Anjahankely Tree Nursery
Anjahankely Tree Nursery is a forest restoration initiative set up to protect and preserve the environment and wildlife of the Andrafiamena-Andavakoera Protected Area in north Madagascar.
The tree nursery which plants approximately 30,000 trees p/year is located in the village of Anjahankely and fulfils an essential role in protecting its nearby lemur habitat.
Trees planted include the endemic Schizolaena viscosa species which with its yellow flowers between May and December provides a food source to the lemurs. Breonadia salicina and Intsia trees are also planted at river sources to protect the waterways while Albizia lebbeck is planted to improve the forage for grazing zebu livestock.
Additionally, various palms and Dracaena trees are planted for decoration purposes at and around Black Lemur Camp. The camp, which supports the tree nursery since it was established in 2007, employs staff mainly from Anjahankely and nearby villages, which in effect supports the livelihoods of the villagers and promotes a culture of preservation that profits from the forest's protection rather than its destruction.
Approximately two-thirds of the remaining Perrier's sifaka (Propithecus perrieri) live in the forests close to the tree nursery. Other endangered lemur species in the wider Andrafiamena protected area include the Ankarana sportive lemur (Lepilemur ankaranensis), Amber Mountain fork-marked lemur (Phaner electromontis), Sanford's brown lemur (Eulemur sanfordi), Crowned lemur (Eulemur coronatus) and the Aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis).
A visit to the tree nursery combined with a stay at Black Lemur Camp will indirectly help save the critically endangered Perrier's sifaka black lemur and other species.
GPS coordinates: 12°54'47.0"S 49°19'10.2"E
The tree nursery employs five full-time staff but during planting periods the whole community from surrounding villages participate in the reforestation activities. The Anjahanakely Tree Nursery project makes a perfectly good example of how conservation can best be done by actively engaging a local population.
Tree nursery team (technicians and botanist): Bruno, Alexandre, Jaomora, Nanja and Guitot.
For further information, assistance, contributions and visits, contact:
Anjahankely Tree Nursery
Anjahankely
Madagascar
Prisca Olinirina NANJARISOA
Botanist & Taxonomist
Diplome d'Etudes Approfondies en Biologie et Ecologie Végétales - Faculté des Sciences - Université d’Antananarivo
Tel: +261 (0)34 48 975 04
Email: anjahankely.pepiniere@fanamby.org.mg
View all Anjahankely Tree Nursery photos