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NATURAL RESOURCE ASPECTS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN MAURITIUS
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AGRICULTURE
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
The Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources is responsible for promoting
agricultural sustainability.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
Action has been taken in two fields:
1. Recycling of organic wastes and development of organic farming.
2. Development of integrated plant nutrient systems to cut down on chemical inputs.
Furthermore, attempts are underway towards integrated pest management (IPM) for a few pests (Liriomyza leaf miners and Plutells spp. on crucifers) so as to minimize the use of pesticides, in line with FAO's definition of IPM for its field work programmes.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
The private sector and small farming communities participate in sustainable agriculture.
An islandwide land resource appraisal is ongoing on marginal soils with a view to improving land management.
Status
No information is available.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research and TechnologiesRemote sensing and geographic information system techniques will be resorted for developing management practices that help to maintain the quality of land resources. Remote sensing activities are supported from the Government of India.
The Government is strengthening its institutional research and extension capability to develop and disseminate technologies linked with sustainable agriculture.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
No information is available.
* * *
This information is based on Mauritius' submission to the 5th Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: 4 June 1997
To access the FAOSTAT Data Base for
information by country, item, element and year, click here:
Click here to link to the Biosafety
Information Network and Advisory Service (BINAS), a service of the United Nations
Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), which monitors global developments in
regulatory issues in biotechnology.
Click here to link to Country and
Sub-regional Information on Plant Genetic Resources of the Food and Agricultural
Organization of the United Nations.
Click here to go
to Web Site of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, which includes information on the Codex
Alimentarius and the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme.
Click here to access the Web Site of the
Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).
Click here to access the sixteen
international agricultural research centers that are members of the CGIAR.
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ATMOSPHERE
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
The Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Health, and the Meteorological Services are
responsible for the protection of the atmosphere. Legislation to protect the atmosphere is
under review.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
The Government also supports the conservation and enhancement of sinks and reservoirs of
greenhouse gases, including biomass, forests and oceans, as well as other terrestrial,
coastal, and marine ecosystems, through forest preservation, ongoing programme of
reforestation, and establishment of nature marine parks.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes and Projects
With the assistance of the US Country Studies Programme, Mauritius is preparing its
National Inventory of GHG emissions, and has also undertaken various studies, including
the vulnerability assessment and adaptation measures for water resources, agriculture
(sugar cane), and coastal protection.
Status
No information is available.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
The Montreal Protocol (1987) was signed in 1992, and ratified on August 18, 1992. The London Amendment (1990) was signed on October 20, 1992. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was signed in 1992, and ratified on September 4, 1992.
* * *
This information is based on Mauritius' submission to the 5th Session of the Commission
on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: 1 April 1997
For country reports on Plant Genetic
Resources, click here.
Click here for national information from the Web
site of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
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BIODIVERSITY
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
The National Parks and Conservation Service within the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural
Resources is primarily responsible for issues related to biodiversity and genetic
resources. It shares responsibility with the Ministry of Environment and Quality of Life.
Other institutions actively involved in conservation matters are the Mauritian Appeal
Foundation, the Mauritius Sugar Industry Research Institute, and the University of
Mauritius.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
The Wildlife and National Parks Act (1993) governs the National Parks and Conservation
Service. A Technical Committee was set up to draw specific protection plans for most
endangered plants species.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
A management plan on the ecological restoration of numerous islets around is being
implemented. Captive breeding of endemic threatened birds has been enabled and two species
have been saved from extinction. In-situ and ex-situ conservation of endangered endemic
plants is being actively pursued.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes and ProjectsThe Wildlife and National Parks Advisory Council was set up in 1994 and given responsibility for overseeing the National Parks Project.
Biodiversity protection is given very high priority by the Mauritian Government.
Various national programmes for the conservation of biodiversity are being implemented. In
1994, the first national park (6,574 ha) of Mauritius was proclaimed. This park is the
refuge for most endemic fauna and flora. Mauritius was the first country to ratify the
Convention on Biological Diversity through GEF. Various projects for the restoration of
degraded forests are underway.
Status
No information is available.
Challenges
No information is
available.
The total number of trained foresters is eight. Two of them have been trained at the Deradhurn Institute of Forestry, India. There are four technical officers, one has been trained at Jersey Wildlife, one at Kew Gardens and one in Australia. Staff members regularly attend workshops, seminars and conferences of the Convention on Biodiversity.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
FinancingUnder the Indian Ocean Commission, funds are made available for setting up a Conservation Management Area with 5 hectares and training for staffs abroad and locally.
Funding is mainly provided from the Government, the Conservation Management Fund and the World Bank.
Cooperation
The Convention on Biological Diversity was ratified 1992. The Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was ratified in 1975. The
latest report to the CITES Secretariat was submitted in 1995.
Mauritius cooperated with IUCN in the preparation of the Red Data Book. Mauritius cooperates with Kew Gardens and Orstom in the preparation of the 'Flore des Mascareignes."
