A major milestone in Madagascar’s conservation history was achieved on May 26, 2025, in Befandefa, at the heart of the Mikea National Park, with the official ceremony of the dry forests of Andrefana being inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
The dry forest of western Madagascar officially received the certificate of inscription as a World Heritage site from the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
At a solemn ceremony at Mikea National Park, located in the southwest of the island, in the presence of many dignitaries, Louise Haxthausen, the UNESCO Regional Director for East Africa, handed over the official recognition certificate to the national authorities.
She praised the major decision as a symbol of the international recognition of the unique character of these ecosystems.
"This day will remain etched in our memories as the day when the international community recognized the outstanding universal value of these ecosystems," she stated, adding that this area is both "a cradle of ancestral knowledge, a refuge for endemic species, and a pillar of the resilience of local communities facing environmental challenges."
According to Haxthausen, the inscription of this forest as a World Heritage site opens up prospects for sustainable development, notably through the promotion of ecotourism, the transmission of traditional knowledge, and the empowerment of local communities.
For Ony Rakotoarisoa, the General Director of Madagascar National Parks, this recognition gives international visibility to a unique area in the world.
"This is not just about animal diversity, but primarily about endemic species unique to these ecosystems," she emphasized, noting that this label will help attract foreign funding, which is essential not only for the protection of ecosystems but also for the development of local communities.
