Finding harmony in shared habitats

This multi-faceted project represents a collaboration between the UK and Madagascar Durrell teams, local authorities, associations, and communities. Their overall objective: reversing environmental degradation by supporting community groups with conservation training and income-generating activities. Though difficult to summarise into one sentence, its intervention themes can be illustrated through five core pillars: Food Security, Financial Independence, Good Governance, Community Health, and Community-led Ecosystem Restoration.

This initiative builds on the first phase, ‘Enabling Change’ (supported by JOA between 2018-2023), as well as Durrell’s other long-standing commitments to Madagascar under the Darwin Initiative. Their consistent presence and establishment of a local in-country office have nurtured strong relationships of trust, improving outcomes by tailoring support to the diverse needs of each community. Being on the ground, we witnessed first-hand how impactful these close working relationships are to the project’s success.

Setting the Context: Alaotra

Understanding the pressures on the marsh requires placing them within a broader environmental and economic context. From the 360° viewpoint above Ambatofotsy, the interlinked nature of these challenges becomes clear. On the hillsides, bright orange scars mark a bare green wall which has been deforested, driven by demand for wood and agricultural land. As a result, the area has become unstable; rains during the monsoon season wash away soil, degrading the slopes and carrying sediment to the flat lowlands below being used for rice fields. This continues the chain reaction. The decline in rice productivity reduces farmers' incomes, prompting some to encroach on the marsh – clearing reeds for farmland and destroying the Bandro’s habitat, the rare Gentle Lemur now found in only one area of the lake.

The eroded hillsides seen from a Ambodivoara viewpoint. The bright orange depicts an erosion feature referred to as ‘lavaka’.

Protecting the Marsh: Good Governance and Community-led Restoration

To restore the marsh – under threat from agricultural encroachment, falling water levels, overfishing, and invasive water hyacinth – Durrell has revitalised VOIs (local, community-run environmental management groups). These groups are vital in reclaiming both the authority and the principles needed to manage local resources. They have been supported in formalising their roles and informed by scientific research to implement seasonal fishing closures, giving fish populations time to recover.

Without these interventions, the fishing industry faces an increasingly unstable future. Alongside this, Durrell has supported the formation of local patroller groups to monitor illegal activities, strengthened local laws (‘Dina’), and engaged communities in removing invasive species. Seasonal replanting of marsh habitat is also carried out by basketry groups, VOI members, and local authorities.

Visiting the marsh in the early hours of the morning to catch a chance of seeing the Bandro who live and play in the reeds.

Basketry Weaving Groups: Financial Independence

A highlight of our visit was meeting the weaving groups. Durrell has helped them refine their skills and use reeds sustainably to produce beautiful, high-quality baskets, bags and rugs. The result? Increased incomes and improved savings. One association, ‘Shimmering’, was even connected with an international buyer after attending the FIER Mada national festival, with support from Durrell.

These groups also play a conservation role. In return for support, they commit to replanting reeds and avoiding illegal marsh activities—ensuring a reciprocal relationship between their livelihoods and the health of the marsh.

Visiting our first weaving group, in Ambatofotsy, where we met the ‘Shimmering’ group. Depicts Merry talking with Durrell Project Leader, Hanitra Rakotojaona, about how the products are made.

Field Farmer Schools (FFS): Financial Independence and Food Security

Across Madagascar, environmental conditions create agricultural challenges for farmers. For some, over-reliance on artificial fertilisers and pesticides has damaged soil health and reduced productivity. In response, Durrell has set up Field Farmer Schools (FFS) to promote climate-smart agriculture. Selected farmers receive training tailored to their land; agroecological techniques that include complimentary cropping (growing more than one crop on the same land) to restore soil health.

During their first season, participants trial methods on demonstration plots before appling these techniques more broadly on their farms. Many farmers shared positive outcomes with us - one reported harvesting rice every three months instead of six, thanks to climate-smart seed varieties. In Vohitsara, a seed producer group was also supported in improving their yields, gaining official permits, and accessing better market opportunities. We also got to see the challenges and iterative process of implementing a project like this! The challenging conditions of Baly Bay, with sandy soil means the agricultural technicians and Durrell’s sustainable agriculture partner, GSDM, have to find creative solutions to support farmers. Whilst visiting the FFS demonstration plot in Antamboho we saw how the maize was not reaching expectations: the team will now trial another crop. Importantly, we were able to see how the Durrell team were efficiently problem solving, but also how they communicate, build trust and manage expectations within the group.

Visiting the FFS in Andilana Nord where coffee beans are growing alongside soya beans, using pesticide created from a nearby tree and compost fertiliser produced from the invasive water hyacinth.

Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA): Financial Independence

In rural communities, access to banking services is often limited. To bridge this gap, Durrell has supported the creation of VSLA groups – informal community groups that allow members to save, take out loans, and earn interest. In Antamboho, we heard from the members of the VLSA that some people in the community were hesitant initially, but after witnessing the groups’ success, many returned to rejoin, recognising the value of savings during financial hardship.

Fishermen’s Associations in Baly Bay: Financial Independence and Food Security

Baly Bay is famed for its seafood, and during our visit, it was shrimp season – delicious, yet a declining income source for fishermen. Overfishing has drastically reduced catches. One fisherman from Antamboho shared that he used to catch 20kg in two hours; now, after six hours on the water, he often returns empty-handed. This is an additional drive for supporting the uptake of farming within the community, as need to diversify food and income increases.

To address this, Durrell has helped local VOIs to implement fishing closed seasons, and supported patrol groups. Fishermen have also been encouraged to form cooperatives (improving their power to negotiate a better price for catch) and provided pirogue boats to access better-paying external markets like that in the coastal town of Majunga.

Mangrove Restoration: Community-led Restoration

Mangroves are vital for coastal protection – especially against hurricanes and tidal surges. However, unsustainable harvesting has thinned these forests, endangering both biodiversity and community safety. Durrell’s Madagascar team developed an innovative drone-based planting method that increases reforestation efficiency. A community nursery is also being established, enabling year-round planting. Simultaneously, training is provided to local residents on sustainable mangrove use and the ecological benefits of restoration. Talking with the team in person and visiting the site illustrated the patience and determination to overcome real world challenges necessary for project success, as access to the mangrove restoration site is determined by a small tidal window - a particular factor we came to understand!

Family Planning: Community Health

In remote areas, healthcare access is extremely limited. Recognising the role that family planning plays in improving financial stability, Durrell supported the creation of ‘health huts’ - private spaces for consultations during community health visits. These huts replace less-private settings like the Fokontany (mayoral) offices that had previously been used for health and family planning visits.

A routine visit cycle has been established with Durrel partner, Marie Stopes Madagascar (MSM), ensuring communities receive regular access to contraceptives and guidance on family planning, allowing families to make informed decisions based on their circumstances.

The VALIHA project in Madagascar is a powerful example of how community-led action, supported by long-term partnerships, can tackle complex environmental and socio-economic challenges. From restoring marshes and mangroves to supporting farmers, fishers, and weavers, the project weaves conservation into everyday life – helping communities secure their futures while protecting fragile ecosystems. Innovations like drone-assisted planting and grassroots savings groups are making sustainable change possible, even in the face of difficult conditions. What stood out most during the visit was the deep trust between Durrell and the project beneficiaries, and the real progress comes from working in close collaborative partnership. And of course, the journey wouldn’t be complete without a few unforgettable encounters with Madagascar’s extraordinary wildlife.