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Conservation

A principal mission of the MCDA is the cataloging, survey, and reporting of newly-discovered caves to inform and facilitate the protection of the geology and ecology of caves around the country. In support of this objective, the MCDA has an official coordination agreement with Madagascar’s national government on legislative and regulatory issues regarding safety, site access, and conservation.

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Research and Exploration

Madagascar is a profoundly important well of information about the natural history of our planet. With reverence for the wonders kept by the caves of this great island nation, the MCDA collaborates with world-renowned explorers, and experts in biological, paleontological, and geological fields of research to advance efforts to better understand our world. Further, by coordinating with researchers, local and national government, the MCDA works to ensure that research sites are accessible and conserved. The MCDA currently collaborates with researchers at the University of Antananarivo, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and the City University of New York (CUNY); New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology (NYCEP). 

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Tourism and Sustainability
We believe that sharing our discoveries will help generate an interest in diving Malagasy caves. However, the MCDA also recognizes that the worldwide growth of the sport comes with potential benefits and costs to both the caves and the people where these caves are found. Thus, the MCDA is committed to coordinating with the indigenous peoples of Madagascar to commercialize cave diving in a sustainable manner, for the benefit of the local communities and global adventurers alike. By working with national policy-makers to promote safety and conservation, we believe that this form of eco-tourism will provide the means to generate a locally-sustainable source of income for the people of Madagascar while also helping to preserve these caves for future generations to enjoy.