Save the ICCA of Sakatia in Madagascar against land grabbing

The Fokonolona community of Sakatia island in Madagascar is opposing a project by GREEN MADA LAND to build a hotel complex on a 17-hectare plot of land. The community argues that the project, described as a 'presidential project', violates their human rights, threatens biodiversity—specifically turtle nesting areas—and endangers their rice fields and livelihoods. They demand the cancellation of the long-term lease, transparency from authorities, and the recognition of their land ownership and right to free prior informed consent.

• The Fokonolona community of Sakatia island opposes a project by the company GREEN MADA LAND to build a hotel complex on a 17-hectare plot of land granted by the State via a long-term lease ("bail emphytéotique").
• The proposed development threatens critical biodiversity and local food security, specifically impacting a turtle nesting area maintained by the community and rice fields essential for survival.
• The community's management of the island's resources is legally recognized through a management transfer contract with the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (no. 663/22-MEDD/SG/DREDD.DIANA) and is recognized as an Indigenous Community Conserved Area (ICCA).
• There are disputes regarding the legality of the land lease; while a 2019 ministerial decision (« Arrêté n°27 227/2019-MAHTP du 29 Novembre 2019 ») was adopted to cancel a previously obtained lease, the community reports that a lease remains in operation.

APA

Nyobe, E. N. (2023). Save the ICCA of Sakatia in Madagascar against land grabbing. Natural Justice. https://naturaljustice.org/save-the-icca-of-sakatia-in-madagascar-against-land-grabbing/

Chicago

Nyobe, Eliane Ngo. Save the ICCA of Sakatia in Madagascar against land grabbing. Natural Justice, 2023. https://naturaljustice.org/save-the-icca-of-sakatia-in-madagascar-against-land-grabbing/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Nyobe |first1=Eliane Ngo |title=Save the ICCA of Sakatia in Madagascar against land grabbing |publisher=Natural Justice |date=30 October 2023 |url=https://naturaljustice.org/save-the-icca-of-sakatia-in-madagascar-against-land-grabbing/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{nyobe2023save, author = {Nyobe, Eliane Ngo}, title = {{Save the ICCA of Sakatia in Madagascar against land grabbing}}, publisher = {Natural Justice}, year = {2023}, month = oct, url = {https://naturaljustice.org/save-the-icca-of-sakatia-in-madagascar-against-land-grabbing/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }