Joining VOI Mitsinjo, a Grassroots Community

By Alain Rasolo, Safina Center Junior Fellow

About VOI Mitsinjo

Mitsinjo is a 121 member community, based in the Village of Ambatolahy. Historically the people living in the village used to live in the Ranomafana forest but after the creation of the park they had to move outside it. It took on the management of the forest bordering the national park on the 5th of June 2020 from the Malagasy government forest authorities. That forest is about 440 Hectares and is part of a World Heritage Site “Rainforests of the Atsinanana”.

Veve, Mitsinjo's president during a visit in Ambatolahidimy. ©Alain Rasolo

Mitsinjo’s forest is divided into different sections. First is the untouched core of the forest called Alandregna which is about 20% of the forest. The second and largest section is made of two zones for future tourism trails, Ambatolahidimy and Vohitran’ny Mahalaigna. Ambatolahidimy has practically all the fauna and flora that is present in the national park, while Vohitran’ny Mahalaigna has a more cultural dimension to it since it’s where the Tanala (people of the forest) kings and queens used to meet and have rituals. The third section is for the ancestral right of use (mainly wood for the construction of traditional houses and furniture). The fourth section is for reforestation, it is made of a 8 Km band of land along the national route RN25 that goes through the national Park.

Currently, the main goal of Mitsinjo is to kickstart the tourism aspect of their activities by creating the two main trails. From the entrance fees it will build water fountains in the village, classrooms, and promote the different activities of the members (embroideries, woodcarvings, traditional songs and dances) to tourists. The members also aim to develop their existing tree nurseries (the Mitsinjo president claims a potential for about 100,000 saplings per year out of the forest!).

Ambatovory rice fields. ©Alain Rasolo

Another interesting thing about Mitsinjo is the lush rice fields of Ambatovory. It is directly bordered by the VOI’s forest. That is where the forest is the most intact and where the rice grows the best, and it is thanks to the realization by the villagers that the forest protects and feeds the fields with water.

 Becoming a member

On July 13th I joined Mitsinjo. Early on, with two of the leaders, we talked about what I would be able to bring to the table, I offered my help in terms of visual materials to help promote Mitsinjo’s tourism endeavour. I made the Logo which they were happy with, especially because it includes the Asampinga (wooden shield and spear) a valuable cultural element of the Tanala. I am now working on the Pamphlets and likely the signs for the trails next. It’s exciting to think about where this will go once the tourism activities start.

Mitsinjo's new logo, designed by Alain Rasolo, with Veve, Mitsinjo's president. ©Alain Rasolo