Ecotourism in Madagascar - Responsible Tourism: Critical Issues for Conservation and Development - page 40

4 'To accelerate and better coordinate the development process and to make a

quantum leap, we have created the Madagascar Action Plan, the MAP. The MAP is a
bold, five-year plan which establishes direction and priorities for the nation from
2007 to 2012. It states the commitments, strategies and actions that will ignite rapid
growth, lead to the reduction of poverty, and ensure that the country develops in
response to the challenges of globalization and in accordance with the national vision
“Madagascar - Naturally” and the UN Millennium Development Goals' (Marc
Ravalomanana, President of the Republic of Madagascar).

5 Ecotod's ecotourism definition reads 'Un tourisme responsible et durable basé sur la

conservation du patrimoine naturel et socio-culturel de Madagascar.' [A responsible
and sustainable tourism which is based on the preservation of the natural and socio-
cultural heritage of Madagascar].

6 'An ecolodge is a 5-75 room low-impact, nature-based, financially sustainable

accommodation facility that helps protect sensitive neighbouring areas; involves and
benefits local communities; offers tourists an interpretative and interactive participa-
tory experience; provides a spiritual communion with nature and culture and is
planned, designed, constructed and operated in an environmentally and socially
sensitive manner' (Mehta, 2007).

7 With the average rate of clearance of 111,000ha of forest (1.5 per cent) per year

between 1950 and 1985, in this time one half of Madagascar's forests disappeared
(Green and Sussman, 1990).

8 Tavy culture is the practice of burning down tropical forest for rice planting and

other agricultural purposes.

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