Ampefy lake shore hotel in Madagascar

There are several security lights outside the house. The wall mounted lights all have PIR sensors. This means that they only light up when motion is detected. Naturally, they are turned off during the day. This minimises the need for electrical power while maximising customer security.

The ground lights are all solar powered, operating only after dusk. They give out a small amount of light to mark the walkways across the property. Only using 1.5v of energy, the power is completely safe. The fountain and crazy golf course used electricity to power moving parts. This is all solar powered. Only using 1.5v of energy, the power is completely safe. The holiday centre uses batteries for many purposes, including radios, walkie talkies and children’s toys. We only use rechargeable batteries. There are several rechargers on the property to power most types of commonly used batteries – all rechargers are solar powered. The electric generator is powered by a 12v battery. This battery is also recharged by solar power. The generator is useful for a variety of emergencies. Depending upon availability, customers are welcome to use solar rechargers at no cost.

Where possible, food is only be sourced from either local suppliers or will be grown in our own fruit and vegetable garden. Food is sourced from local farmers in order to support the local community – inward and local investment is important to us. Fruit juices are both freshly made in the hotel and also bought from Malagasy suppliers. Chemicals are only used in the fruit and vegetable garden in order to save failing crops – otherwise chemicals are not to be used. The fruit and vegetable garden is to use complimentary planting techniques in order to maintain and encourage a wildlife-friendly environment. This includes the use of flowers such as Marigolds and Lavender which are shown to prevent some pests from getting too close to the vegetables.

Waste water and sewage is sent to the cess pit. Here it is broken down and released safely into the ground, 3m below the surface. For this reason, chemicals such as bleach cannot be released into the plumbing system. Neither can toiletries such as towels, which must be disposed in the toilet bins provided.

Animal waste (from poultry) is recycled upon the property – used for manure to help plant growth in all areas of the property, especially the fruit and vegetable garden. Plant cuttings and rubbish are recycled for compost. Food waste is added to plant waste for composting. Litter is added to compost as appropriate. Litter that cannot be composted is disposed of with local authority waste.

Recycling in Madagascar is not the same concept as in the West. The Malagasy typically try to recycle items as a matter of ordinary life. However, litter that cannot be used elsewhere is traditionally often disposed of at the side of the road. We do not support this practice of littering. All rubbish that can be recycled is recycled. However, where recycling is not possible, we dispose of waste with the local authority.

Garden waste is composted

Restaurant waste is composted

Left over building materials are donated to local people

Dug earth (from building works) has been used to repair natural land erosion such as repairing stream beds that are enlarging and taking away the land of local farmers

Water is required for a variety of needs. Pumping water from the lake is costly. So, large tanks will be set up (in November 2008) on the hillside to collect rain water. This can be used in the dry winter season to water the crops and to wash a variety of items. The aim is to collect 24 cubic metres of water ready for use as needed. Also, we have a freshwater well. In 2008, we plan to link a solar powered pump to the well to provide constant water – even in the dry season.

In 2006, we supported the local water management committee with a substantial donation of materials and professional workforce to revitalise the pipeline that was put in place by a Christian NGO many years earlier. This water now flows more powerfully for a community of several thousand people. Drinking water is only taken from bottled water. All fruit and vegetables are washed in water that has been purified.

There are many animals in Madagascar that are unique in the world. We encourage visitors to respect the wildlife of our country so that it is available for all future generations. The rainforests are rushing towards extinction in many areas of Madagascar. There are many items that are being made from wood that should be protected – including Rosewood, Ebony and Palissandre. We encourage visitors to not buy products made from these plants. Plants can be bought from reputable plant nurseries in all large towns. We encourage visitors to buy from such places rather than take plants from the wild.

In many areas of Madagascar, the slash and burn technique of farming still takes place. There are very strong laws in Madagascar that bring severe sentences for people who slash and burn land. We actively support the fight to bring an end to this environmentally dangerous practice of farming. More information is made available in our Tourist Information point.

We only stock products in our gift shop that do not impact upon protected or endangered species of plants or animals. We are in discussions with the heads of the Region d’Itasy to plant 1 000 000 trees around the lake. We aim to reintroduce woodland into the community. Deforestation is almost complete around the lake and our woodland will be used to encourage visitors by landscaping it into a park. It will also encourage the return of native animals into the area, such as birds and chameleons. Trees will include pine, eucalyptus and a variety of fruit trees to name just a few. Within this expanding woodland, in future years, we aim to create complementary businesses, including a café. This will help to secure the longevity of the woodland.

The location of the woodland is about 6km from our Centre and is to be planted on the land of 2 mountains overlooking the lake. This area is not presently being used for farming.

We have repaired water pipes for the local community so that over 2000 people now have unlimited water throughout the year. Last year, water was so limited that at the end of the dry season there was no water at all for 2 months for the entire community.

We have set up a travel tour agency and a local tourist info centre in order to inform tourists of all the local sites to see. We encourage tourists to leave the car and engage in the culture. We have acquired over 100m of lake waterfront in order to develop in to a bandstand/outdoor theatre and sales of giftware so that local culture is celebrated.