Illegal mining operations are spreading rapidly through forests, with arrests multiplying inside protected areas. A section of the Ramsar site Torotorofotsy has been destroyed by illegal miners near Andasibe.
"Mining exploitation is proliferating in protected areas," warned an environment official requesting anonymity yesterday. "It's everywhere, based on discussions I've had with colleagues," the source added.
Recent arrests of suspects across multiple protected areas illustrate this proliferation. Last weekend, three people were caught red-handed at the Torotorofotsy Ramsar site during a monthly patrol conducted by law enforcement and patrollers from Mitsinjo association, which manages the site. "These operators destroyed a significant area of the site, particularly the natural habitat of frogs, searching for gold. It's as if they bulldozed the place. This location is right across from Mantadia. They already cleared forests before attacking this area," reported Christin Nasoavina, president of Mitsinjo association. Other individuals reportedly participated in the exploitation. "But they fled when they heard us arriving," Nasoavina continued.
In the Alaotra-Mangoro region, three other people charged with illegal mining were arrested in Zahamena park. "The case was referred to Ambatondrazaka, and the individuals were placed in preventive detention," a source reported. Days earlier, three others were caught red-handed in the Ankeniheny-Zahamena corridor.
Meanwhile, two Chinese nationals suspected of purchasing gemstones from the Makira protected area were arrested in early September following an operation by the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development. "This trend began accelerating early this year. We don't yet know the causes of this progression," an environment official stated.
Protected areas face severe threats from expanding mining operations inside forests. "Without strict measures to stop this scourge, eastern forests will disappear within fifty years," warned Christin Nasoavina.
On the ground, authorities say they continue fighting this phenomenon but face shortages of personnel and resources. "Comprehensive sweeps are impossible. If you organize a mission and arrest someone, you must bring them back immediately; you cannot continue operations with them," explained the source. She called for multisectoral measures to combat this scourge. "If illegal exploitation persists, it's because an entire chain of operations exists. This chain must be broken to end illegal exploitation," she recommended.