Environmental Assessment
Volume C-4.5
Slurry Pipeline
Protected Areas
Ambatovy Project
160
January 2006
4.5
PROTECTED AREAS
4.5.1
Introduction
This section presents the Environmental Assessment for the effects of the slurry
pipeline on existing and planned protected areas. As per the Ambatovy Project
Terms of Reference, the potential impacts of the slurry pipeline on the ecological
integrity and economic sustainability (e.g., tourism) of protected areas within the
regional study area are evaluated.
4.5.2
Study Area
For protected areas, two study areas are used: a Local Study Area (LSA) that will
encompass the area likely to be directly impacted by the Ambatovy Project
(the project), and a Regional Study Area (RSA) that includes the area subject to
indirect effects of populations who move into the area to construct the pipeline.
The slurry pipeline LSA for protected areas is the same as the terrestrial study
area presented in Volume A, Section 7, Figure 7.2-2. It includes areas within
1 km of the planned pipeline route. The slurry pipeline RSA includes all areas
within 100 km of the route.
4.5.3
Baseline Summary
One existing protected area, one proposed protected area and one Ramsar site are
located within the slurry pipeline LSA. These areas are mapped in Volume J,
Section 6.1, Figure 6.1-2.
The Torotorofotsy Ramsar Site contains the largest and most intact inland marsh
in eastern Madagascar. Ramsar sites are not protected until specific legislation is
enacted by the state of Madagascar; however, Ramsar sites are wetlands of
recognized international importance, which have been designated based on their
significance in terms of ecology, botany, zoology, limnology or hydrology.
Generally, it is expected under the Ramsar Convention that Ramsar sites will
receive some kind of protected status incorporating the “wise use” concept
(Ramsar Secretariat 2004). The Torotorofotsy wetlands are presently used for
ecotourism, small-scale hunting and plant harvesting, and (at the perimeter of the
wetlands) rice farming, small-scale sustainable forestry (eucalyptus trees) and
human habitation. Under baseline conditions, 40% of the portion of the Ramsar
site that has been mapped for this project has been distributed by either slash-
and-burn (tavy) agriculture, eucalyptus plantations or use as rice paddies.
