Anja Community Reserve

	Anja Community Reserve
location	Ambalavao ; Madagascar
surface	0.3
Geographical location	21 ° 51 ' S , 46 ° 51' E Coordinates: 21 ° 51 '7 " S , 46 ° 50' 34" E
Setup date	2001
administration	Association Anja Miray

Anja Community Reserve is a protected area in Madagascar with forests and a freshwater lake at the foot of an imposing cliff. The reserve arose from a local initiative, the Anja Miray Association . The reserve's terrain is dominated by large stones and boulders from rockfalls, and there are two small caves that are used as a habitat for bats and owls.

The reserve was established in 2001 with support from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). It is designed to bring additional jobs and income to the local community.

The reserve is home to the highest population density of ring-tailed lemurs (en .: maki) in all of Madagascar. The local population, who for religious reasons do not eat lemurs, often sold them to outsiders. However, when the community found that 95% of the makis in Madagascar were already extinct, the locals began to protect the nature reserve, establishing the world's largest protected area for makis on a local community basis. Due to its high biological, cultural and landscape protection importance, it was proposed to add the protected area to the list of UNESCO World Heritage .

geography

The reserve is located between the towns of Fianarantsoa and Ihosy on National Route 7 (NR7). It is located on the eastern edge of the municipality of Anja . The landscape is characterized by the three rocky cliffs that rise between Iarintsena , Mandrarano and Manambolo from the valley floor to around 1000 m above sea level to over 1400 m . To the west of the cliff is the small lake. The area is a popular tourist destination on the way to southern Madagascar. The reserve offers many hiding places in the block fields and the associated groves.

Freetime activities

Guided tours are offered. Two hiking trails in particular have been developed and there are tours between two and six hours to the top of the cliff.

entertainment

The reserve is maintained by the Association Anja Miray . Ecotourism generates income for community projects on education and health. In addition, fish farms and tree nurseries were established. The project was supported by the development program of the United Nations, including the equator Prize awarded (2012), and by the Global Environment Facility funded (Global Environment Facility).

fauna and Flora

Around 300 ring-tailed lemurs ( Lemur catta ) and three special lizard species live in the Anja Reserve :

"Androngo" Madagascar Girdled Lizard (Madagascar Girdled Lizard, Zonosaurus madagascariensis)
"Katasataka" Barbour's day gecko (Barbour's day gecko, Phelsuma barbouri)
"Dangalia" Chalarodon (Chalarodon madagascariensis)

The ring-tailed lemurs are used to visitors and let people in within a few meters. Feeding is now banned again.

There are two particularly well-known species of pointed leaf hoppers on insects :