Human Impact

Human Impact

Logging: A marjor part of the deforestation of the Madagascar Rainforests is due to legal and illegal illegal logging in the region. In 2009, 52,000 tons of wood was cut from over 100,000 trees in the rainforests.

Tavy: "Tavy", or slash and burn agriculture, is a process in which a parks cuts down an section of forest and uses the nutient-rich region to plant and grow crops. After the crops are harvested, the farmer leaves the area for many years until the forest grows back and then returns to start the process over again. Due to increases in population density, farmers are not waiting long enough between slash and burn cycles. The soil is becoming exhausted and the forest is suffering to regrow. It is estimated that 1-2% of Madagascars rainforests are destroyed each year as a result of tavy.

Hunting of Wildlife: Many native species of animals in Madagascar are hunted by people as a source of food, to keep or sell as pets, or to trade as source of income. Although lemurs have been protected since  1964, they are continued to be hunted today and eaten or sold as pets. Fishing regulations in Madagascar are loose and animals such as sharks, lobsters, and sea cucumbers are being caught and sold at unsastainable rates.