BRAS D'eau NATIONAL PARK Management Plan

BRAS D’EAU NATIONAL PARK Management Plan

2018 - 2022

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FOREWORD FROM THE MINISTER

The Republic of Mauritius takes the preservation and sustainable use of its natural assets very seriously and in this context, the Bras d’Eau National Park was proclaimed on October 25, 2011. It is the second mainland national park of Mauritius, the first being the Black River Gorges National Park. The park extends over an area of 497.2 hectares that is covered by magnificent forests including one of the last remnants of the coastal lowland dry dwarf forest. Moreover, the park is home to a precious cultural landscape and hence can be considered, as per UNESCO definition, as an outstanding example of ‘cultural properties that represent the combined works of nature and of man.’ Therefore, in this park, visitors can appreciate the natural and cultural history of our Island.

Such a special place needs looking after. Therefore, on behalf of the Government of Mauritius, I am pleased to present the Bras d’Eau National Park Management Plan (2018 - 2022). The framework presented in this management plan sets a trajectory for the sustainable use of the park, while safeguarding and even enhancing its essential values. Having a management plan and ensuring that it is implemented, is part of Government’s commitment to the protection of our natural and cultural heritage. It is with a great sense of honour and pleasure that my Ministry takes up this task.

This management plan represents a new generation of plans in which not only Government, but all stakeholders also work together to achieve the common goals embedded in the Vision for Bras d’Eau National Park. The formulation of the Management Plan has been characterised by extensive stakeholder participation and our aim is to turn the park into an example of Government and the people working together to preserve what is precious and belongs to us as a nation. It will further exemplify our determination to achieve sustainable development, and in doing so prepare for a prosperous future based on a healthy environment.

I invite all Mauritians and foreigners travelling to our country to come to Bras d’Eau National Park, to enjoy its natural beauty and spiritual qualities, and to spread the word that this is a place worth visiting.

The Honourable Mahen Kumar Seeruttun Minister of Agro Industry and Food Security Republic of Mauritius

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MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR

The last number of years has seen a growing awareness of our national parks, and increased visitation by nationals and foreigners alike. Bras d’Eau National Park is the latest park in our crown of jewels. As a new park, Bras d’Eau National Park starts with a clean slate, and the management plan is our road map for the next five years. I assure you that we will do all in our power to stay on this road and to attain our goals for the five-year period.

Bras d’Eau National Park holds significant natural, historical and cultural heritage value to all Mauritians. Apart its natural beauty, the park is rich in archaeology that dates over both the French and British colonial periods, and into the post-colonial era. It was proclaimed as a national park on 25th of October 2011 under the Wildlife and National Parks Act No.13 of 1993. This Act was subsequently replaced by the Native Terrestrial Biodiversity and National Parks Act 2015 which also makes provision for the proclamation of National Parks, and prohibits development on such lands unless it is approved by the Minister or is permitted under a Management Plan. In terms of Section 16 of the Act, once a Management Plan has been approved by the Minister, it is binding on the management and use of the reserved land. The elaboration and implementation of this plan will enable the Republic of Mauritius to meet its obligations under various Aichi Biodiversity targets of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

I would like to put on record the significant effort that has gone in conducting extensive consultations and engaging in collaborative planning during the development of the management plan. Furthermore, mechanisms have been developed that will ensure ongoing multi-directional dialogues that will make the plan an outstanding example of collaborative management.

I am pleased to note that we have received widespread support from all quarters during the making of the plan.

In terms of Section 16 of the Act, once a management plan has been approved by the Minister, it is binding in relation to the management and use of the reserved and related buffer zones. The Native Terrestrial Biodiversity and National Parks Act 2015 further establishes the Mauritius National Parks and Conservation Service (NPCS) as the management authority for national parks, with clear powers to establish, manage and regulate the activities within the national parks.

The NPCS approaches the management of the park in a very positive manner. It is anticipated that the next five years will see a stepping up of the conservation and restoration of the land and usher in an era that will witness the opening up of opportunities for all, with a specific focus on empowering local communities. The tools are now in place, and we have commitment from all quarters.

