Makira is estimated to contain around 50% of Madagascar’s floral biodiversity and harbors the highest lemur diversity in the country with 17 species.

The Makira forests are a key, intact biodiversity stronghold and a vital bridge maintaining connectivity across protected areas in the region including Masoala National Park and Marojejy National Park, (which are both included in the Rainforests of Atsinanana UNESCO World Heritage Site), Anjanaharibe-Sud Special Reserve, Marotandrano Special Reserve and Mananara National Park.

The human population of Makira Natural Park is predominantly of the Betsimisaraka and Tsimihety peoples, almost all of whom in the region are agriculturalists who grow their own crops.

[1] The people of Makira Natural Park are predominantly observant of traditional Malagasy religion who worship Zanahary, with Christianity being the second most common identity (though with 98% of the region's Christians still practicing traditional Malagasy religion as part of their spirituality).

[1] Researchers at Harvard University Center for the Environment, Madagascar Health and Environmental Research, University of California and Maroantsetra District Public Hospital calculated the economic value of botanical ethnomedicines in the Makira Natural Parl (then Makira Protected Area) and estimated mean benefits of ethnomedicines per year at approximately US$5.40–7.90 per person, $30.20–44.30 per household, and between $756,050 and $1,110,220 for all residents.