9,573
edits
Changes
no edit summary
'''The Ankarafantsika National Park is located in the Boina region in the northwest of Madagascar. To the east , the park is bounded by the Mahajamba river and to the west by the Betsiboka river. The park is located along the national road 4 ([[RN4]]), about 115 kilometres south of [[Mahajanga]] (2 hours by car) and 450 kilometres north of the capital [[Antananarivo]] (8 hours). The road is in good condition and accessible all year round. There is a daily taxi-brousse service between Antananarivo and Mahajanga. Alternatively, [[Air Madagascar]] offers regular scheduled flights. '''
{| class="imageTable"
Originally, two parks on both sides of RN4 formed the forest reserve of Ankarafantsika, before they were unified in 2002. Today, Ankarafantsika National Park covers an area of 135,000ha at an altitude of 250m. The highest peak is 350m. There are five major rivers running through the park. Several lakes, such as Tsimaloto, Ampijoroa, Antsimalo and Ankomakoma are the last refuges of native fish, aquatic birds and crocodiles. In addition, the lakes are shrines to the natives of the region. The landscape of the park is very alternating with different types of forests and savannas. A highlight of the park is the ''Lavaka of Ankarokaroka'', a lunar landscape born of massive erosion. Various endemic species live and grow in this sandy massif.
From April to November the weather is hot and dry, followed by a wet period. The average annual rainfall is 1,475mm. In general , the temperature varies between 24°C and 29°C. There are about 37,456 people (2010) living in the area, spread over 133 villages and hamlets. The inhabitants are mainly farmers. The dominant ethnic group is [[Sakalava]].
Ankarafantsika National Park is subject to strong pressures caused by charcoal production, slash and burn agriculture (''[[tavy]]''), logging, expansion of grazing, hunting and collecting forest by-products. Every dry season, the park is also exposed to severe fires caused by humans, which is destroying the habitat of a wide variety of animals. Hunting is also increasing, as the traditional ''[[fady]]'' on hunting of lemurs is generally not respected by migrants in the region.
|}
50% of the park entrance fees are donated to the local population to support the financing of micro projects. Since the launch of the Environmental Action Plan, more than 200 projects were enforced in the surrounding communities. More than 20,000 people benefited from the construction of wells, mini-dams and a school, drilling for a fire hydrant, beekeeping, reforestation, poultry farming and provision of agricultural equipment.<br><br>
== Ecosystems ==
