SHARING NATIONAL-PARK ENTRANCE FEES - FORGING NEW PARTNERSHIPS IN MADAGASCAR

Ecotourism has been promoted by the Ranomafana National Park integrate d conservation and development project (ICDP) in Madagascar to raise r evenue for park management and create income-generating opportunities for local residents. In conjunction with this ICDP, the Malagasy Natio nal Association for the Management of Protected Areas (ANGAP) initiate d a policy in 1993 of sharing half of the national park entrance fees with local entities to demonstrate the benefits of conservation. A Man agement Committee comprised of local area villagers is responsible for reviewing and selecting village proposals for development microprojec ts to be funded by the park entrance fees. A General Assembly with loc ally chosen village representatives from the park's peripheral zone is responsible for formal dialogue between the resident population and t he Management Committee. By forging new management partnerships betwee n local villagers, ICDP personnel, and national authorities, ecotouris m can begin to make conservation of nature financially beneficial to l ocal people.