The diverse landscape of Madagascar, a mix of rainforest and village, showing the harmony between human life and biodiversity

Madagascar's Environmental Crossroads: Can Conservation and Livelihoods Find Harmony?

Reese Marlowe in Climate & Environment December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Uncover the intertwined history of conservation and socio-economic development in Madagascar, revealing the challenges and paths toward a sustainable future."

Madagascar, an island nation famed for its unique biodiversity, stands at a critical intersection. For decades, the global community has recognized the need to protect Madagascar's incredible flora and fauna, found nowhere else on Earth. Yet, conservation efforts often clash with the daily realities of the Malagasy people, many of whom struggle with poverty and rely directly on the island's natural resources for their survival.

Reconciling conservation and livelihoods requires a deep dive into the historical and political-economic systems that have shaped the island’s environmental policies. A strong foreign influence on conservation has formed over decades, leading to an imbalance between conservation priorities and the needs of local communities. Understanding this legacy is essential to forging a path toward effective and equitable conservation.

This article will unpack the historical processes that have influenced Madagascar's environmental landscape, from early scientific expeditions to the rise of international conservation agendas. We will examine how scientific and political forces converged to create the context for today's conservation challenges, highlighting the critical need to transform existing power dynamics to foster both environmental preservation and socio-economic advancement.

Early Roots of Conservation Politics

The diverse landscape of Madagascar, a mix of rainforest and village, showing the harmony between human life and biodiversity

The seeds of today's conservation politics in Madagascar were sown long ago. A group of scientists and policy-makers mobilized global attention to Madagascar's unique environment in the 1970s and 1980s. They saw the island's flora and fauna as treasures needing urgent protection. These efforts, however, materialized not only through political negotiations and officialdom, but also through informal collaborations across various sites.

This period marked a critical juncture, setting the stage for the transformation of a scientific campaign into a foreign aid agenda. Key events and collaborations included:

The 1970 Conference: Sparked discussions about protecting Madagascar's environment, but also raised concerns about foreign influence.
WWF Involvement: Established an office in Madagascar in 1979, initiating conservation programs and mobilizing foreign aid.
Jersey Meeting (1983): A pivotal gathering in the Channel Islands to address research permits and promote conservation. It highlighted foreign interest in Madagascar’s flora and fauna for Malagasy authorities.
IAGS Formation: The International Advisory Group of Scientists was formed to coordinate biological research, streamlining the process for foreign scientists.

The mid-1980s were a turning point, with a focus on biodiversity, sustainable development, and neoliberal policies. This prompted a power shift among public, private, and nonprofit sectors. This reconfiguration created the conditions to transform a scientific campaign into a well-funded foreign aid initiative, encapsulated in the Madagascar National Environmental Action Plan (NEAP).

A Call for Transformation

Effective and equitable conservation in Madagascar requires transforming the power relations that have created both the environmental crisis and the efforts to redress it. While numerous actors have advocated for integrated conservation and development approaches, the political, scientific, and financial strength behind the international conservation lobby has often overpowered the push for more comprehensive or integrated development approaches. Reconciling conservation with the needs and rights of local communities is vital for the island's sustainable future.

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Everything You Need To Know

What were the primary drivers behind the early conservation efforts in Madagascar during the 1970s and 1980s?

The early conservation efforts in Madagascar were primarily driven by scientists and policymakers who recognized the unique biodiversity of the island. They saw the need to protect the flora and fauna, which were found nowhere else on Earth. Events such as the 1970 Conference, the establishment of a WWF office in 1979, and the Jersey Meeting in 1983 were pivotal in mobilizing global attention and resources towards conservation. These actions set the stage for transforming a scientific campaign into a foreign aid agenda.

How did the involvement of organizations like WWF impact conservation initiatives in Madagascar?

The involvement of WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) in Madagascar significantly shaped the conservation landscape. WWF established an office in 1979, which initiated conservation programs and played a major role in mobilizing foreign aid. This involvement was a critical element in transitioning the scientific campaign into a foreign aid initiative and influenced the direction of conservation efforts by providing financial and organizational support.

What role did the International Advisory Group of Scientists (IAGS) play in the early conservation efforts?

The International Advisory Group of Scientists (IAGS) was formed to coordinate biological research in Madagascar, streamlining the process for foreign scientists. This coordination was important because it facilitated and regulated the work of international researchers, allowing for a more structured and organized approach to the study of Madagascar's unique environment. By streamlining the research process, the IAGS helped advance the understanding of the island's biodiversity, which supported conservation efforts.

Why is it essential to reconcile conservation efforts with the livelihoods of local communities in Madagascar?

Reconciling conservation with the livelihoods of local communities is vital for Madagascar's sustainable future because it addresses the core challenge of poverty and dependence on natural resources. The Malagasy people often rely directly on the island's natural resources for their survival. Historically, foreign influence has often prioritized conservation without fully considering local needs. By integrating conservation with local livelihoods, we can foster a balanced approach that protects the environment while supporting socio-economic advancement. This requires transforming the power relations that have shaped environmental policies and ensuring that the needs and rights of local communities are addressed.

How did the shift towards neoliberal policies in the mid-1980s influence conservation in Madagascar, and what were the implications?

The shift towards neoliberal policies in the mid-1980s significantly influenced conservation efforts by prompting a power shift among public, private, and nonprofit sectors. This reconfiguration created the conditions for transforming the scientific campaign into a well-funded foreign aid initiative, exemplified by the Madagascar National Environmental Action Plan (NEAP). The implications included a greater emphasis on biodiversity and sustainable development. However, these shifts often prioritized the international conservation lobby, sometimes overpowering the push for integrated development approaches. This highlighted the ongoing struggle to balance environmental preservation with the socio-economic needs of local communities, leading to ongoing challenges in ensuring equitable and effective conservation outcomes.