Bemanevika Wetland
Region
Africa
Country
Madagascar
Flyway
East Africa – Central Asia flyway
Initiative
WLI Africa
About
Name of organisation
The Peregrine Fund Madagascar Program
Funding support
The Peregrine Fund, FAPBM, LCAOF, IREMA, SOS Lemurs
Number of staff
24
Number of visitors per year
33 tourists in 2025
Overall aims of the centre
The Bemanevika Wetland Complex is dedicated to the conservation of biodiversity and traditional culture, alongside habitat restoration and the capacity building of national researchers through scientific research and ecological monitoring. It also promotes environmental education, public awareness, and livelihood diversification, ensuring that conservation outcomes are closely linked to community well‑being and sustainable resource management
Description of the centre
The Bemanevika Wetland Complex, designated as Ramsar Site (10,000 ha), is located in the northern highlands of Madagascar, within the Bealanana District of Sofia Region. Managed by The Peregrine Fund in collaboration with local community associations, the site spans altitudes from 510 to 1,750 m across the rural communes of Beandrarezona and Antananivo‑Haut.
Its habitats form a mosaic of mountain humid forest, grassland savannas, marshes, swamps, lakes, and rivers, providing critical refuge and breeding grounds for diverse species. The volcanic lake complex (Matsaborimena, Matsaborimaitso, Andriakanala, and Maramaratsarengy) is of particular ecological importance.
Bemanevika is globally recognized as the last refuge of the Madagascar Pochard (Aythya innotata, CR), alongside at least six other threatened waterbirds, including Anas melleri (EN), Sarothrura watersi (EN) and Ardea humbloti (EN). The site also shelters rare forest birds such as Eutriorchis astur (EN) and Tyto soumagnei, (VU). Other threatened fauna include Daubentonia madagascariensis (EN), chameleons (Calumma hafahafa, CR; C. peyrierasi, VU), and small mammals like Microgale jobihely (EN).
Flora is equally remarkable, with critically endangered species such as Astrotrichilia elegans and Melicope fatraina. Overall, Bemanevika functions as a living bank of threatened species, safeguarding both fauna and flora of global conservation importance.
Beyond biodiversity, the wetland provides essential ecosystem services, supporting local livelihoods through agriculture and resource use, while community‑based management ensures that conservation outcomes are closely tied to human well‑being.
The Ramsar Site is included within the Bemanevika Protected Area, which extends over 35,605 ha. Aythya innotata (Madagascar Pochard) was declared extinct in 1993 but was rediscovered there in 2006. Since then, the remaining population of this critically endangered species has increased from 9 individuals to 83 individuals in the wild today
Work Areas
Main CEPA work area
Communication: Scientific findings, conservation priorities, and cultural values are shared with communities, schools, and national stakeholders through reports, signage, exhibits, and outreach campaigns.
Education: School environmental clubs and interactive tools such as the Mandrozo game engage young people in biodiversity learning. Training sessions, workshops, and field visits build environmental literacy among students, teachers, and community members.
Participation: Local communities are actively involved in ecological monitoring, habitat restoration, and sustainable livelihood initiatives (e.g., agroforestry, fish farming). Community‑based committees provide Federations for dialogue and shared responsibility.
Awareness‑raising: Annual events such as World Wetlands Day (Feb 2) and World Environment Day (June 5) mobilize communities through cultural performances, environmental education, and dissemination of research results in accessible formats. Exhibits and campaigns highlight endangered species, ecosystem services, and traditional practices, reinforcing the link between conservation and human well‑being.
Top three successes
- Habitat Protection
Conservation efforts have successfully safeguarded critical ecosystems, reducing degradation and ensuring that wetlands, forests, and lakes continue to provide refuge and breeding grounds for diverse species. - Biodiversity Conservation
Targeted monitoring, research, and community‑based initiatives have helped protect threatened species and maintain ecological integrity, reinforcing the site’s role as a stronghold for Madagascar’s unique flora and fauna. - New Eco‑tourism Destination
The site has emerged as a destination for eco‑tourism, offering visitors opportunities to experience its rich biodiversity and cultural heritage. This not only raises awareness but also generates sustainable income for local communities, linking conservation with livelihoods.
Top three challenges
- Wildfires
- Challenge: Recurrent fires continue to damage habitats and biodiversity, undermining conservation gains.
- Lesson: Community awareness alone is insufficient; effective fire management requires technical support, early warning systems, and coordinated response capacity. - Sustainable Financing
- Challenge: Limited and unstable funding threatens the continuity of conservation and community programs.
- Lesson: Diversifying funding sources, developing local revenue streams (eco‑tourism, fish farming), and establishing financial mechanisms such as trust funds are essential for long‑term stability. - Climate Change
- Challenge: Shifts in rainfall, rising temperatures, and ecosystem stress increase vulnerability of species and habitats.
- Lesson: Adaptive management, climate‑resilient livelihood strategies, and integration of climate science into conservation planning are critical to building resilience.
Expertise
Interpretation techniques
Creating signage / site information; Using audio-visual tools;
Visitor centres
Managing / creating habitat
Participation
Engaging young people; Engaging the local community
Education and communication
Early years education; Working with primary schools; Working with secondary schools
General
Fund-raising; Project planning.
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