Slash and Burn Farming – Part of the Culture

Some time ago, I flew with Sedera into the jungle to visit three villages in the Marolambo Region in Madagascar, about a 40-minute flight southeast of Antananarivo. While the medical team worked tirelessly treating patients, Sedera translated the children's program.

At the end of the dry season this year, the Malagasy once again were quick to burn down their already rare rainforest, so that even in the capital of Antananarivo, we often sit in the midst of heavy smoke from the slash and burn farming. The smoke is pushed up onto the high plateau by the prevailing easterly winds. One evening, I was uneasy because the slash and burn areas around us seemed to be very close. At night I cannot just fly away to get the helicopter to safety if there’s a risk of fire. To reassure me, Sedera asked some of the more experienced villagers to ensure that everything was under control. It is part of the culture to burn down so much rainforest.

The desire to head to the bush for a few days to escape the pollution in Antananarivo was not fulfilled this time. When the air is not moving, the entire village literally sits in its own smoke, because all of the villagers cook their rice for dinner on open fires. In the light of the flashlight I was amazed to see what our lungs are inhaling and what they can tolerate. 

Ernst, Pilot

Girls love to pose in front of the helicopter

Luggage in Mahalanga, ready for the return flight

Fiery red sky

Slash and burn at night

Polluted air in the flashlight beam

The medical team

Poor visibility and smoke

Sedera translating in Mahavelona

Pantomime