Republic of Mauritius- World Environment Day makes global call to save planet earth’s biodiversity

Behind the 2020 WED campaign slogan ,“Time for Nature”, there is an urgent call to harness global effort to safeguard the ecosystem and halt environmentally destructive activities.

Hence, to mark this year’s event, the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change, will undertake the several activities in line with its agenda to adopt responsible and environmentally sustainable practices to protect the environment.

The activities include the uplifting of health tracks at Le Dauguet Nature Trail, Camp Thorel, Bassin (Quatre Bornes), Priest Peak (Cité Martial) and Roche Noires .

Besides, a general cleaning exercise along with reforestation and planting of endemic plants as well as fruit trees, will be carried out in some regions.

An embellishment and tree planting programme along Jemmapes Street, Port Louis, outdoor Gymnasia at Le Dauguet Nature Trail and Citadel, and the greening and landscaping of verges of M1 and M2 Motorway and their lateral accesses to towns and villages, are also on the agenda.

Moreover, a sensitisation campaign on the theme of World Environment Day, will be carried out.

It is recalled that the goals of the Ministry as set in the Government Programme 2020-2024 is investing in clean energy, shifting to a cleaner and greener Mauritius, mitigating risks from climate change and protecting marine resources.

Some key projects underway  include: finalisation of a Climate Change Bill; accelerating the development of renewable energy to reach 35% in 2025 and 40% in 2030; promoting the setting up of a photovoltaic system for households, SMEs, cooperatives, NGOs, small planters and breeders; implementation of a national cleaning and waste management programme; implementation of a centralised medical and clinical waste incineration project to ensure better management of toxic and hazardous products; and introduction of new eco-friendly measures such as building norms and improve public infrastructure for better protection against natural disasters such as cyclones and floods.

The Assises de l’Environnement held on 16 and 17 December 2019 brought together some 400 participants from 22 institutions to have their inputs  regarding environmental concerns for the elaboration of a Master Plan for the environmental policy 2020-2030 as well as an Action plan for the next five years.

World Environment Day

World Environment Day, held since 1974 on 05 June, is a vital platform to raise awareness and call for actions as regards addressing environmental issues and raising the alarm about climate change.

It aims at strengthening the commitment and consolidating the efforts of governments, major corporations, non-governmental organisations and communities from across the world to champion the environmental cause through a collective and united stand.