The Makay Massif, new protected area in Madagascar

The Makay Massif is a sanctuary for biodiversity, a marginal and confidential destination

The Makay is a sedimentary mountain range located in the southwest of Madagascar. The plateaus extend for nearly 175 km in length, between the Tsiribihina River to the north and the Mangoky River to the south, north of the Isalo sandstone massif. Its unique geography consists of eroded sandstone plateaus crossed by deep canyons, making it difficult to access. Formed like a natural fortress, the Makay preserves a singular biotope, and its flora and fauna are exceptionally rich.

Visiting the Makay is an achievement. Tourism development in this massif remains confidential. Certainly, the appeal of this biodiversity treasure with spectacular landscapes draws significant interest from travelers, nature defenders, the media, as well as opportunists. The reality of the numbers is as follows: In 2016, fewer than 1,000 people visited the massif, with an average stay of 3 days. The difficulty of access, the lack of accommodation infrastructure, and the necessity to walk to reach key sites mean that the Makay is protected by its isolation and relative physical difficulty.

Naturevolution Madagascar, Official Manager

The Makay Massif was classified as a New Protected Area in 2015 by interministerial decree, and the association Naturevolution Madagascar was entrusted by the Malagasy government to manage and conserve it according to a specific mandate. The New Protected Area of the Makay is managed with a perspective of valorization, particularly through:

• The development of economic activities compatible with conservation objectives, with a participatory approach involving local populations and communities;
• The development of sustainable and enduring tourism that respects natural and cultural resources.

This specific tourism approach aims to generate local economic benefits. Aware of the environmental, tourism, and economic advantages for the region, Naturevolution and its partners are working together to support ecotourism development projects and continue implementing this form of responsible tourism.

Code of Conduct

On June 23, 2017, Détours Madagascar and all stakeholders involved in the protection of the Makay Massif gathered around Naturevolution Madagascar to review the major guiding principles defining an inclusive approach to the protection and management of this biodiversity reservoir. From these meetings, we together developed, under the impetus of Naturevolution, a code of conduct for all stakeholders, travelers, and tourism professionals. All experiences, recommendations, and past mistakes should allow us to establish effective, sustainable, and balanced collaboration. All involved parties must feel included and considered in this integrated and participatory management process.  

The key interests of conservation actors, tourism, and local populations and communities must, from today and in the long term, align their efforts to design a model for the sustainable valorization of the Makay Massif. The fundamental objectives of the Charter are to increase interest and a sense of responsibility, as well as to improve the development and management of sustainable tourism.  

For all these reasons, due to our interest in these unique places, the Détours Madagascar team is strongly committed to this type of intelligent and responsible development and supports the creation of the New Protected Area of the Makay and its implementation. During this meeting, the objective was to responsibly discuss the draft charter presented by Naturevolution. This has sparked many constructive debates. Crucial points include human resources (guides, porters, controllers), entrance fees, sensitive sites, and acceptable load parameters that do not harm the ecological balance. We also addressed issues related to unlicensed guides, agencies, and car rentals that are completely outside the established framework. Following extensive discussions on the texts, it was agreed that this draft charter will, of course, evolve based on field realities and experiences. Tour operators will contribute additional elements to this reflection to find a satisfactory operation for all stakeholders.

Learn more: Naturevolution : https://www.naturevolution.org Makay : http://www.makay.org