Regional/Cultural Day
Fetin'ny Tany
Madagascar is one of the most biodiverse countries on earth (5% of the world's species, 80% of which are endemic), and Earth Day is observed with tree planting, environmental education, and the reminder that the lemurs, the baobabs, and the rainforests are unique and irreplaceable. The country has lost 90% of its original forest cover since humans arrived 2,000 years ago, and the deforestation continues at a rate of about 1% per year. The Earth Day events include the planting of native trees (not eucalyptus or pine, which are invasive), the cleaning of rice paddies, and the education of children about the unique ecosystems of the island.
