Mandrozo Wetland

Work Areas

Main CEPA work area

The Mandrozo Wetland Centre places strong emphasis on communication, ensuring that scientific findings, conservation priorities, and cultural values are shared with both local communities and national stakeholders. Information is disseminated through reports, awareness campaigns, signage, and exhibits that highlight the ecological and cultural importance of the site.
In terms of education, the centre runs school environmental clubs and uses innovative tools such as the Mandrozo game to engage young people in learning about biodiversity and sustainable resource management. Training sessions, workshops, and field visits are organized for students, teachers, and community members, fostering environmental literacy and stewardship.
Participation is at the heart of the centre’s approach. Local communities are actively involved in conservation planning, ecological monitoring, and sustainable livelihood initiatives such as agroforestry and fisheries management. Community‑based conservation committees provide a platform for dialogue, decision‑making, and shared responsibility in managing the protected area.
For awareness‑raising, the centre organizes annual celebrations of World Wetlands Day (February 2) and World Environment Day (June 5) at the local level. These events bring together villagers, VOI members, youth, and local authorities, creating opportunities for public engagement, cultural performances, and environmental education activities. They serve as powerful tools to mobilize communities, reinforce conservation messages, and highlight the link between biodiversity protection and human well‑being. In addition, scientific research findings are translated into accessible formats and shared during these events, ensuring that knowledge informs both policy and community action.
Finally, habitat restoration is integrated into both participation and awareness programs. Restoration activities not only rehabilitate degraded ecosystems but also serve as practical demonstrations during community events and educational programs. By involving local people in reforestation, wetland rehabilitation, and monitoring, the centre ensures that conservation is both a scientific and a community‑driven process.

Top three successes

One of the centre’s greatest successes has been the implementation of community‑based conservation. Local people have shown strong commitment, with most already enthusiastic and aware of the importance of protecting their traditional culture and natural resources. Their active participation has ensured that conservation measures are culturally legitimate and sustainable, while also fostering a sense of ownership for future generations.

Another major achievement is the progress made in habitat restoration. Degraded wetlands and forest areas have been rehabilitated through reforestation, wetland management, and patrol reinforcement. These efforts not only restore ecological integrity but also provide tangible benefits to local communities, such as improved fisheries, water availability, and resilience against environmental change.

Finally, the centre has advanced scientific research as a cornerstone of its work. Ecological monitoring, species studies, and cultural research have generated valuable data that inform management strategies and conservation policies. Research findings are shared with stakeholders and communities, ensuring that decisions are evidence‑based and that conservation outcomes are measurable and credible.

Top three challenges

1. Anthropogenic pressure (wildfires)
   - Challenge: Recurrent fires damage habitats and biodiversity.
   - Lesson: Community awareness alone is not enough; effective fire management requires technical support, early warning systems, and coordinated response capacity.
2. Politicians’ and authorities’ interference in management
   - Challenge: External interference disrupts conservation planning and weakens community‑based governance.
   - Lesson: Build resilience by strengthening local ownership, ensuring transparent decision‑making, and fostering dialogue to balance political influence with conservation priorities.
3. Sustainable financing
   - Challenge: Limited and unstable funding undermines long‑term conservation and community programs.
   - Lesson: To strengthen sustainable financing, the centre should diversify funding sources by combining international donors, national programs, private sector partnerships, and community‑based enterprises. Identifying potential funders aligned with wetlands and biodiversity, and proactively submitting well‑structured project proposals, will increase opportunities. At the same time, developing local revenue streams such as eco‑tourism and sustainable fisheries, alongside financial mechanisms like trust funds or revolving funds, can secure long‑term stability. Building strong partnerships with universities, NGOs, and research centres, while training local staff in fundraising and financial management, will further reduce dependence on external support and ensure continuity of conservation efforts.