| The Mikea Forest of southwestern Madagascar had been largely ignored by researchers and conservationists until it was recently labeled an "exceptional" priority for integrated conservation and development. The conservation priority assigned to the Mikea Forest is supported by high species diversity and endemism and a range of habitats including dry forest, natural scrubland, wetlands and mangroves. Prompted by a surge in foreign demand for maize in the absence of forest policy enforcement, locals and immigrants have been converting the dense, eastern edge of the forest to grassland at a rate of 36 km2 (1%) per year. The long-term success of renewed efforts to eliminate slash-and-burn maize cultivation (hatsake) will depend on local cooperation if costly enforcement is to be avoided. The Mikea Forest has a rich history as a refuge from outside oppression which itself gave rise to the Mikea people for whom the forest is named. A hatsake ban will surely be interpreted as part of that history unless it is accompanied by measures to replace the socioeconomic functions of hatsake which include minimizing agricultural risk while providing food and cash and a means to acquire highly-prized cattle while expanding grassland pastures. Other conservation issues include hunting, gathering, forest herding, wood use and accelerating demand from growing local and regional populations. Planning should also accommodate the effects of cyclones which damage forest, crops and property, interfere with market access and exacerbate public health concerns. The Mikea people will be most affected by the details of conservation policy. The implications of Mikea identity---its basis in forest knowledge and use, the myths and stigma which surround them, their ethnic overlap with Masikoro and Vezo neighbors---may best be accommodated by a community-based approach. In conclusion, common flawed assumptions which would affect project success are identified and general strategies and specific actions for reconciling conservation and development agendas are proposed. Possible actions include (1) an integrated research center, (2) possible accommodation of sustainable swidden practices, (3) documentary work to counteract misperceptions of the Mikea, (4) incorporating cattle as a conservation asset, and (5) developing local wild tubers as a food crop. |
