The Tampolo Site

Located at 10 km in the north of Fénérive-Est, and 110 km from Toamasina, the forest of Tampolo is one of the most important last remnants of the coastal forest in the eastern part of Madagascar. Its management has been assigned to the ESSA-Forêts since the agreement protocol of 1990 between the Ministry of Waters and Forests. The site is now held for research and applications on forestry and ecotourism.

The ESSA-Forêts runs and coordinates the activity in Tampolo in collaboration with the local community and various local institutions. ESSA-Forêts activities in Tampolo are financially supported by Foundations John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur (USA) and Baobab (Ostrich).

The population in the peripheral area of Tampolo is almost exclusively composed of Betsimisaraka peasants earning their livings with irrigated rice cultivation and tavy, and with cash-and-crop cultivation (coffee, clove). The forest procures them on one hand firewood, timber and medicinal plants, on the other hand non-woody products useful for building and for handicraft (palm trees). The rustic community is still attached to the cultural inheritance and still practises traditional rites.

The diversity of its fauna and flora constitutes a major ace to the forest of Tampolo. Its position on the seaside is an advantage for the site. The existence of the Tampolo lake, a thermal source and converted paths in the forest brings more attraction to the site. Thanks to the RN2 and the RN5, the forest has the advantage of particularly good access conditions. Next to the city of Fenerive exist appropriate facilities for lodging and catering, the communication (namely Internet and cell phones) reinforces these advantages.

In addition to the vegetation in the seaside dominated by Pandanus dauphiniensis and Cycas thouarsii, the forest of Tampolo is constituted with 4 kinds of forest: temporarily drenched forest, littoral forest, enriched forest and marsh forest. Tampolo is rich in valuable woods for cabinet making (Intsia bijuga) and for carpentry (Stephanostegia capuroni, Eugenia spp...). It comprises also many species of Pandanus, palm-trees and orchids of which samples are respectively set in Pandarium, Palmarium and Orchidarium parcels.

Seven species of lemurs are registered in Tampolo, namely the aye aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis). The forest also shelters a rich herpetofauna consisting of 12 species of snakes, 19 species of lizards and 16 species of frogs. Most of these species are endemic to the region. Moreover, 52 species of birds, of which many migrant species and big forest birds, as Lophotibis cristata, Coua spp., can be seen there.

The integration of the riverside communities is one of the ESSA-Forêts strategical bases for the conservation of the forest of Tampolo. The ESSA-Forêts has led many actions. It has funded the peasants' training on bee keeping, on market garden cultivation, on cash-and-crop cultivation and on poultry farming. It has also stimulated the setting of villager tree nursery. Experience exchanges have also been organized between the peasants of Tampolo and those of other regions (Mandraka,...) by the mean of study trip.

The ESSA-Forêts lodge-place can receive visitors. It is composed of a house, a common bathroom and toilets. Camping areas are provided for those who own tents. Tents are also available in the ESSA-Forêts' office (Ankatso, Antananarivo) or in the site. Chalets are also fitted out in the forest and in the seaside

In collaboration with LCF (Lemur Conservation Foundation) and MacArthur Foundation, a building for Museum and Information Center has just built and formally inaugurated recently. The formal inauguration of the center has been honored not only of the presence of the local, regional and international authorities but also by the presence of some of the LCF Trustees and Donors. This Center has been set to build the capacity of Tampolo as an Education and Research center for the region. The presence of the Center has also reinforced the alliance of Tampolo forest run by ESSA/Forêts with the Myakka City Reserve run by LCF. .

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