Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve

18°40′S 44°45′E / 18.667°S 44.750°E / -18.667; 44.750Area834.11 km² (322.05 sq mi)Established31 December 1927Governing bodyMadagascar National ParksOfficial nameTsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature ReserveTypeNaturalCriteriavii, xDesignated1990 (14th session)Reference no.494revRegionAfrica

Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve (Malagasy: Tsingin'ny Bemaraha, French: Réserve naturelle intégrale du Tsingy de Bemaraha) is a nature reserve located near the western coast of Madagascar in Melaky Region. 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]

National Park

The southern end of the protected area was changed into the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park in 1997, while the northern end of the protected area remains as a strict nature reserve (Réserve Naturelle Intégrale). Borders were most recently adjusted in 2011.

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

• List of national parks of Madagascar
• Madagascar dry deciduous forests
• Penitente (snow formation)
• Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park
• World Heritage Sites in Madagascar
• Manambolo River

References

External links

Strict Nature ReservesNational parksMarine National ParksSpecial ReservesOther protected areas