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The responsibility of looking after the park is of course a duty shared by all Mauritians. It is seen as a great opportunity for all to realise the full potential of our park. I invite everyone to partner the NPCS to ensure the park’s sustainable use. The NPCS ascribes to the approach of collective and inclusive management and is open to suggestions and recommendations from the society at large

I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Global Environmental Facility (GEF) for funding the Protected Area Network Project under which this Management Plan has been formulated. Special thanks also to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for providing the necessary technical support. I would also like to express my special thanks to the staff of my parent Ministry and to the staff of the National Parks and Conservation Service for the endeavour to develop the Management Plan. The members of Native Terrestrial Biodiversity and National Parks Advisory Council have provided constructive inputs on the Management Plan and gratitude is also conveyed to them.

Finally, I invite each and everyone to visit Bras d’Eau National Park if you have not done so already and spend some time there. It is with your support that this park will become an example of best practice throughout our region. Mauritius should not only be seen as the Island of the Dodo, the symbol of extinction but a place where various successful conservation projects have been initiated. The road ahead is long, but the work has started. Come, learn about our nature and history, and above all, enjoy!

Mr. Vishnuduth Bachraz Director National Parks and Conservation Service

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Bras d’Eau National Park: Vision Statement

The Vision Statement serves to point the direction of where the Park wishes to go. The Vision Statement for Bras d’Eau National Park is as follows:

“To be a place that is a natural, historical and cultural showcase that tells the story of Mauritius, one from which the local community and the country at large will benefit economically and spiritually, and where natural and cultural values are protected now and into the future.”

Bras d’Eau National Park: Mission Statement

The Mission Statement effectively serves as a road map on how to pursue the Vision. They outline broad imperatives that are further broken down into discreet action categories. While the Vision outlines where Bras d’ Eau National Park wants to be in the future, one can say that the Mission Statement describes what the park needs to do now, in order to give it the best chance to attain the Vision.

1. To develop Bras d’Eau National Park as an example of an efficiently run national park that adheres to the highest international norms and standards in the pursuit of its full potential.

2. To research, organise and present the natural, historical and cultural aspects of the park in a way that brings insight into the story of Mauritius, from before humans arrived on the island to the present.

3. To diversify and develop tourism attractions that will enhance the national tourism industry and position Bras d’Eau National Park as a key node in culture and nature-based tourism routes in Mauritius and the Western Indian Ocean.

4. To explore, create and implement opportunities for local economic development by involving communities in all park activities, including infrastructure development and small business creation.

5. To make the national park an exceptional example of a place of reflection and a spiritual haven in a fast developing Mauritius.

6. To make the national park an exemplary national asset based on its natural and cultural values for the people of Mauritius now and into the future.

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Table of Contents FOREWORD FROM THE MINISTER ...... iii

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR ...... v

Bras d’Eau National Park: Vision Statement ...... vii

Bras d’Eau National Park: Mission Statement ...... vii

LIST OF ACRONYMS ...... xv

What is the Management Plan? ...... xvii

How the BENP Management Plan was developed ...... xviii

Organisation of the plan ...... xviii

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... xix

PART ONE ...... 2

1 Introduction ...... 2

1.1 The Protected Area Network ...... 2

1.2 History of Bras d’Eau National Park ...... 3

1.3 Protected Area Classification and International Status ...... 3

2 The Bras d’Eau National Park ...... 4

2.1 The biophysical environment ...... 6

2.1.1 Climate ...... 6

2.1.2 Geology, landforms and soils ...... 6

2.1.3 Geohydrology ...... 7

2.1.4 Hydrology ...... 7

2.1.5 Flora ...... 7

2.1.6 Fauna ...... 9

2.2 The cultural landscape ...... 10

2.3 Sense of place ...... 12

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2.4 Visitor activities ...... 13

