-space tent provided by AEECL Photo 28 Meal at the campsite Photo 29 Forest walk with guide Odia and researcher Bella 14
Photo 30 Clients,guides and staff at the campsite Photo 31 Walk to Ampasipitily Photo 32 Visit of Analalava beach and town Photo 33 The eve prior to departure with Dani and Holy Evaluation of the trip Clients later sent detailed feedback, and Dani also wrote a report. This information was used for a full days evaluation with the 4 guides and some other SGT members. The evaluation was attended by Mme Niry, the MNP Tourist Hostess. We used different remarks to discuss the guides performance, but taking the examples to a more general level. The guides were able to link their experience and the feedback to the theory, excercises and role plays of previous trainings. All felt that the trip had been a success and a very useful experience, and that the evaluation added significantly to the expereince gained. NB Since this was the first formal meeting at the newly built AEECL guesthouse, we inaugurated the house according to local tradition prior to the meeting. This is done in the presence of children, because they bring good luck. We had a meal of rice porridge and honey with the children (custom for the occasion), and spent some time with them showing pictures of the forest, lemurs and other animals. 15
Photo 34 Meal with the children Photo 35 Evaluation with the guides and Mlle Niry (MNP) 16. MNP guides certification; Holy Of all the AEECL-trained tourguides, 9 received further training by AEECL, Durrell and MNP in 2011-2012 to become MNP-recognised guides. They have now been invited by MNP to sign an agreement, to become MNP-certified guides. A requirement is that they should first register as professional guides and obtain a carte professionelle at the Ministery of Tourism in Tana. Holy would assist the guides to gather the necessary documents and send in the application. The proceedings were interrupted when Holy gave birth on 23 November, well before her due date. Holy went on maternity leave for the remainder of 2013. The proceedings for the guides registration have therefore been postponed until January 2014. We congratulate Holy and her husband with the birth of their son Uriel, who is doing very well despite his early arrival. 17. Ankarafa campsite Tent shelters The first three tent shelters have been put in place. All are made of natural materials since this is visually the most attractive for tourists. It is a variation of an A-frame design. The poles supporting the ravinala roof are fixed in the soil, and the roof almost reaches the ground for good shade, but allowing some ventilation. The front and back are open, which is preferabe during the dry season. During the rainy season, some protection is needed against strong winds and rain. 16
Photo 36 Tent shelters with ravinala roofing After the rainy season we will assess how the tent shelters survived the rainy season, and modify the design where necessary (ie. protection against rain and wind). We will then complete the total number of 12 tent shelters. The well Huge delays and problem solving have now come to an end. The building over the well is finished, it only needs a coat of paint but this is not urgent and it will be done after the rainy season in 2014. Mid November, the work to deepen the well by another 2 meters was finished. It had been a painstaking job, workers have had to remove 2 meters of rocks and boulders. Work had been interrupted a few times, mostly since the team became demotivated and new team members had to be found and once bacause all wanted to assist the Lemur Festival in Antafiabe (see QR-3/2013). But at long last the well was finished again. Photo 37 The building over the well Photo 38 Some of the rocks removed from the well Due to the severe drought of 2012/13, the water level of many wells in the Sahamalaza region had dropped dramatically, many wells even dried up. The well at the campsite suffered the 17
same fate, and the water level started dropping again despite the fact that we increased the depth. After the work was done, we contented ourselves with the fact that we still had water (80cms). After the first rains into the 2013/14 rainy season (starting in December), the water level rose quickly and is expected to continue to rise. By the end of December 2013, we had 3,65m, enough to install the solar pump at last. This is scheduled for January 2014. Awaiting the installation of the solar pump, a temporary solution was implemented to pump water to oil drums positioned on a higher level near the campsite, making use of the fuel powered waterpump and 50m of flexible piping. This was necessary to allow the construction at the campsite to go ahead, as huge quantities of water are needed and carrying that much water by the jerrycan all the way up was no option. Photo 39 Water is pumped up the hill in two stages Photo 40 Oil drums filled with water at campsite level Construction of main building Caused by various problems, the construction of the main building has suffered huge delays in 2013 (see QR-3/2013). As a result, there were many unforeseen expenses: Around 100 unused, (partially) hardened bags of cement had to be replaced; Fees for the Madasoleil technician (who could not install the solar pump during his August visit due to the insufficient water level in the well); Extra tools had to be purchased for the work at the well (fuel-powered water pump, fuel, pipes and fittings, digging and hacking tools); Fees and provisions for the workers at the well; Fuel for the AEECL vehicle for many extra trips to the campsite; Purchase of empty oil barrels and more pipes for the temporary water solution. By the end of November (towards the end of the 2013 contract of the Ecotourism Consultant), a lot of work had been done but little progress had been made, and the budget had been usurped by the many extra expenses. 18
