Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve

Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve is a nature reserve located near the western coast of Madagascar in Melaky Region at 18°40′S 44°45′E. The area was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990 due to the unique geography, preserved mangrove forests, and wild bird and lemur populations.[1][2]

Bemaraha National Park
IUCN category Ia (strict nature reserve)
A karst limestone formation, known as tsingy in Malagasy
Location of Bemaraha National Park
LocationWestern Madagascar
Nearest cityMorondava, Antsalova
Coordinates18°40′S 44°45′E
Area853 km²
Established1997
Visitorsapprox. 6000 (in 2005)
Governing bodyParcs Nationaux Madagascar - ANGAP
Official nameTsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve
TypeNatural
Criteriavii, x
Designated1990 (14th session)
Reference no.494rev
State PartyMadagascar
RegionAfrica

National Park

The southern end of the protected area has subsequently been changed into the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park, covering 666 square kilometres (257 sq mi). The northern end of the protected area remains as a strict nature reserve (Réserve Naturelle Intégrale) covering 853 square kilometres (329 sq mi). It is characterised by needle-shaped limestone formations, above cliffs over the Manambolo River.[3] The incredibly sharp limestone formations can cut through equipment and flesh easily, which makes traversing them extremely difficult. The word "Tsingy" is derived from a local word meaning "the place where one cannot walk barefoot".

Tourism

Tourists can access the national park by road from Morondava, a town 150 km south of the park. Limited access is also possible from the town of Antsalova, which can be reached by plane from Antananarivo or Mahajanga.

See also

References
  1. "Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve". UNESCO. Retrieved 2009-11-01.
  2. Shea, Neil (November 2009). "Living On a Razor's Edge: Madagascar's labyrinth of stone". National Geographic. Retrieved 2009-11-01.
  3. "21 World Heritage Sites you have probably never heard of". Daily Telegraph.

Media related to Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve at Wikimedia Commons

A view of the park
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