About the association
Ny Harena
The association was created in May 2024, with the main objective of preserving Malagasy nature. Its Malagasy name "Ny Harena" refers to everything that is considered precious, and can also evoke the idea of wealth or well-being that one seeks to preserve or pass on to future generations.
Yet known worldwide on the list of the poorest countries, Madagascar is endowed with considerable natural resources and unparalleled biodiversity, not to mention its cultural diversity. Forest ecosystems play a fundamental role in the conservation of biodiversity, as they are home to a large number of plant and animal species. In addition, forests contribute to climate regulation, soil protection and the conservation of water resources. The vision of the Ny Harena association is therefore to highlight Madagascar's natural wealth, and to act to preserve its biological resources in collaboration with local communities and in particular by involving future generations.
Our story
The genesis of Ny harena has its roots in Madagascar. All the founding members of the association have a special connection with the red island: country of birth, residence, or country of the heart. The feeling of responsibility and the deep desire for commitment was expressed to each of us, faced with the observation of deforestation. The island has lost 44% of its natural forests since the 1950s and the rate of deforestation is accelerating. The drivers of deforestation are multiple in a context of demographic growth: exploitation of plots for family farming, extraction of wood for the supply of charcoal and construction timber, forest fires... With 90% of endemic species, it is a unique biodiversity that is threatened with extinction. The challenge for the Big Island is to reconcile the preservation of its natural heritage and the fight against poverty. A major challenge that requires actions carried out on several fronts.
Ny Harena was thus created, and proposes to respond to this challenge by acting on different levels. The association focuses its work on the preservation and restoration of forest plots, but also wishes to develop environmental education projects with local schools as well as promote community forest management programs, and propose community ecotourism initiatives to generate income from forest conservation, encouraging communities to protect their environment.
