Madagascar: World Bank gives Madagascar record environment grant

The World Bank has approved its largest environment grant to help the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar protect its unique environment and native species, the bank said on Wednesday. Madagascar, the world's fourth largest island, has a unique array of wildlife, flora and fauna but the impoverished country has few funds available to address conservation concerns. The grant of $49 million will be used to expand protected areas, establish conservation sites in forests and transfer forest management responsibilities to local communities.