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Madagascar Houseplants

Endemic littoral forest plants growing in the QMM nursery. Photo: S.Cable

The Rio Tinto mining subsidiary, QIT Madagascar Minerals (QMM) has recently been granted the licence to mine economically viable deposits of titanium dioxide in coastal South Eastern Madagascar. The mining operation will require removal of some areas of remaining littoral forest, an ecosystem recognised as both biologically unique and extremely limited in extent. Independent studies have demonstrated that these forests are rapidly deteriorating due to pressure from the local people who use the wood for fuel and building materials and who clear parts of the forest for agriculture. It is generally accepted that the remaining littoral forest fragments will be essentially destroyed within the next two or three decades unless an effective protection strategy is defined and the resources of the mining company are properly harnessed to promote biodiversity conservation. The company is actively managing designated conservation zones in collaboration with local communities and is seeking to develop alternative livelihood projects which will reduce the pressure from local communities on the forest.

One potential area for development is a community project based around the production of horticultural products. This project, in its initial two year phase, is examining the feasibility of such an initiative. Options being explored include developing a community based landscaping business serving commune or town planting, private retail sales and supplying QMM with plants for both landscaping and forestry plantations. In the long term it is hoped the project will develop to produce native species for export.

Kew has made some initial recommendations on plants with potential for the horticultural industry and QMM are currently examining the potential of developing a small plant cultivation project with local communities to be based on income generation and/or biodiversity support. In the long term this could then be developed into a community based landscaping business. Technical support would be provided by QMM and professional advice on the production of plants adapted to appropriate markets will be provided by horticulturalists. Opportunities to develop a partnership with a European company, better placed to advise on international markets, may be sought in the future. Issues around the export of native species from Madagascar need to be reviewed and the Conventions and Policy section at Kew will advise on this process.

In the long term, the project aims to provide communities with an opportunity to generate income from the sustainable use of forest products. In this way it is hoped the community will see the value of conserving the forest for long term future use as opposed to the current trend of rapid destruction for the short term benefits of charcoal, fuel wood and agriculture.

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