In South-West Madagascar, rapid deterioration of the forests has been observed due to uncontrolled removal of forest resources to meet wood energy needs. This resource, which is not subject to any management, covers nearly all household energy needs for cooking. Wood comes from natural forests made up of dry formations of calcareous plate and xerophytic thickets on sands of the Spiny forest eco-region, universally recognized for its exceptional biodiversity and endemism.

In view of the gravity of the situation, the WWF has undertaken to mobilize regional players for coordinated measures centred on reducing this anthropogene pressure on the forest ecosystems. Project SEESO/WWF has resulted from this, by taking into account the social and economic importance of the wood energy production chain: the fuel most accessible to most households and the most popular, the livelihood of charcoal-producing families as well as charcoal hauliers and traders. Find out more...