|
Becoming
Self-Sufficient
The zoo and forestry station are administered by the Ministry
of Water and Forests (MEF). The present staff numbers 24, including
workers for both the zoo and forestry station and two supervisors.
Most of the employees were, until 1998, contract employees of
MEF. That year budget constraints lead MEF to lay off all of its
contract workers nationwide, which left PZI without a staff.
The
MFG stepped in with emergency funding which has kept the dedicated
staff employed. The staff crisis has essentially become an opportunity
for the MFG to discuss privatizing the Parc with the authorities.
In 2000, the MFG was recognized as the official operator of both
the Zoo and the entire forestry station. Andrea and Charlie and
the staff have of course stepped up efforts to improve the self-sufficiency
of the Parc, and progress is being made.
A
recent substantial contribution from the President of the Province
of Tamatave (which funded all salaries for six months) was a significant
indicator of increasing local community support for Ivoloina.
It also reflects the president's recognition and appreciation
of successful MFG efforts to develop Parc Ivoloina as a major
conservation center for the province.
|
A recently opened 1 mile trail around the lake, which includes several
bridges, has already proven popular with visitors. |
