Dr Jean Louis Robinson: Environmental Degradation Is Holding Back Economic Development

Antananarivo 4th December 2013: On Wildlife Conservation Day, presidential candidate for Madagascar, Dr Jean-Louis Robinson has highlighted the extent of environmental degradation caused by political instability and corruption since 2009. In Antananarivo today Dr Robinson spoke out about the widespread and illegal deforestation that has taken place in Madagascar in recent years.

Dr Robinson said: “Madagascar has an unrivalled biodiversity and some of the greatest natural resources in the world which we should be proud of. Sadly the current government has failed to uphold its commitments to protecting the country's natural environment. The total disregard to the illegal logging of rosewood must stop; unscrupulous individuals are making millions of Dollars while the Government turns a blind eye. I promise those individuals will be caught and will be made to pay for their selfish greed.'

Dr Robinson continued: “Government has a responsibility to protect our environment. As well as providing a home for Madagascar's rich and wonderful wildlife, our country's natural resources have the potential to generate much needed economic development – like tourism, medicine and boosting other sectors such as manufacturing that rely on our natural resources.

Four years of destroying our natural habitat must come to an end, and it will on 20th December. As candidate for the AVANA party, I pledge that a government headed by me will make the environment a key priority. We will do everything we can to repair the damage that has been done to our country in the last four years.”

1. In a report published in June this year, The World Bank criticised the prolonged political crisis caused by the military coup in 2009 for causing the near-total collapse of environmental governance in Madagascar. This has led to widespread exploitation of natural resources and a dramatic reduction in revenues from tourism and other sectors that rely on the country's key natural assets. For the full report click here

2. The AVANA party has been created with the purpose to initiate change in Madagascar by returning it to its former glory and sovereignty. The party's manifesto heavily prioritises a social “action plan” to help rebuild Madagascar's society.

3. The Mouvance, along with former presidential couple Lalao and Marc Ravalomanana have pledged their full support of their party to Dr Robinson's candidature.
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