The Third Environment Program Support Project aims at improving the protection, and sustainable management of critical biodiversity resources at the field level,mainstreaming conservation into macroeconomic management and sector programs, and establishing sustainable financing mechanisms. It seeks to assist the Government of Madagascar implement selective elements of the environment program, for which two subsidiary development objectives have been specified: eco-regions, conserved and managed on a sustainable manner with active multi-stakeholder participation; and, strengthened by incorporating management objectives into public policy making and investments. The project comprises three main components: 1) forest ecosystem management will support the formulation and implementation of forest zoning, forest control, and, the establishment of an information system. Activities will improve forest governance, and strengthen the allocation of concession rights, and the institutional framework for regulatory enforcement. Conservation sites will be created for the preservation of biodiversity, and watersheds; transfer of forest management rights to local communities will be fostered; reforestation practices shall create land reserves; and, household energy (charcoal and biomass) production will be improved; 2) management of protected area systems, partially supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), will provide capacity building, increase public awareness, and enhance community participation, aligning resources to expand and manage ecosystems under the national protected area system. Conservation management programs would monitor activities, and critical infrastructure, and services to stimulate ecotourism; and, financial capacity will be strengthened to support biodiversity conservation over the long-term; and, 3) establishment of and environmental information sys