Madagascar: Tax exemption for importing “attraction” animals sparks controversy
A Diademed Sifaka in Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, eastern Madagascar.
© Laetitia Bezain/RFI
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
In Madagascar, a statement by the President of the Republic provoked many reactions.
During the forum of investors for the emergence of Madagascar, this weekend, Andry Rajoelina announced the tax exemption for investors who would like, in particular, to import animals such as giraffes, zebras or elephants, for develop safari tourism.
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With our correspondent in Antananarivo
,
Laetitia Bezain
While the Big Island has 80% endemic flora and fauna that it struggles to protect, this incentive to attract investors is not unanimous.
"
When you watch the cartoon 'Madagascar' which promoted Madagascar, you find giraffes, zebras, but unfortunately there are no giraffes, there are no zebras, there are no there are no elephants here in Madagascar.
It is for this reason that we said to ourselves that, in the sites and protected areas, we are going to erect and appeal to investors to build 5-star ecolodge hotels and that we want to see giraffes, zebras, elephants and many other animals
,”
said Andry Rajoelina.
Known for its hundred species of lemurs, the majority of which are in danger of extinction, its fossas, its starry tortoises or the passage of humpback whales and whale sharks in its waters,
the challenge of the Big Island
"
is not to import exotic animals that could attract tourists, but precisely to bet on its unique biodiversity and to enhance it
",
explains Ndranto Razakamanarina, president of the Voahary Gasy Alliance,
Joined by RFI, the president of this platform - which brings together environmental protection organizations - believes that
“
it would be a false solution to import animals from outside that do not represent Madagascar.
Investors will not come with the current image of environmental governance and weak environmental justice
”
.
Clearing, illegal logging and fires in the forests, trafficking in species and protected animals, the priority of the State should be to
"
preserve what we have
"
, considers, for his part, Manitra Randriambololona, President of the National Guides Federation.
"
The introduction of imported animals into protected areas is not good at all for the Malagasy ecosystem and the native animals
",
he points out before adding that this introduction of large animals could be
"
beneficial for tourism, but outside protected areas, in dedicated spaces.
We have a lot of uninhabited spaces outside the protected areas and, there, we could create a fenced site for example.
The investor must also see how to properly manage this site, the food for the animals, etc…
”
Animals that must be admired
"
in their country and in their natural habitat
",
reacted on his Facebook page the Malagasy primatologist, Jonah Ratsimbazafy.
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