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''Masoala'' can be translated with ''the eye of the forest'' - ''maso'' means forest and ''ala'' eye in the Malagasy language. According to history, the first inhabitants of Madagascar settled in the Masoala region. During the 15th and 16th century, slave traders stopped at [[Nosy Mangabe]] on their sails to Asia or Europe. Today, the [[Betsimisaraka]] remain the dominant ethnic group of the [[Antalaha]] and [[Maroantsetra]] region. The people of Maroantsetra call themselves ''Antimaroa''. The Masoala National Park was created on the 2nd March 1997 and the Nosy Mangabe Special Reserve on the 14th December 1965. Masoala National Park is one of six national parks on the east coast of Madagascar, all of which were declared a ''World Heritage in Danger'' by UNESCO under the combined name [http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1257 Rainforests of the Atsinanana] in 2010.

According to historyThe Masoala protected area is a very important water reserve for the region, as it supplies water for the first inhabitants rice fields and is a source for drinking water. The development of Madagascar settled in ecotourism benefits the local population, as it generates jobs such as guides, porters, craftsman and merchants.  Despite its strategic role, Masoala regionis threatened by human activities. During the 15th and 16th centuryThe main conservation targets are:* Dense humid forest 0m - 800m: land clearing, illegal logging of precious timber, slave traders stopped at [[Nosy Mangabe]] on their sails * Eastern coastal forest: is highly threatened due to its proximity to Asia or Europe. Todayvillages and soil characteristics     * Reef: its protection involves preservation of the coast, the [[Betsimisaraka]] remain the dominant ethnic group areas of the [[Antalaha]] seagrass and mangroves against erosion and [[Maroantsetra]] regionsilting.   such as illegal timber logging . The people To overcome these problems, it is important to know what elements of Maroantsetra call themselves ''Antimaroa''these protected areas requiring urgent intervention in their management. These are called conservation targets.