The mining sector is known to be harmful to the environment; a vast reforestation program will help combat deforestation.
To contribute to environmental protection and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, reforestation is an integral part of the activities of the Ministry of Mines and Strategic Resources, its regional and interregional directorates, and affiliated organizations each year. Furthermore, mining operators will be reminded of their commitments to reforest their mining, exploration, or other sites as compensation. Monitoring programs will be implemented for this purpose.
The State's objective during the reforestation campaign is to ensure the continuation of everyone's efforts after the completion of the 500 hectares reforested in Ankazobe Tamponketsa. Back in March 2019, President Andry Rajoelina had already announced, as part of his general policy, the reforestation of 40,000 hectares per year with a minimum of 40 million seedlings of endemic species from Madagascar.
According to the results of a mapping study, Madagascar lost 965,000 hectares of forest between 2005 and 2013, or approximately 120,000 hectares per year between 2010 and 2013. The responsibility lies not only with mining but also with livestock farming, forest fires, particularly slash-and-burn agriculture (tavy), commercial logging of precious woods, and energy production and construction. Reforestation is therefore essential.