* * *
This information is based on Mauritius' submission to the 5th Session of the Commission on
Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: 4 June 1997
For access to the Web Site of the Convention on
Biological Diversity, click here:
For access to the Web Site of
the CITES Convention, click here:
For the Web Site of the CMS
Convention, click here:
For the Web Site of the Convention on the
Protection of the World's Cultural and Natural Heritage, click here:
For the country-by-country, Man in the Biosphere
On-Line Query System, click here:
Click here to link to the Biosafety
Information Network and Advisory Service (BINAS), a service of the United Nations
Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), which monitors global developments in
regulatory issues in biotechnology.
Click here to go to the Web Site of UNEP's
International Register on Biosafety.
Click here for the International Centre
for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Biosafety WebPages
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Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Legislation and RegulationsNo information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
Mauritius is not affected by desertification but is sometimes affected by drought. The
measures that are taken against drought are as follows:
(i) For domestic consumption of water there is a constant monitoring of the levels of
all reservoirs, and when levels are low, all the population are advised through TV and
radio to make economic use of water, also water supply than is restricted.
(ii) For agriculture, irrigation methods have been chosen which use less water, for
example surface irrigation was replaced by drip irrigation.
(iii) The construction of a new dam - the Midland Dam - was propsed in order to increase
water storage capacity.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes and Projects
No information is available.
Status
No information is available.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
The International Convention to Combat Desertification in Countries Experiencing Drought and/or Desertifiaction, Particularly in Africa was ratified in 1996.
* * *
This information is based on Mauritius' submission to the 5th Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: 4 June 1997
For access to the Web Site of the Convention to Combat Desertification and Drought, click here:
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No information is available.
* * *
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FORESTS
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
The Forestry Service is responsible for the management of all state-owned land, within the
framework of the National Forest Policy. The Forestry Service is a department of the
Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
There are two main legislations for the protection of forests and wildlife, the Forest and
Reserves Act of 1983 and the Wildlife and National Park Act of 1993.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
Main objectives for the management of forests are, inter alia:
(i) protection of the strategically located upland forests for soil and water conservation
and for the protection of the rare native flora and fauna;
(ii) production of timber, poles and other forest products for local needs.
The Forestry Service has the following annual targets:
Production of 1.2 million of forestry and decorative seedlings.
Re- and afforestation of 200 ha. of state lands.
Weeding and tending of 700 ha of young plantations.
Production of about 15,000 m3 of timber and poles.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
The private sector, NGOs and youth movements are important to sustainable forestry.
Programmes and Projects
No information is available.
StatusOnce densely covered with indigenous species, the forest cover of Mauritius today amounts to 57,059 hectares of which 34,540 hectares are privatly owned. About 1% of the total land area is under native forests. There are about 22,500 ha of state-owned forests out of which 4,600 hectares have been declared Nature Reserves and National Park. There are 12,400 ha of forest plantations, with Pelliottii as the major species (about 80%). The Pine forests in the central uplands play a major role in soil and water conservation. A limited amount of utility timber (about 8,000m3) is exploited annually. Most hardwoods are being imported.
Mauritius being a small island, land is a very scarce resource. The forest plantations are not sufficient to meet the local demand for timber and the furniture and construction industries rely heavily on imported timber. Mauritius has an annual felling programme of 100 ha approximately.
Challenges
No information is
available.
The senior staff of the Forestry Service consists of three university trained professionals. There are 126 forestry technicians and a supervisory and labour force of about 1,300 persons. There is a shortage of technical staff at all levels. Over the years the labour force has been reduced and the Forestry Service is gradually resorting to mechanisation, especially for land preparation prior to reafforestation.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
The Forestry Service is totally funded by the Government.
Cooperation
Mauritius has no long tradition of commitment and participation in international movements for ecological conservation, but it has solid working links with such agencies as the United Nation Environment Programme, the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust and others.
* * *
This information is based on Mauritius' submission to the 5th Session of the
Commission on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: 4 June 1997
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FRESHWATER
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
The Central Water Authority is in charge of freshwater. The supply and management of fresh
water resources is the responsibility of the Water Resources Unit of the Ministry of
Energy.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes and Projects
No information is available.
Status
Some 99.8% of the population has access to safe water resources, and 99.1% has access to
sanitation services.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
No information is available.
* * *
This information is based on Mauritius' submission to the 5th Session of the Commission
on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: 1 April 1997
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LAND MANAGEMENT
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
The National Environment Commission and the Environment Coordination Commission are
responsible for land management. Local authorities are statutorily responsible for the
implementation of Outline Schemes, while the Ministry of the Environment only advises on
important strategic issues.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
The introduction in 1994 of the National Physical Development Plan (NPDP), prepared under
the Environmental Investment Programme, marked a historical step towards handling
multi-sectoral issues such as housing, industry, leisure, and environment, within the
overall development process in an integrated fashion. In concrete terms, the NPDP
testifies to the government's commitment towards the sustainable use of resources and
purports to strike a balance between development and the protection of the environment,
while at the same time seeking social equity. The NPDP has two main objectives, namely:
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
Governmental organizations, parastatal bodies, and NGOs are all active in this area.
Programmes and Projects
No information is available.