Under normal circumstances, construction activities are halted during the rainy season (Dec- April). However, building at least the main house was urgent, since the temporary campsite is very open-planned (hence exposure to the elements) and the tents used by staff had severely deteriorated as a result. The campsite staff urgently needed a better roof over their heads. The Ecotourism Consultant therefore decided to extend her stay with an extra three months on a voluntary basis, and with help from the AEECL board emergency funding was secured (Quagga-The Zoo Conservation Fund; 6000 ). We now faced another challenge, ie. start the construction at the very beginning of the rainy season on a location where access by road would soon become virtually impossible. A builder and a transporter were contracted, and the truck with the team of builders, materials and provisions arrived at the campsite on 14 December. It had taken them three days to cover the 47kms off the tarred road to the construction site at Ankarafa. Photo 41 Departure from Antsohihy Photo 42 Large tree trunks were necessary to ford the river near Antafiabe 19
Photo 43 Design of the main house Photo 44 Making cement bricks Photo 45 Construction has started 20
Apart from the main house, the team will build some toilet and shower facilities. The team will stay until the work is finished (2-3 months), and the transporter will see to it that the rest of the materials will be transported, either by truck, or by boat and zebu-carts. 18. MNP/AEECL MoU In December, MNP requested to draw a text for an extra clause in the existing MoU, stipulating the character of the collaboration concerning the campsite and the future transfer of management of the campsite. The transfer of management of an NGO-financed and -built campsite to MNP is unprecedented in Madagascar, therefore there are no existing procedures and no evaluations to learn from. Care must be taken that the benefit of the campsite (ie. job opportunities, revenue streams) will lie with the local communities of Sahamalaza, and there are many other considerations. Due to the Christmas holidays (hence long leave of MNP staff), further discussion was reported to 2014. 19. Bushfires There have been many bushfires in Sahamalaza this year, and some of them very near to the forest. These pictures were taken from the campsite on the same day (07 November). Since one fire was really close by, we went there to assist villagers to put out the fire with branches, sticks and shovels. Photo 46 Smoke rising from a bushfire as seen from the campsiteat the site 21
Photo 47 Extinguishing with branches Photo 48 Huge flames near Ambolobozo as seen from the campsite 20. Team Building The AEECL-Antsohihy house and office have four staff members: Holy (Office Assistant), Annick (Housekeeper), Ragina (Gardener) and Pierrot (Nightwatch). Their actual work is more diverse, all are willing to do odd jobs when needed. Amongst others, this includes buying provisions and some construction materials for the Ankarafa campsite. Holy had already visited Ankarafa during the guides trainings, the other three hadn t and their curiosity about the campsite, the forest and the lemurs was growing. During the multiple trips to the campsite, all three were given the opportunity to come along and visit the campsite, meet the staff, visit the research station and visit the forest. In return, Jacquis (First Responsible of the campsite) and Auréni (Assistant) came to Antsohihy, to assist negotiations with builders and be informed in detail about the construction plans. They stayed at the guest house for four days. Photo 49 Annick and Ragina at Ankarafa campsite Photo 50 Jacquis and Auréni in Antsohihy The exchange of staff has had a very positive effect on the team spirit, as the teams are now connected and they have a better understanding of what is going on at the other end and of the project as a whole. It has boosted the motivation of all, which truly made a difference when we were up to the difficult task of setting things in motion for the construction at the beginning of the rainy season. 22
For example: Annick volunteered to travel to Ankarafa with the truck (carrying the team of builders, provisions and materials, see above) to cook for them along the way, and to carry documents on behalf of the Ecotourism Consultant. 21. Dani-Peace Corps Volunteer Danielle Shannon (Dani) from the USA has been a Peace Corps volunteer since May 2012. She is based in Maromandia, also the seat of MNP Sahamalaza-Iles Radama. The character of her work as a volunteer is overlapping with AEECL projects in more than one way, and since she works with many peope of the same network, we have met several times (see QR-3/2013). Dani also volunteered to translate during the tourist test drive (see above). Photo 51 Dani (and guide Hortencia) on the boat during the trip with tourists Dani s two years (the standard period) as a PC volunteer will end in May 2014. She would like to add a third year, and has requested to work with AEECL-ecotourism during that year. She would then live in the guest house in Antsohihy, work from the AEECL office, and be available for trainings at the campsite, awareness raising events etc. Since she is almost fluent in Sakalava (the local language of Sahamalaza), her input will be most useful. The formal request by Dani and the AEECL Ecotourism Consultant has been submitted to the PC Coordinator in Tana in December. 23
Skippers'certificate 24