2.5 Infrastructure ...... 13

3 The Legal and Institutional Framework ...... 15

3.1 National laws and policies...... 16

3.1.1 The Native Terrestrial Biodiversity and National Parks Act 2015 ...... 16

3.1.2 The National Forest Policy ...... 17

3.2 National Development Strategy...... 17

3.3 Local Planning Frameworks ...... 19

3.3.1 The Moka Flacq District Council Outline Planning Scheme ...... 19

3.3.2 The Pamplemousses/Rivière du Rempart District Council Outline Planning Scheme ...... 22

3.4 Institutional Framework...... 22

3.4.1 The Forestry Service ...... 22

3.4.2 The National Parks and Conservation Service ...... 22

PART TWO ...... 24

4 Vision, mission and strategic objectives ...... 24

4.1 Values ...... 24

4.2 Vision Statement ...... 25

4.3 Mission Statements ...... 25

4.4 Strategic objectives ...... 26

4.4.1 Ecological strategic objectives ...... 26

4.4.2 Community strategic objectives ...... 26

4.4.3 Operational strategic objectives ...... 26

4.4.4 Visitor and tourism strategic objectives ...... 27

4.4.5 Marketing and awareness strategic objectives ...... 27

4.4.6 Historical and cultural strategic objectives ...... 27

4.4.7 Education and research strategic objectives ...... 27

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4.4.8 Financial management and sustainability objectives ...... 27

4.4.9 Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning & Intervention (MELI)...... 27

PART THREE ...... 28

5. Management issues and responses ...... 28

5.1 Ecological management issues ...... 28

5.2 Operational issues ...... 29

5.3 Community issues ...... 29

5.4 Visitor and tourism issues ...... 29

5.5 Marketing and awareness ...... 29

5.6 Historical and cultural issues ...... 30

5.7 Education and research ...... 30

6. Management responses ...... 31

6.1 Ecological and conservation programme ...... 31

6.1.1 Vegetation management ...... 31

6.1.1.1 Guiding principles ...... 31

6.1.1.2 Threats ...... 31

6.1.2 Fauna management ...... 32

6.1.2.1 Guiding principles ...... 32

6.1.2.2 Threats ...... 32

6.1.3 Wetland management ...... 33

6.1.3.1 Guiding principles ...... 33

6.1.3.2 Threats ...... 33

6.1.4 Buffer zone management and protected areas expansion ...... 33

6.1.4.1 Guiding principles ...... 34

6.1.4.2 Threats ...... 34

6.2 Community and stakeholder programme ...... 34

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6.2.1 Stakeholder engagement ...... 34

6.2.1.1 Guiding principles ...... 35

6.2.1.2 Threats ...... 35

6.2.2 Resource utilisation ...... 35

6.2.2.1 Guiding principles ...... 35

6.2.2.2 Threats ...... 36

6.3 Operational programme ...... 36

6.3.1 Legal compliance ...... 36

6.3.1.1 Guiding principles ...... 36

6.3.1.2 Threats ...... 36

6.3.2 Financial and human resources ...... 37

6.3.2.1 Guiding principles ...... 37

6.3.2.2 Threats ...... 37

6.4 Tourism programme ...... 37

6.4.1 Guiding principles ...... 37

6.4.2 Concept tourism development plan ...... 38

6.5 Environmental management programme ...... 39

6.5.1 Environmental ethic ...... 39

6.5.2 Objectives of integrated environmental management ...... 40

6.5.3 Environmental impact assessments ...... 40

6.5.4 Detailed site specific environmental management plans ...... 43

6.5.5 Waste management ...... 43

6.6 Research programme ...... 44

6.6.1 Guiding principles ...... 44

6.6.2 Knowledge management and information systems ...... 45

6.7 Cultural resources management programme ...... 46

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6.7.1 Guiding principles ...... 46

