Madagascar forest destroyed in sapphire rush

sapphire rush has brought thousands of people into the remote rainforests of eastern Madagascar, disfiguring a protected environmental area and prompting calls for military intervention.

More high-quality sapphires have been found in the biodiverse area known as Corridor Ankeniheny-zahamena in the past six months than were found over the past 20 years.

Tens of thousands of miners and gem traders have poured into the rainforests around the village of Bemainty, said local officials. The miners have cut down acres of forest in the protected area, which environmental group Conserva- tion International helps to manage.

The island nation is renowned for its biodiversity and its protected forests “one of Madagascar’s most precious resources,” say the World Bank.