Island Green: Madagascar Environment Blog

There was a time when Madagascar was known as the "Green Island." Vast forests covered the hills, rivers flowed through dense vegetation, and wildlife thrived in ecosystems found nowhere else on Earth. Today, however, another nickname has become more common: the "Red Island." The reason is visible from the sky. Large areas of bare red soil dominate the landscape, the result of decades of deforestation, erosion, and unsustainable land use. Madagascar has lost a significant portion of its natural forests over the last century, leaving the land vulnerable to heavy rains that wash fertile soil into rivers and the sea. How Did We Get Here? The transformation did not happen overnight. For generations, forests have been cleared to create agricultural land , produce charcoal, and meet the needs of a growing population. Poverty, limited economic opportunities, and dependence on natural resources have intensified the pressure on the environment. As trees disappear, the soil...

The future of Madagascar's famous "dancing lemurs" depends on urgent action to protect forests and support local communities. In the forests of Madagascar, a white-furred primate launches itself through the canopy, soaring from tree to tree with astonishing agility. On the ground, it moves in a way unlike any other animal on Earth, hopping sideways with its arms raised as if dancing. This is the sifaka, one of Madagascar's most iconic lemurs. Photo taken by the author  But behind this remarkable spectacle lies a troubling reality. Across the island, sifaka populations are declining as forests disappear, habitats become fragmented, and environmental pressures intensify. Conservationists warn that without stronger protection measures, some sifaka species could face an increasingly uncertain future. Madagascar is home to all of the world's lemurs, and sifakas are among the most distinctive. Found nowhere else on Earth, these primates play an important role in maintai...

Welcome to Island Green Madagascar. This blog was founded in 2022 as an independent platform dedicated to the unique environment of the Great Red Island. Madagascar is home to biodiversity found nowhere else on Earth, but it also faces some of the most urgent ecological challenges of our time. My mission is to document the beauty of our ecosystems, share stories of rural sustainability, and discuss the importance of protecting our natural heritage. From the rainforests to the coastal plains,  Island Green Madagascar  explores how we can live in harmony with nature while building a sustainable future for the next generation. Thank you for joining me on this journey to keep our island green.  Raveloaritiana Mamisoa (mammysou)