04/06/2019. It has been a good decade already since the Malagasy State placed the environment in its development strategy. The preservation of our country’s beauty as well as the stability of the human habitat have become priorities for Madagascar. But even with the technical and financial support of several environmental NGOs, such as WWF, UNDP and even the World Bank, this fight for environmental protection does not seem to be over yet. Indeed, other environmental problems in Madagascar worry not only the leaders but also the Malagasy citizens. Since some Stileex Post articles in this area have already borne fruit, it seemed appropriate to us to continue in this direction by focusing on the opinion of the citizens of Antananarivo. Let’s take a look at our poll of the day, the position of the people of Antananarivo on environmental problems in Madagascar.
Table of contents
- The situation is deteriorating
- The main environmental problems in Madagascar
- Mentality and behaviour need to be reviewed
- Tananarivians dissatisfied with environmental advocates
- Environmental problems in Madagascar : Are the people of Antananarivo ready for a change?
- In conclusion of this survey on environmental problems in Madagascar
The situation is deteriorating
The first striking finding of this survey is that the majority of Tananarivians are becoming more sensitive than before to Madagascar’s environmental problems (84%). While the remaining 15% do not see much interest in it. Second observation, 8 out of 10 people complain that our current environment is in a very bad position. On the other hand, 17% still see hope in this situation.
Like all human beings, nature (31%) is the first word that Tananarivians associate with the environment. But we must not forget that in a developing country like ours, the citizens of the City of a Thousand almost always refer to pejorative aspects. We can mention pollution (18%) or garbage and waste (18%), but on a more cheerful side, the surrounding environment (17%), the municipalities (9%) and green spaces (7%) are also attached to it.
Despite well-calculated and tailor-made environmental action plans put in place by the Malagasy authorities for the Big Island for several years, it would appear that the situation has not changed. Air pollution has been, for a few years, at the centre of major debates with the emission of CO2. Today, other environmental problems are making the tasks of the various national and international institutions even heavier. In addition to air pollution, problems with soil, water and biodiversity in Madagascar affect the population of the capital city of Madagascar.
The main environmental problems in Madagascar
For the 880 inhabitants of the capital city surveyed, almost half (45%) are concerned about the damage to the country’s biodiversity, placing it as the main environmental problem in Madagascar. According to them, deforestation (23%) and the extinction of certain animal and plant species (14%) are linked to this decadence.
Still according to the respondents, in a city as polluted as Antananarivo, the management of industrial or even household waste (20%) is extremely harmful to the health of the population. And with industrial agriculture (2%) which is developing rapidly, the worries are heavier. Climate change (10%), but also the depletion of natural resources (9%) also reinforce these complications. But for 6% of those surveyed, cleanliness and above all the behaviour of citizens play a major role.
Mentality and behaviour need to be reviewed
We are focusing primarily on elements that could be waste issues. Firstly, the mentality of Malagasy citizens and the lack of awareness are serious problems. With a 19% opinion, the behaviour of Tananarivian citizens needs to be scrutinized.
But we can add to this the fact that neither citizens nor industries nor even local authorities take into account the value of a clean and soothing environment. Indeed, some of those surveyed strongly criticised plastic materials and industrial waste (19%), or the failure of the municipality to meet its obligations (12%) at present.
Pollution of air, water, soil, etc. due to lack of recycling (11%), and lack of resources and manpower (8%) for waste in the streets and alleys (6%) are raging. Drastic measures for changing the behaviour and habits of the Tananarivians are needed to sweep these environmental problems away in Madagascar. This starts at the bottom of the ladder in the “Fokontany” through the municipality to the Presidency of the Republic.
Tananarivians dissatisfied with environmental advocates
According to our figures, it must be said that the majority of the city’s inhabitants are not at all satisfied with the actions of environmental “defenders”. The Presidency of the Republic, the government, the political parties, the town hall and especially the citizens living in Antananarivo, their actions towards these environmental problems in Madagascar do not yet seem to be sufficient. Until today, only the initiatives of civil society have been able to convince half of the population of the capital. See for yourself:
- citizens: Satisfied: 14% Dissatisfied: 85%
- government: Satisfied: 17% Dissatisfied: 80%
- political parties: Satisfied: 25% Dissatisfied: 73%
- municipality: Satisfied: 25% Dissatisfied: 73%
- Presidency of the Republic: Satisfied: 28% Dissatisfied: 70%
- civil societies: Satisfied: 51% Dissatisfied: 47%
In order to have a significant result of the population, our survey was done in the four corners of the city of Antananarivo. All socio-professional categories and genders are represented.
Environmental problems in Madagascar : Are the people of Antananarivo ready for a change?
Environmental associations and organisations are working hard side by side with state authorities to find strategies that can be applied in the Big Island. We can already advocate for a change in the behaviour of each of these actors in the fight against environmental problems in Madagascar. In any case, more than half (55%) of those surveyed are ready to stop using plastic bags by replacing them with other means. Better still, nearly 8 out of 10 people are in favour of the sanction of a fine for those who dispose of their waste in public spaces.
In any case, some people still refuse to collaborate and change their energy consumption habits for the benefit of the future generation (69%). The idea of paying more taxes for more cleanliness in their living area is also not well received by the 58% surveyed.
In conclusion of this survey on environmental problems in Madagascar
The current situation is very bad. Aside from the many and varied efforts of the various institutions, raising awareness among the people of Tananarivo could be the key. With the sensitization of the older ones, the education of the younger ones could be a long-term solution, especially for the future generation. A few simple gestures in the daily life of each citizen, such as recycling or sorting, can go a long way towards solving these evils of nature. Of course, the survey is representative, but it does not claim to be exhaustive. However, as the environmental problems in Madagascar are not yet solved, Stileex Post will continue in this direction to provide support and assistance to citizens and local authorities, with the positions and opinions of the population in its articles.
