Awareness-raising in the town of Antranokarany

In the Rural Municipality of Antranokarany, an awareness-raising campaign has been launched to inform local communities about the importance of mangroves and their crucial role in the ecosystem. This initiative, carried out in collaboration with the Ambanja Forest Cantonment, aims to increase the awareness of populations on the need to preserve these fragile ecosystems and to promote the sustainable management of natural resources.

The objective of the campaign: to raise awareness and involve the community

The main objective of this campaign was to raise awareness about the characteristics and importance of mangroves. These ecosystems are essential for the resilience of territories in the face of climate change, as they play a key role in protecting coastlines, regulating floods and maintaining biodiversity. By raising awareness among local actors, in particular schools, fokontany and Basic Village Organizations (VOI), the campaign aimed to promote a better understanding of environmental issues. The other objectives are to raise awareness about the protection of mangroves: It was crucial to make the local community aware of their vital role in the balance of the marine and coastal ecosystem; promote resilience in the face of climate change: the preservation of mangroves is an important lever for strengthening the resilience of populations in the face of natural disasters and involving all local actors: parents, teachers, young people and local authorities were invited to actively engage in the sustainable management of natural resources.

Concrete actions to reach a large audience

The awareness-raising mission was structured in several stages to reach a large audience and ensure the impact of the initiative. Approximately 108 people and 300 students actively participated in these awareness-raising sessions. Information materials such as explanatory brochures were distributed to participants to inform them in detail about the benefits of mangroves and their ecological role. In addition, to promote the initiative and reinforce the identity of the campaign, Bôndy T-shirts were given to school directors and fokontany chiefs. These actions have contributed to strengthening local commitment to environmental protection. Informative posters have also been installed in schools and fokontany, thus making it possible to widely disseminate messages on the importance of mangroves and the actions to be taken to preserve them. These materials made it possible to reach a wider audience, including those who were unable to attend the awareness-raising sessions.

In addition to the actions on the ground, a radio program was broadcast via the Mazava station in Ambanja, thus reaching an even wider audience, including people far from areas of direct awareness. This program disseminated key information on mangroves and explained the relationship between the mangrove forest and the sea, an essential link to understand their role in the regulation of marine and terrestrial ecosystems. The representative of the Ambanja Fishing District also addressed the issue of the temporary closure of fishing, stressing the importance of maintaining natural habitats to ensure the sustainability of maritime resources.

A positive impact for the preservation of mangroves

This campaign helped to initiate a positive dynamic around the preservation of mangroves in the Rural Municipality of Antranokarany. In addition to raising the awareness of more than 400 people, it has promoted collective awareness of the importance of these ecosystems for local resilience in the face of climate change. By actively involving the local community, the initiative contributed to strengthening everyone's commitment to the sustainable management of natural resources and the protection of the environment. Raising awareness about the protection of mangroves in the Rural Municipality of Antranokarany represents an important step in the preservation of these ecosystems vital for the ecological balance and the safety of local populations. Thanks to this collaborative initiative with the Ambanja Forest Cantonment, concrete actions have been put in place to involve the local community in the sustainable management of mangroves, thus promoting collective awareness and a strong commitment to environmental protection.

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