"Green Island" program to start in Mauritius

The Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development is working on a comprehensive adaptation programme to study and find solutions to climate change, drought, desertification as well as loss of biodiversity.

The ministry will also set up a Climate Division. Minister Deva Virahsawmy, who was officially launching the Maurice Ile Durable (MID) project yesterday, said the comprehensive adaptation programme will be an important aspect of Maurice Ile Durable. 

MID, he said, is heading in the right direction and civil society is getting involved in the elaboration of a MID vision through a series of working sessions where the suggestions, views and comments will be considered when drafting a 10-year MID strategy and Action Plan. 

The ministry has set up six groups to work on the different aspects such as energy, environment, education, employment and equity where more sustainable practices can be implemented.

“Two working groups have been set up for the environment sector and their aims are to identify the means and ways of achieving the national MID vision and come up with concrete recommendations,” Mr Virahsawmy said.

He added that the ultimate objective is to see how the project can be achieved through proper coordination and with the participation of the entire population.

“For many years, Mauritius has been known as a paradise island, however given the numerous challenges we need to rethink our development model to remain on a sustainable pathway,” said Virahsawmy. He also announced that his ministry is implementing an integrated coastal management framework for the protection of the lagoons.

By Nitesh Boodhoo