6.7.2 Priorities for management of cultural resources ...... 46

6.8 Financial management and sustainability ...... 47

6.8.1 Budgeting process ...... 47

6.8.2 Financial accounting ...... 48

6.8.3 Auditing ...... 49

7 Zoning guidelines ...... 49

7.1 Purpose of zoning ...... 49

7.2 Zoning categories ...... 50

7.3 Special protection overlays ...... 52

7.4 Moderate use zone ...... 52

7.5 Park development zone ...... 53

7.6 Buffer zone ...... 53

7.7 Park expansion ...... 54

PART FOUR ...... 56

8. Administration ...... 56

8.1 Park management structure ...... 56

8.1.1 Staffing ...... 56

8.1.2 Human resources management ...... 59

8.1.3 Staff training and capacity building ...... 60

8.2 Co-management structures ...... 61

8.2.1 Other co-management arrangements ...... 61

PART FIVE ...... 64

9. Action Plan ...... 64

10. Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Intervention ...... 71

11. Operational plan ...... 71

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12. Glossary ...... 72

13. Bibliography ...... 74

Appendix 1: Flora in Bras d’Eau National Park ...... 76

Appendix 2: Vertebrates in Bras d’Eau National Park...... 82

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Features and Structures within the Bras d’Eau National Park ...... 14 Table 2: The proposed responsibilities of Institutes and Ministries for Bras d’Eau National Park ...... 61 Table 3: Actions categories and description for management ...... 64 LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Document map for the BENP Management Plan ...... xviii Figure 2: Image of the lime kiln that is just outside the park’s boundary and the old railway line in the park ...... 4 Figure 3: Tecoma (Tabebuia pallida) and Mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni) found in Bras d’Eau ...... 9 Figure 4: French well and an Old Sugar Mill near the Bras d’Eau Visitor Center ...... 12 Figure 5: Illustrations of some of the attractions to Bras d’Eau National Park – a resting place in the forest, and the ruins of an old sugar mill ...... 13 Figure 6: An illustration of some of the infrastructure found in Bras d’Eau National Park ...... 15 Figure 7: A group of school children visiting Bras d’Eau National Park ...... 30 Figure 8: Process for assessing, controlling and monitoring environmental impacts ...... 42 Figure 9: Current organisational chart of the NPCS including the Bras d’Eau National Park Management Structure ...... 58 Figure 10: Proposed organisational structure to enable implementation of Management plan ...... 59 LIST of MAPS

Map 1: Location of Bras d’Eau National Park ...... 5 Map 2: Bras d’Eau National Park and surrounding areas ...... 21 Map 3: Bras d’Eau National Park Management Zones ...... 51

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LIST OF ACRONYMS

AEWA African Eurasian Waterbird Agreement AGTF Aapravasi Ghat Trust Fund AOPs Annual Operating Plans BENP Bras d’Eau National Park BENP MP Bras d’Eau National Park Management Plan CBD Convention on Biological Diversity CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora CMS Convention on Migratory Species CSR Corporate Social Responsibility FS Forestry Services ESAs Environmentally Sensitive Areas GEF Global Environment Facility GDP Gross Domestic Product IUCN International Union for the Conservation of Nature LMHTF Le Morne Heritage Trust Fund MELI Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Intervention MHL Ministry of Housing and Lands MoAC Ministry of Arts and Culture MoAIFS Ministry of Agro Industry and Food Security MoEPU Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities MSSNSESD Ministry of Social Security, National Solidarity, Environment and Sustainable Development MoFED Ministry of Finance and Economic Development MoLGOI Ministry of Local Government and Outer Islands MoOEMRFS Ministry of Ocean Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping MoT Ministry of Tourism MP Management Plan MWF Mauritian Wildlife Foundation NGO Non-Governmental Organisation NHF National Heritage Fund NPCS National Parks and Conservation Service OPS Outline Planning Scheme PAN Protected Area Network SMART Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely SP Strategic Policy SWOT Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation UoM University of Mauritius WWF World Wildlife Fund

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About the Bras d’Eau National Park Management Plan

What is the Management Plan? The Bras d’Eau National Park Management Plan (BENP MP) is a management tool that presents an approach, values, principles, objectives and actions aimed at the protection and sustainable use of the National Park. It also describes the management machinery that will be responsible for the management of the park.

The management plan will be reviewed every five years. An operational plan will be drawn up on an annual basis and its performance will be evaluated using a comprehensive Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Intervention (MELI) system. The implementation of the entire plan will be evaluated at the end of the five-year period.

The BENP MP is anchored in the Vision and Missions of the Bras d’Eau National Park. The Vision and Missions lead to a set of Strategic Objectives that have been worked out in working sessions and were thoroughly discussed with stakeholders in a range of meetings. From these Strategic Objectives and the results of extensive SWOT analyses, the management issues and responses have been constructed. The latter are presented in a series of action categories or programmes, each one with its own specific set of actions.

As the primary management document, the plan presents the background to the Bras d’Eau National Park; it then describes the park and its key heritage attributes that must be conserved, examines the policy and legal frameworks that enable effective management and conservation, discusses the governance frameworks for implementation, and throughout contains information useful for the management of the park. Required actions are noted throughout the plan, and to make it easy to find them, they summarised in an Action Plan that can be prioritised and easily converted into an annual operational plan.

Figure 1 shows how the Vision and Missions lead to the Strategic Objections. It shows how the Vision and Missions are informed by international best practices and Mauritian conservation imperatives, as well as input from stakeholders and the results of working sessions. The Strategic Objectives, further informed by SWOT analyses, readily lead to the action categories or programmes, which make up the Action Plan.

