Posted on August, 25 2017

Edmond Ramadany is the president of a community organization that manages marine areas around his village Antenina in Ambaro Bay, 35 kilometers from Ambilobe. This village lies in the northern part of the Mozambique Channel, one of WWF’s four priority landscapes in Madagascar and the Western Indian Ocean. According to him, "Applying the “dina” is very important. Once the “dina” has been recognized by the courts it is like a law. The dina strengthens the protection and conservation of natural resources. "
 
We should remember that the “dina” is a traditional community regulation to manage natural resources in an efficient way. And Edmond Ramadany is well aware of this: "The dina is applied equally to everyone, and this increases the people’s confidence in our management committee. In everyday life, the “dina” reinforces cohesion because good regulation eliminates social conflicts at the level of our community. "
 
But more than just community work, Edmond's management of Antenina's mangroves is a lifelong commitment. "Being a president is a very difficult task, it is a commitment with nature. But if you intervene with love for nature and with rigor it looks easier. At present, our structure is respected by the villagers. There is no more destructive charcoal made from mangroves in Antenina. It is our greatest pride. "
 
At the MIHARI National Forum of Locally Managed Marine Areas of Madagascar, held in August 2017, three major resolutions were adopted by the 150 community organizations represented, with the 20 NGOs that support them, including WWF. These resolutions are about the formalization and implementation of the dina in the management of natural resources, the regulation of fishing gear and the creation of an exclusive Community fishing right on the coastal strip.
 
The resolutions taken at the national forum were presented to the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources on August 14, 2017. Edmond and his community await that all the “dina” in the littoral communities of Madagascar can also receive recognition from the government for more effective and a strengthened governance. For good management of all our marine areas!