The Sahamaza National Park

                    My name is VELONJARA Desire Houssen; I am student t the department of Anglo-American. I will talk about Sahamalaza National Park, which is located in the Sofia Region. As I am from in this region, I have chosen Sahamalaza National Park because I think that the existence of this protected area may develop people living in this region, economically, financially and culturally. My work is divided in three parts: First, I will describe the general information and geographical setting. Then I will explain the major tourist attractions for this National Park. Finally, I will talk about my objectives in this Park. The first among these points is where exactly this park located and why it is attracting more visitors.

              There are many reasons for choosing this protected area. One that is most important of my objectives, to show to Malagasy people that, this Park has certain values, which are different from the other National Parks. As we know, a National Park is an area used exclusively for the development, protection and conservation of vegetation, wild animals and population. Sahamalaza National Park was inaugurated in July 2007. It is one of Madagascar better-known park due to the discovery of the blue-eyed black lemur. It has also a big touristic potential since it is inaugurated. The best time of the year to visit Sahamalaza is probably September to November after the cold, dry winter but before the hot rainy season. Because the cyclone season is often start on February to March, when the climate is at its rainiest. At that time, many animals are least active during the coldest months like June to August.

           Most tourists will come to Madagascar are attracted by seeing different lemur species. The reason why the majority of tourists travelling to Madagascar are attracted by what is most advertised and by places where comfortable facilities are easy to find. Therefore, the local populations should give enough information about the consequences of the deforestation. Much of the tourism in Sahamalaza has developed around its different kinds of lemurs and these are continuing to be the biggest attraction for tourists.

            There are many benefits, which have resulted in Sofia Region during the existence of this National Park. As far as the rice is concerned, it is the main thing, which is cultivated. In cultivating rice, the agriculture practice is too cute and burn forested areas. As a result, there are many bad effects for our environment because it may end of uncontrolled fire. As I am from in this region, I have many objectives to promote this National Park. The priority is to encourage the local population to stop deforestation and especially the practice of “slash and burn” agriculture. In addition, the village chiefs and teachers were motivated to encourage a change of attitude, focusing on diminishing lemur hunting.

                    In conclusion, as the main objective of my works is to promotes Sahamalaza-îles Radama national park as tourists’ attraction. This protected area is very rich in biodiversity of fauna, flora, and a kind of lemurs which is cannot find somewhere else. However, it is also a marine park with more than 150 species of fish and others marine species (that is the reason to make local people depend on natural resources). Finally, we would like to suggest few proposals suggestion at strengthening the assets of the area in order to promote the Sahamalaza as tourists’ attraction. How the situation can be improved, what new tourist attraction could be created?