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Figure 1: Document map for the BENP Management Plan

How the BENP Management Plan was developed The BENP MP was strongly informed by a series of SWOT analyses and available literature on its context and biodiversity, as well as over 210 targeted interviews with community members of Roche Noire, Poste de Flacq and Bras d’Eau and many more informal interactions. Consultations with numerous stakeholders contributed to the management plan. First and foremost, officials of the National Parks and Conservation Service (NPCS) contributed greatly to the management plan, as well as the Forestry Services and officials of the Ministry of Housing and Lands, the Ministry of Local Government and Outer Islands, the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Environment, Sustainable Development, Disaster and Beach Management and Aapravasi Ghat. The following parties gave valuable input that is reflected in the plan: Mauritius Radio Telescope, Roches Noire Village Council, Flacq District Council, Pamplemousses /Rivière du Rempart District Council, National Coast Guard, National Heritage Fund, University of Mauritius, Constance Group, Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, Jalsa Beach Hotel and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Open community meetings in Roches Noire Village and Flacq gave further valuable input.

Organisation of the plan The Bras d’Eau National Park Management Plan 2018 – 2022 has been divided into eleven sections. Section 1 provides the context of Bras d’Eau National Park in Mauritius; Section 2 is a description of the characteristics of the Bras d’Eau National Park; Section 3 outlines the policy and legal framework; Section 4 presents the Vision , Mission Statements and Strategic Objectives; Section 5 is a description of the management issues; Section 6 outlines the management responses; Section 7 are the zoning guidelines; Section 8 outlines the administrative structure; Section 9 presents the Action Plan; Section 10 describes the Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Intervention while Section 11 gives an indication of the composition of the Operational Plan.

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1. Bras d’Eau National Park (BENP) was proclaimed as a national park on 25th of October 2011 under the Wildlife and National Parks Act No.13 of 1993. Prior to that, the land that makes up Bras d’Eau National Park was managed as two reserves, Bras d’Eau Reserve and Mare Sarcelle Reserve. The main motivation for this proclamation was because the site supports a viable population of the Mauritius Paradise Fly Catcher – an endemic bird of Mauritius that is listed on the IUCN list as Least Concern. In addition, Mare Sarcelle supports an important population of mangroves and provides habitat to migratory birds. The park also has forests and some of the last remnants of the coastal lowland dry dwarf forest occur in and around the park.

2. Bras d’Eau National Park holds significant natural, historical and cultural heritage value to all Mauritians. The park is one of the two mainland national parks in Mauritius and is situated in the north-eastern part of the Island. It covers approximately 497.2 hectares, partly Pas Geometriques1 and partly State Land. One of the main features in Bras d’Eau National Park is Mare Sarcelle – a wetland found north of the Bras d’Eau National Park. Bras d’Eau is largely a man-made forest with well demarcated planted plots and forest tracks. More than 66% of the plants found are exotic species, 18% are native species while the remaining 16% is made up of endemic species. Two endemic birds and one endemic mammal and reptile are also found in the park and surrounding areas.

3. BENP is an iconic place that showcases the history of Mauritius. The park is rich in archaeology that dates over both the French and British colonial periods, and into the post-colonial era. Some of the structures were developed for indentured labourers, and industrial archaeology also included a railroad and sugar mill, remnants of orchards of various ages, and stone roads where the marks of wagons carrying wood and other products can be seen. Bras d’Eau provides insight into human settlement in the east of the Island, which intensified in the mid-18th century when fortifications nearby Poste Lafayette were established in 1753 against British invasion. The cultural and human dimensions in Bras d’Eau are inextricably linked and present Mauritius with a rich opportunity to display both its natural and cultural heritage, and the combination thereof.

4. The purpose of the management plan is to guide the implementation and management of BENP. At the same time, it describes an approach to the management of Bras d’Eau National Park that will retain and strengthen the balance between conserving the park while making it accessible and unlocking its full value and relevance in accordance with the park Mission and Vision Statements. The management plan is prepared in line with the principles and requirements stated in the Native Terrestrial Biodiversity and National Parks Act of 2015. The plan also takes into account the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Protected Area Categories

1 Pas Geometriques refer to the reserved land along the sea coast with a breath from the seashore line that is reached by the high water at spring tide of not less than 81 metres and 21 centimetres. ~ xix ~

which include national parks. Although Bras d’Eau National Park currently does not have any international status, there is potential to list Mare Sarcelle as a Ramsar Site due to its biodiversity and conservation importance.