Status
No information is available.
Challenges
The effective elaboration and implementation of plans, which evolved within the overall
planning process, has been hindered due to the lack of adequate human resources both at
the professional and sub-professional level.
There are ad hoc training programmes for officers of the Department of Environment.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
No information is available.
* * *
This information is based on Mauritius' submission to the 5th Session of the Commission
on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: 1 April 1997
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MOUNTAINS
No information is available.
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OCEANS AND COASTAL AREAS
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources is primarily responsible for ensuring
integrated planning and implementation.
Various national agencies and government bodies, including the Mauritius Tourism
Promotion Authority, the Central Water Authority, the Ministry of Environment and Quality
of Life, the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, the Ministry of Energy, the
Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Housing, Lands and Town and Country Planning, among
others, have been active in implementing measures for the management of freshwater
resources, energy, land use, transportation in tourist resort areas, and construction in
coastal areas. Other measures include the prevention of near shore water pollution, waste
minimization, and the improvement and expansion of health facilities.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
The Fisheries Act (1980) and the Maritime Zones Act (1977) are under review.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
Regarding natural and environmental disaster reduction, Mauritius has also taken steps to
improve communication networks, promote exchange and dissemination of information for
disaster preparedness, including early warning and pre-disaster planning, and relevant
training and access to technology for early warning, risk assessment and disaster
management. Mauritius has also established a disaster emergency fund, under the Prime
Minister's office, for efficient and quick response and relief.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes and Projects
No information is available.
Status
No information is available.
Challenges
No information is
available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
Mauritius participates in international cooperative scientific programmes, such as the
Indo Pacific Tuna Programme (IPTP) of FAO, the regional tuna project of the Indian Ocean
Commission (IOC), and the regional environment programme of the IOC. National institutions
responsible for integrated coastal management have access to several data bases, including
the regional tuna database, the bank fishery database, and the marine ecosystem and
coastal pollution database.
Financing
No information is available.
CooperationJapanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) provides finance for activities in this area and Mauritius works with JICA, Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), UNEP, and IPTP. Mauritius is also a member of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) and the Western Indian Ocean Tuna Organization (WIOTO).
* * *
This information is based on Mauritius' submission to the 5th Session of the Commission on
Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: 1 April 1997
To access the Web Site of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, click here:
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Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
The government has prepared comprehensive legislation for the control of hazardous
substances with a view to protect human health and the environment. Mauritius has taken
steps to follow the recommendations of Agenda 21 on toxic chemicals. The government has
actively participated in the implementation of the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure
of the Amended London Guidelines. Most of the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) have
been banned.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes and Projects
No information is available.
Status
No information is available.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
No information is available.
* * *
This information is based on Mauritius' submission to the 5th Session of the Commission
on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: 1 April 1997
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WASTE AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Solid Waste and Sanitation
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
The Waste Water Sector in Mauritius is under the Waste Water Authority.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
From 1992 to 1996, considerable effort has been exerted to promote the waste sector by
setting up programmes aiming to provide sustainable and environmentally sound facilities
of sewage systems. Measures are also being taken for the institutional strengthening of
the Waste Water Authority, to ensure the efficient operation and financial management of
the sewage sector.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes and Projects
In 1992, under the National Environmental Investment Programme, the Government of Mauritius launched a Sewage Master Plan Study with the objective of identifying programmes to provide a long term solution for the safe disposal of human and industrial waste. The Master Plan was completed in 1991 and, since 1994, the Government of Mauritius has been organizing the financing of the following projects:
Status
No information is available.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
No information is available.
* * *
This information is based on Mauritius' submission to the 5th Session of the
Commission on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: 1 April 1997
Hazardous Wastes
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Legislation and RegulationsNo information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
The Department of Environment (DOE) is presently drafting regulations aiming at defining
hazardous waste, minimizing its generation, banning importation and controlling
exportation of such wastes as well. There is a long-term plan to train the staff of the
Department of State and other agencies.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes and ProjectsMauritius is presently constructing a landfill with a provision for cells for accommodating hazardous wastes. These cells will have a composite liner. Emphasis will be laid on development of environmentally-sound management of hazardous wastes.
Status
No information is available.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and
their Disposal was signed and ratified in 1992 and the latest information was provided to
the Basel Convention Secretariat in 1995. Mauritius has also ratified the Bamako
Convention aimed at controlling the movement of hazardous wastes.
* * *
This information is based on Mauritius' submission to the 5th Session of the Commission
on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: 1 April 1997
For direct link to the Web Site of the Basel Convention, click here:
Radioactive Wastes
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
The Radiation Protection Board and the Physics Department of the Ministry of Health are in
charge of matters of radioactivity.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes and Projects
No information is available.
StatusThe following institutions use radioactive materials:
The Ministry of Health is the only institution where there is radioactive waste. Such waste is disposed of in the following manner:
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
CooperationThe Ministry of Health is cooperating with the International Atomic Energy Agency for the management and disposal of radioactive waste.
* * *
This information is based on Mauritius' submission to the 5th Session of the Commission on
Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: 1 April 1997
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