Bushfires and Deforestation in Madagascar
Why does Madagascar burn every year?
In recent months, the Amazon has been at the center of all debates. The fires and bushfires destroying the lungs of the Earth are causing a real mobilization of the media and governments. The whole world has turned its eyes to South America. At the end of August 2019, an image from a NASA satellite was released, and it seems that Africa is also burning in a very alarming way.
And if we refer to the image taken by the satellite, 
It is clear that Madagascar seems unable to escape the fires.
But is Madagascar really burning?
Why is nobody talking about it?
In Madagascar, fires, commonly known as bushfires, are not new. They have always been used to meet the needs of the population and have become part of daily life.
Although the 
international media rarely cover the topic (Madagascar is generally not a focus of concern for Western countries), deforestation and bushfires are worrying issues in Madagascar.
NGOs and the The government is intensifying awareness and reforestation efforts in an attempt to reverse the deforestation/reforestation curve. It should be noted that Madagascar has lost 45% of its forests in just 60 years.
What are the causes of deforestation in Madagascar?
Wood is still used as energy by 90% of households through firewood and charcoal. Most households do not have the means or the opportunity to switch to electricity, gas, let alone renewable energy.
In addition to the energy demand for wood, Madagascar burns due to logging. Deforestation leads to burning. 
Deforestation is a major issue in Madagascar that needs to be addressed urgently. Burning a forest for agricultural purposes. Given the poverty, the population finds no other way than to burn a part of the forest, illegally or not, to cultivate the land afterwards.
Then, the soil becomes impoverished on the cultivated areas for several years and the harvests become poorer and poorer. Another important factor comes into play: the demographic curve is rising alarmingly.
The population is then forced to find new land, which will in turn be cleared by the burning method. This cycle of perpetual renewal of the land, combined with the increasing needs of the population, accelerates this deforestation and bushfires.
Some of these fires, poorly managed, get out of control and turn into a fire that destroys a large part of the forest.
What are the consequences of this deforestation?
The consequences for biodiversity are catastrophic. 90% of species in Madagascar are endemic. Furthermore, some species are micro-endemic, meaning they exist only in a very specific area of the country. This 
topic has already been discussed, especially with the smallest chameleon species that lives in a very limited area of the country.
Furthermore, in case of It is very difficult, if not impossible, to reforest abandoned land in Kulturland due to depleted soils. In the southwestern regions, flora regeneration is very slow because of regular drought periods.
Is Madagascar burning?
Yes, Madagascar is burning, like many African countries, mainly for agricultural or energy reasons in the bush, and the consequences are catastrophic for both the country’s biodiversity and greenhouse gas emissions.
While we cannot deny that poor governance in the country is responsible for these deforestations, banning bushfires and fires themselves is not a solution. It is important to educate the population first.
Offering an alternative solution.
Since the new government, very significant reforestation programs and concrete actions have begun. 60,000,000 trees are to be planted and reforestation has already started on huge areas.
Of course, this cannot restore the lost habitat, but it is still a very good alternative to the absolute stagnation of previous governments.
We can remember one last time that the only energy source available to a majority of the population today is charcoal and that agriculture is a main source of income through burning.
It is difficult to explain the consequences that this deforestation will have in 50 years, when the main concern of a population affected by poverty is to survive another day. Today, it seems almost impossible to stop the burning and clearing, at least until an alternative solution is found for these population groups.
