Rs 13 million grant to the Vallée de Ferney to strengthen its sustainable conservation mission

Vallée de Ferney, Mauritius’ preserved natural sanctuary, is stepping up its conservation efforts through a partnership with the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF). This partnership sees Ferney Ltd benefit from a “Great Grant” of Rs 13 million over three years to launch three innovative projects centered around the Nyon River.

This initiative marks a crucial step in Ferney's mission to protect the exceptional biodiversity of the Vallée de Ferney. The project, the result of collaboration between Ferney Ltd and the Vallée de Ferney Conservation Trust, aims to mitigate the impacts of climate change. The CEPF, through a significant grant, allows Ferney to implement an ambitious program aimed at strengthening the climate resilience of the ecosystem surrounding the Nyon river.

The allocated funds will support crucial actions, including the restoration of degraded forests, the reforestation of pasture areas, and the creation of an agroecological farm in collaboration with local communities. The signing of the subsidy agreement between Ferney Ltd and CEPF on November 15 represents a major milestone in the preservation of the environment in Mauritius.

« Key Biodiversity Area »

Jean Noël Wong, representative of CIEL Properties, underlines the importance of this unique grant, affirming that it will allow Ferney to realize its long-term vision for strengthening the ecosystems of this region with high environmental value. Wong emphasizes the project's innovative approach, combining conservation, sustainable agriculture and community resilience, in perfect alignment with the CIEL group's sustainable development strategy.

Vallée de Ferney stands out as the first recipient of a CEPF “Large Grant” for the 2022-27 funding cycle, selected after a rigorous process due to its work in an area identified as a “Key Biodiversity Area” within the Regional Biodiversity Hotspot. Manoj Vaghjee, president of FORENA, underlines that this selection is also explained by the priority given to projects creating jobs and skills, an essential criterion for the CEPF.

The CEPF, a joint program involving the French Development Agency, Conservation International, the European Union, the Global Environment Facility, the Japanese Government and the World Bank, aims to support biodiversity in “hotspots” ecologically threatened. To date, it has contributed significantly to the protection of nearly 1,000 endangered species and the preservation of more than 50 million hectares of key biodiversity areas.

Stimulate natural regeneration

The actions undertaken by Vallée de Ferney, with the support of CEPF, aim to strengthen the resilience of natural habitats, crucial for native fauna and flora, particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. The project is deployed along three major axes: the restoration of 20 hectares of degraded forests, the reforestation of 10 hectares of pastures, and the creation of an agroecological farm. The latter, focused on training farmers from neighboring villages, aims to regenerate up to two hectares of land by 2026 within the Ferney Agri Hub.

The first initiative targets the elimination of invasive species and the introduction of pioneer species to stimulate natural regeneration, with 10 hectares dedicated to reforestation, thus strengthening local biodiversity. The agroecological farm, in addition to its ecological advantages, brings economic and social benefits, placing particular emphasis on the empowerment of women in the Vieux Grand Port region.

The Vallée de Ferney Conservation Trust, the result of a partnership between the CIEL Group and the Mauritian government since 2007, works closely with the Mauritius Wildlife Foundation (MWF) for the conservation and reintroduction of endemic species. With the new funding, an extended collaboration with the NGO Nature Yetu, based in Mahébourg, is emerging, strengthening conservation and restoration skills, while promoting communication and dissemination of good practices.

CIEL sustainable strategy

The Vallée de Ferney, extending over 3,100 hectares with more than 1,500 hectares of forests and more than 1,000 hectares of agricultural land, remains at the heart of the CIEL Group's sustainable strategy. Over the past two decades, the group has actively contributed to the conservation of this diverse and vital ecosystem by replanting more than 35,000 endemic trees and reintroducing endangered plant and animal species.

This initiative fits perfectly into CIEL’s overall sustainability strategy, particularly in the “Activate Climate Response” pillar. CIEL's ambition is to make Ferney a benchmark in sustainable development, an eco-responsible living destination, and an exemplary ecotourism site. The signing of the grant agreement between CEPF and Ferney Ltd represents a shared commitment to preserving biodiversity, promoting sustainable agriculture and strengthening community resilience. This significant step towards a long-term vision for the regeneration and strengthening of the region's natural ecosystems ensures a greener and more sustainable future for the Vallée de Ferney and its inhabitants.