Over the last three years, SEED has been working to conserve the biodiversity of the Sainte Luce Littoral Forest (SLLF), home to endemic lemur species. The SLLF is threatened by mining, illegal logging, and high community dependence on its resources. Building on the progress of Project Ala Phase I, Phase II will continue to expand habitat corridors between forest fragments, while also addressing unsustainable resource use in the local community-protecting the littoral forest and its biodiversity
Madagascar is a leading biodiversity hotspot. Over 80% of its flora and fauna is endemic and yet is threatened by exceptional rates of habitat loss. Agriculture, unsustainable resource extraction, and mining operations contributed to the loss of 90% of littoral forests. Project Ala focuses on the Sainte Luce Littoral Forest where the habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation resulting from unsustainable land-use practices threaten its biodiversity, including populations of endangered lemurs.
Project Ala I established habitat corridors for the first time in Sainte Luce, connecting five isolated forest fragments. Phase II will increase corridors' resilience and empowering local communities with the knowledge and skills needed for effective forest management. SEED will assess local resource needs and increase local stakeholders' capacity to sustainably manage forest resources. Finally, we will complete research that promotes adaptive learning and reinforce conservation knowledge.
Project Ala II is the second phase of the long-term Ala Programme spanning 10 to 15 years. Each phase will work towards conserving the biodiversity of the SLLF and tackling deforestation in the long term while building local management structures. This will ensure the sustainable governance of protected forests and forest resources in Sainte Luce for the future, safeguarding local populations of four Endangered lemurs.
