Madagascar to use eco-tourism to keep 'Noah's Arc' tag: 07-07-2008
Madagascar is to use environmentally friendly tourism to help sustain the wildlife blend that gives it the title of the 'Noah's Arc' of the Indian Ocean.
The protected area of Ankarafantsika on the island is home to rare lemurs, birds and fish and is said to host five per cent of the world's species.
Half of the entry fee to the area goes towards local development projects while the rest goes to conservation.
Visitors come for and amazing, raw experience of the forest and it's wildlife said ANGAP's tourism chief Vanona Rafam'andriajafy.
"We don't offer all modern amenities but the foreigners who come here are not bothered by this. They like sleeping in tents and hearing the sounds of animals at night," he said.
Deforestation has been practically halted in the area over the last ten years.
In 1998, 12,000 hectares were chopped down compared to only 40 hectares in 2007.
The area is hoping to increase tourism to ensure the survival of the project.