ANGAP—The National Association for the Management of Protected Areas in Madagascar.



2006 UPDATE: In January 2006, Madagascar introduced a new park-management system, the System of Protected Areas of Madagascar (SAPM). SAPM simplifies the legal process used to create a protected area and permits varying degrees of sustainable resource use to contribute to poverty reduction and sustainable development. SAPM replaces ANGAP.

ANGAP (the National Association for the Management of Protected Areas—Association Nationale pour la Gestion des Aires Protegees)—is the organization that manages Madagascar's protected areas system. Founded in 1990, SAPM's mission is five-fold:

  1. Safeguarding Madagascar's ecosystems.
  2. Researching the potential of Madagascar's biodiversity.
  3. Developing environmental education programs for local people.
  4. Promoting potential commercial applications of Madagascar's biodiversity (ecotourism, for example).
  5. Supporting sustainable development activities in areas surrounding protected zones.

One of SAPM (ANGAP)'s principal goals is to enable local communities to benefit directly from conservation. Fifty percent of park entrance fees collected by SAPM (ANGAP) go to local communities, and visitors cannot enter a park without hiring a local guide. SAPM (ANGAP) has extensive training programs to ensure local guides are knowledgable about the flora, fauna, and other details of the protected area. SAPM (ANGAP) also works closely with domestic and foreign scientisits to study biodiversity and the impact of visitors on parks and reserves.

2020 update: Madagascar National Parks: Guardians of Unique Biodiversity

Madagascar National Parks (MNP) is a cornerstone of conservation in Madagascar, overseeing 46 protected areas, including National Parks, Special Reserves, and Integral Nature Reserves. Formerly known as the Association Nationale pour la Gestion des Aires Protégées (ANGAP), it was founded in 1990 to safeguard the island’s unparalleled biodiversity. Officially recognized with a public function in 1991, MNP operates under the supervision of the Ministry of the Environment and Forests.

Madagascar is renowned for its extraordinary endemic wildlife, with over 90% of its plant and animal species found nowhere else. MNP's protected areas serve as critical refuges for lemurs, chameleons, and baobabs, while also supporting local communities through ecotourism and sustainable resource management. Parks such as Andasibe-Mantadia, home to the iconic indri lemur, and Tsingy de Bemaraha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its dramatic limestone formations, attract nature lovers worldwide.

Despite its efforts, MNP faces challenges including deforestation, climate change, and illegal wildlife trade. Through conservation initiatives, scientific research, and community engagement, it continues to balance environmental protection with sustainable development, ensuring that Madagascar’s unique ecosystems remain a global treasure for generations to come.