Disappointing Pollution Figures Revealed by Statistics Mauritius

Statistics Mauritius has revealed the new figures representing the level of pollution in Mauritius. To say the least, the results of the survey are quite disappointing: Mauritius has witnessed an unprecedented level of pollution lately, as attested by the latest report. The flabbergasting increase in pollution and use of resources is particularly painful because Mauritius was supposed to have made improvements ever since it launched several projects under the banner of Maurice Ile Durable. However, reality is something else. The island is choking with its carbon dioxide emissions, while waste management and the use of fuel are pathetic.

Greenhouse Gases

The emissions of gases contributing to global warming have been on the increase; carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, sulphur have been released in greater amounts.

Fuel And Energy

The concept of working towards a sustainable environment as supported by Maurice Ile Durable focuses on renewable energy sources to a large extent. However, in spite of this, an increase has been recorded in the use of coal for the generation of electricity. In 2013, 440 600 tonnes of coal were burnt in all the power generating plants. The critical situation was fueled further by a decrease in the use of renewables.

The consumption of petrol has gone from 133 200 tonnes to 139 200 tonnes.

Waste Management

While in 2012 Mare-Chicose accommodated for 387 926 tonnes of waste materials, it had to make do with 429 935 tonnes in 2013: a 10.8 % increase. Of the total wastes produced by Mauritians, 95 % of these are domestic ones.

Water Usage

Mauritians have increased in their use of water by 11 %. Water used for domestic, industrial, and tourism purposes increased by 7.4 % as compared to the statistics in 2012. A rise of 2.7 % was recorded in the agricultural sector.

Pesticides And Fertilisers

The import of pesticides has inched up by 7.7 %, now having reached 2 185 tonnes. However, fertilisers imported have decreased by 12.9 %.

Deforestation

Since 2012, the country has lost 35 hectares of green areas. Forests now (according to 2013 figures) make up a meager 47 108.

What Has Been Reserved For 2014?

Let us hope that these stats trigger progress in the right direction. Perhaps the efforts behind the project Maurice Ile Durable will only become tangible in some more time, and not so soon.