In the context of World Wetlands Day, celebrated annually on 2nd February, the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security, in collaboration with the National Parks and Conservation Service and the Mauritius Wildlife Foundation, organised, today, a Clean-up Campaign at Bras d’Eau National Park.
The Attorney General, Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security, Mr Maneesh Gobin; the Minister of Blue Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping, Mr Sudheer Maudhoo; and other personalities participated in this cleaning exercise, over three kilometres, from Bras d’Eau Public Beach to Mare Sarcelles, along Poste Lafayette coastal road.
It was followed by a symbolic tree planting ceremony of endemic species such as Bois de chandelle, Baume de l’Ile Plate, Mandrinette, Bois café, Lys du pays and Veloutier blanc at Mare Sarcelles. This area is a natural water body, comprising numerous ponds with a native fern Acrosticum aureum, an important and thriving population of mangroves, and other native plant species including the orchid Oenellia polystachys. The site is ideal for bird watching as it supports a few species of migratory birds. An area of 0.5 Ha at Mare Sarcelles Wetland is presently being restored, and some 200 endemic trees will be planted there.
In a statement, Mr Maneesh Gobin recalled that World Wetlands Day commemorated the date of adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on 2nd February 1971 in Ramsar in Iran. The Convention on Wetlands, also called the Ramsar Convention, is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for the conservation and judicious use of wetlands and their resources, which are designated as Ramsar Sites. “As a contracting party to the Ramsar Convention since September 2001, Mauritius is committed to preserve and protect its wetlands which are home to a unique biodiversity,” affirmed the Agro-Industry Minister.
According to Mr Gobin, the Bras d’Eau region was very important and should be preserved at all cost. He called on Local Authorities, namely the Flacq District Council, to act responsibly while delivering Building and Land Permit so as not to endanger wetland ecosystems, which were key in ensuring freshwater supply, providing food and building materials, enabling flood control, recharging of groundwater, and mitigating climate change.
For his part, Mr Sudheer Maudhoo urged Mauritians to take the moral and collective responsibility to keep the country clean and to kick off the bad habits of throwing waste all over the environment. He stressed that while Government was putting in all the relevant efforts and providing adequate facilities to prevent littering and illegal dumping, citizens should change their attitude and manage their waste disposal better with a view to preventing the degradation of the environment for future generations.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of Mauritius.
© Press Release 2021
Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.
The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.
