According to Sky News, extensive illegal mining has transformed the shores of Lake Alaotra, in northern central Madagascar. The forest that once covered this area has been almost entirely replaced by mining shafts and mounds of rubble. Searching for precious gems, thousands of workers have settled in the area, and work in dangerous conditions to fight their economic situations, often defined by extreme poverty. The United Nations has warned that Madagascar is on the brink of the world's first climate-induced famine, with failed crops and dried rivers leading to widespread hunger. In addition, the conditions miners work in are highly dangerous. Safety measures and the equipment used are inadequate, creating hazardous conditions. Despite Madagascar's government signing agreements to stop deforestation, the implementation on the ground remains weak. The island, rich in natural resources like beryl, rubies, and sapphires, remains one of the poorest countries globally.