
On Monday, May 26, 2025, Madagasikara Voakajy organized a meeting of the Orientation and Monitoring Committee (COS) in Moramanga for the Mangabe-Ranomena-Sahasarotra Protected Area.
The meeting brought together 53 participants from regional public institutions (environment, mining, security, tourism, agriculture), local authorities, municipalities, law enforcement agencies, as well as representatives of local communities. The objective was to strengthen coordination among stakeholders involved in the management of the protected area.
This meeting took place in the context of the 2023 ecological crisis, during which Mangabe suffered massive deforestation caused by illegal settlements, bushfires, and unauthorized mining activities. In response, Madagasikara Voakajy mobilized local communities, reinforced patrols, supported local governance, and conducted awareness campaigns. These actions helped reduce the pressure on the forest, while highlighting the urgent need to enhance coordination and ensure law enforcement. The meeting provided an opportunity to review the activities carried out from 2022 to 2024 and to present the new action plan for 2025–2026, which was unanimously approved by the committee members.
The COS plays a central role in the governance of protected areas at the regional level. Established by Regional Decree No. 215/2015/REG/ALM/ENV, in accordance with Law No. 2015-005 on the management of protected areas (COAP), its mission is to evaluate, advise, and guide management actions. Its implementation ensures transparency, promotes the involvement of local authorities and communities, and guarantees that decisions align with both conservation goals and local realities. For the Mangabe Protected Area, the COS is a vital mechanism to stabilize governance, reinforce the legitimacy of decisions, and ensure the long-term sustainability of conservation efforts.