by Manoa Rajaonarivelo
As part of the reform of the national policy on social and environmental framework management in protected areas, the MiRARI project has provided technical support to the establishment of the community management agreement – a co-management tool required by the protected areas law – aimed at real inclusion and participation of local communities in PA management.
About the film
An eight minute film was produced by the MiRARI project to promote the Convention de Gestion Communautaire (CGC, or “Community Management Agreement” ). The CGC is required by the protected areas code to ensure that the rights of local communities are respected, and that both protected area managers and local communities both fulfil their responsibilities for the sustainable co-management of protected areas.
The CGC is an agreement established between the manager of the PA and the neighboring local communities. It recognizes the local communities’ economic, cultural and spiritual activities, the modalities of their intervention in the management of the Protected Area, and their rights and responsibilities. It also details the corresponding rights and responsibilities of the PA managers. This will alleviate the problems linked with the creation and management of the PA, which often result from the various restrictions imposed on local people’s livelihoods, and the lack of inclusion and participation of local communities in PA management.
Beyond a simple explanation of the CGC, the film also serves as a tool to inform, raise awareness and, above all, share the experiences of managers and local communities; who have already begun the process of implementing the CGC within their PAs; of the importance of such a tool, as well as its potential benefits. It also presents the views of the different actors on the need to implement the CGC, the need for consideration of the whole local community in the process, and the respect of free prior and informed consent.
The film was shown for the first time during the national sharing workshop on “Managing our protected areas equitably”, carried out by the MiRARI project in collaboration with multiple partners on April 12th, 2024 at the Ecole Superieure des Sciences Agronomiques . The film received positive feedback from the workshop participants, with one of them stating, “Even though it’s short, the film is very instructive and clear in specifying what is expected of CGC”. The film has received the full support of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, and is used during the various consultations they have with PA managers and donors.
“The community management agreement: the key to sustainable and equitable management of Protected Areas”
Edited by: MiRARI, March 2024
Duration : 08mn 27
Language: Malagasy, subtitles in FRA and ENG
Producer : Lee Photography
Voice-over: Voice Antelang
Link : https://youtu.be/jcV6x-pT9Ls