| Registration Classification | Natural Heritage Crisis Heritage 2010~. |
| Registration Criteria | (9), (10) |
| Year of registration | 2007 |
Six national parks in the eastern part of Madagascar are listed on the World Heritage List as the Atsinanana Rainforest. 60 million years ago, the island separated from the continent and its flora and fauna evolved uniquely, creating a unique ecosystem. 78 species of mammals live in the forest, but there are also 72 endangered species, including lemurs. Although 78 species of mammals inhabit the forest, there are also 72 endangered species, including lemurs, which are currently on the Critically Endangered Heritage List.
Here, a World Heritage enthusiast explains why Rainforests of the Atsinanana is a World Heritage Site in an easy-to-understand manner.Read this and you will definitely learn more about Rainforests of the Atsinanana!
What is the Rainforests of the Atsinanana?
The eastern part of Madagascar, the fourth largest island in the world, is dominated by the Atsinanana rainforest.This is a vast World Heritage site that spans six national parks: Andohahela National Park, Andringitra National Park, Marojejy National Park, Masoala National Park, Ranomafana National Park, and Zahamena National Park.
It is particularly rich in endemic species and is famous for its more than 12,000 species of endemic plants. Madagascar is home to more than 120 mammal species, 78 of which live in this area. Of these, 72 endangered species also live here. Many lemurs, which live only in Madagascar and the Comoros Islands, can also be found here.
Heritage in danger
Due to poaching and illegal logging of the forest, the tropical rain in Atsinanana has been declining year by year and was placed on the Critically Endangered Heritage List in 2010.Today, only 8.5% of the original forest area in eastern Madagascar remains, and the remaining habitat needs to be protected.
For what reason is the Rainforests of the Atsinanana a World Heritage Site?
Atsinanana Rainforest was evaluated for the following
Registration Criteria (ix)
The fact that Madagascar was isolated from the continent 60-80 million years ago, resulting in the unique flora and fauna that evolved on its own.
Registration Criteria (x)
The rainforest of Atsinanana is very rich in endemic species, with 78 of the more than 120 mammal species that inhabit Madagascar, and an additional 72 endangered species.
Conclusions and Thoughts of a World Heritage Maniac
Madagascar’s separation from the continent 60-80 million years ago has allowed the island’s ecosystem to evolve on its own and endemic species to increase. Atsinanana is a precious forest with many endangered species. However, it has become a heritage site in danger due to continued deforestation and poaching.
Incidentally, it is rather well known that lemurs are rather ferocious animals despite their cute appearance. Their teeth are especially sharp and their attack power is said to be quite high, so if you find one in the forest, you might want to run away before you say, “How cute!” If you find one in the forest, you might want to run away before you say, “How cute!”
*The contents here are considerations derived from research conducted by World Heritage enthusiasts. As for the data, interpretation differs depending on the media.
