Introduction: Andasibe (02:07)

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Forest Guide Rasolonirina Rabarison Raymond explains how humans want to use land for agriculture, often forgetting the importance of trees. His livelihood depends on the rainforest; he aspires to practice and teach conservation.

Local Efforts (04:41)

Raymond visits an Ambavaniasy village, where people use slash and burn agriculture; he hopes to establish a park to protect habitat and create jobs. The Sahi Organization's goals are biodiversity conservation, community development, and increasing ecotourism.

Increasing Forest Concerns (02:59)

Amphibian Conservation Director Devon Edmonds explains how villager programs have expanded An estimated 90% of the original forest is gone. Local farmer's mountain rice methods are inefficient and environmentally unsound.

Resistance To Change (06:56)

Madagascar people have used natural resources and Tavy farming for generations, activities now forbidden. Elders discourage innovation for fear of upsetting ancestors. Villagers rely on the forest for income; traditional concepts make conversion problematic.

Wildlife Conservation (08:36)

Dr. Patricia Wright hopes to save lemurs from extinction by educating people about the importance of Madagascar's biodiversity. Ecotourism is growing, generating income for locals, but traditional attitudes remain difficult to change.

Global Ecosystem (07:03)

Increased carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere accelerates the Greenhouse Effect; deforestation compounds problems. Tavy farming promotes soil degradation. Systems yielding more while using less land are available, but government transitions have shut down social programs funding.

Political Will (06:41)

Mitsinjo Researcher Justin Claude educates communities, but finds locals depending on forest resources difficult students. Conservation activities, funded by tourism and international donors, slowly expands with attitudes. Government upheaval creates unstable situations.

Conservation Efforts (07:05)

Local groups monitor the forests. Invasive plants threaten 80% of protected Andasibe land; the Sahi organization replants native species. Programs include community development, supporting women's handiwork, and tourism.

Impacting Ecology (05:57)

Villagers make charcoal fuel; burning biomass dries the atmosphere, leading to drought. Locals make furniture and crafts from endangered tree species. Raymond explains how French colonization and traditional Malagasy agriculture led to mass deforestation.

Credits: Andasibe (02:09)

Credits: Andasibe