« Tavy » and climate change kill baobabs

Among the circumstances that threaten the species of baobabs of Madagascar are the practice of slash and burn, generally known as “Tavy” or “Hetsake” in some areas, and climate change. These threats seem very powerful and affect baobab species that have exceptional values in terms of environment and culture; values that the local population is not fully aware of. Therefore, the French Institute of Madagascar (IFM), in collaboration with CIRAD, had the idea to organize a scientific week exhibition dedicated to Malagasy baobabs from November 22 to 26.  

Baobabs are among the forest species making the country well-known worldwide and helping to promote ecotourism destinations from north to south and through the West of Madagascar. However, the majority of the population is not expected to know the scientific values of Malagasy biodiversity that baobabs are part of. Baobabs are classified as the heritage of humanity of which Madagascar is the depositary. “Tavy” and climate change have caused harmful effects on biodiversity in recent years, thus threatening the survival of some endemic species in national parks if no action is taken to recover the situation.

It was for that reason that Madagascar National Parks (MNP) had consulted scientists from CIRAD to conduct researches on species of baobab trees since 2006. As reported by the CEO of MNP, Guy Suzon Ramangason, “Twenty national parks now contain species of baobabs while there were fewer species before. Baobabs are rare species of plant, flamboyant and fascinating, and they have exceptional relationships with the people around them because of the thousands of services they provide to human beings”. Currently, there are eight species of baobab around the world as six other species are endemic to Madagascar. This year, 34 new species of baobabs were discovered on the national roads of Madagascar.