The Bezà Mahafaly Site

Beza Mahafaly Special Reserve is located at 35 km northeast of Betioky Sud in the Southwest of Madagascar. It is the first protected area run and managed by ESSA-Forêts in Madagascar. It is at the same time a researche and a trainig center. The Forestry Department (ESSA) holds there an annual field school for fifth year students. The training includes components on the sustainable management of natural resources. Beza project is currently supported by Tany Meva Foundation in collaboration with ANGAP. The Liz Claiborne and Art Ortenberg Foundation provided a financial support in the filed of research and the management of natural resources of the Reserves and its peripheral areas for more ten five years now.

Peripheral comunuties mainly belong to the Mahafaly ethnic group, and a few proportion to Antandroy and Tanalana ones. They earn their living from extensive livestock rearing (cows, goats) and agriculture. The population is very young because it is composed by more than 50% of 15 to 30 years old. Illiteracy rate is quite high (76%). Forests provide to villagers many products such as food, timber, medicines, etc. Fire is the main threat to forest conservation.

The Reserve is divided into two non-contiguous parcels, 8 km apart. The first parcel, about 100 ha in size, is a fenced gallery forest, just west of the Sakamena river. During the dry season, the riverbed is completely dry. With heavy rains (commonly between January and March) the river can flood inundating the surrounding flood plain. Large tamarind trees (Tamarindus indica) and other endemic legume trees (e.g. Albizzia polyphylla, Acacia rovumae), dominate the gallery forest. The second parcel is about 520 ha in size. It is dominated by many endemic species characteristic of the arid spiny forest community, which are well adapted to the long dry season. These include Alluaudia procera (Didieraceae), Commiphora spp. (Burseraceae), Dolichos spp. (Papilionaceae), etc.

Beza Mahafaly also has important tourism potentials. It is not only because of the rich fauna and flora, but also the unique local culture of the Mahafaly people, the handicrafts in the region, and the proximity of Beza to the southern tourist circuit (between Toliary [Tulear] and Tolagnaro [Fort-Dauphin]). An important set of infrastructures is ready to receive visitors in Bezà Mahafaly, namely the lodge of ESSA-Forêts, rooms, toilets and shower included. A library is open to the public. Do not miss to visit the Museum where you can learn more about the rich Mahafaly culture.

The Reserve contains 5 resident species of lemurs, two diurnal ( Propithecus verreauxii and Lemur catta), and three nocturnal ( Lepilemur leucopus, Microcebus murinus and M. griseorufus). Long term research projects to understand the dynamics of the two diurnal lemur species have been undertaken at Beza since 1980. In addition, the forest shelters 4 species of tenrecs including the rare, large eared Echinops telfairi; 3 species of carnivores; 17 species of saurians (geckonids, iguanids, gerrausaurids and chameleons); 12 species of snakes; 2 species of tortoises including the radiated tortoise (Geochelone radiata); and, seasonally, the crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus). More than hundred species of birds, including several species belonging to the endemic family of Vangidae, are present at Beza.

The Reserve is not only a center for research and training but also comprises part of an integrated conservation and development project, involving the participation of local communities surrounding the Reserve. A number of specific projects have been accomplished in the villages surrounding the Reserve. These include the construction and rehabilitation of schools, the construction of wells, as wel as technical and financial supports of local community associations.