5. The Mauritian legislation make provision for the conservation and sustainable use of the BENP. This includes the Native Terrestrial Biodiversity and National Parks Act of 2015 and the National Forest Policy which makes provision for the conservation, protection and development of endemic species through sustainable management of forests. The National Development Strategy makes provision for broader development frameworks and provides strategic guidance and sustainable development opportunities around Bras d’Eau National Park. In addition, the local planning frameworks such as the Outline Planning Schemes at district level provide guidance for development in the areas.

6. The management plan aims to place Bras d’Eau National Park firmly on a sustainable trajectory by offering a set of tools and a series of actions embodied in the Action Plan. The development of the plan was informed by a SWOT analyses and workshops and is firmly rooted in the Vision and Mission through a set of Strategic Objectives (see Figure 1). It is also informed by the input of a variety of stakeholders that gave their input through a series of interviews and working sessions in Bras d’Eau National Park. The Action Plan is concise and easily updatable and draws all the specific actions, tasks and projects into a format that indicates role players, outcomes, timelines, etc. The plan provides for continuing input and stakeholder involvement and aims to set the pace for exemplary collaborative management with ample opportunity for all parties to participate.

7. There are seven action categories that are further elaborated upon in the main text of the management plan. They include:

7.1 Ecological Management which relates to ecological management, restoration and the maintenance of ecological function and integrity; 7.2 Operational Management which relates to the day-to-day management aspects of the national park 7.3 Community Management which relates to the need to provide opportunities and benefits to communities and the broader public surrounding the national park and for the community members to be able to make inputs into the national park through clear lines of communication; 7.4 Visitor and Tourism Management which relates to the tourism market and visitor activities that can be developed in the national park, in an effort to provide a wide range of high quality visitor experiences and achieve a level of cost-recovery in the operation and management of the national park; 7.5 Marketing and Awareness Management which relates to the visitor and tourism category, to the need to create awareness about the national park and what it has to offer;

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7.6 Historical and Cultural Management which relates to the archaeological, cultural and historical importance of the national park; 7.7 Education and Research which relates to the potential of the national park for the promotion of education and research.

8. A participatory and adaptive system of Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Intervention (MELI) will underpin collaborative and adaptive management, and will allow all stakeholders to be part of a dynamic and transparent process. Management issues and responses are reflected in action categories, and the implementation of actions related to them will be monitored in a manner that encourages mutual learning. Each year, the park management will make an annual plan of operations based on the activities in each action category, taking into account the activities that need to be prioritised for the year and available resources. This will help ensure that the park is well managed and is well resourced to reach its full potential.

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PART ONE

1 Introduction

The Mascarene Archipelago, of which the Island of Mauritius forms a part, by virtue of its position, age and isolation has evolved a distinctive flora and fauna, characterised by high levels of endemism (WWF and IUCN, 1994; Mauremootoo and Towner-Mauremootoo, 2002; Adler, 2004). It is viewed as a distinct eco-region of the highest conservation importance. This high level of endemism has resulted in the Islands being identified as a Centre of Plant Diversity by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the inclusion of the Mascarenes in the Madagascar and Indian Ocean islands biodiversity hotspots (Myers et al., 2000). Mauritius only has about two percent of its native forest remaining and what remains is in many instances degraded or in the process of degrading. All remaining endemic animal and plant species are threatened to some extent and no contiguous areas of native forest are left.

The very high levels of habitat loss that have occurred in Mauritius have led to significant changes in the ecological functioning and provision of ecosystem goods and services. Natural systems become inherently resilient, capable of resisting natural perturbations such as extreme weather events. However, when pressures on ecological systems rises above a certain threshold, they tend to lose their integrity and ecological functioning which may result in potentially disastrous consequences. Most of Mauritius’ protected areas, including Bras d’Eau National Park, are largely covered by invasive species and efforts are being made to restore the remnant natural capital and move towards a more sustainable society.

1.1 The Protected Area Network

The Protected Area Network (PAN) within Mauritius consists of two mainland national parks, Black River Gorges and Bras d’Eau National Parks, several small nature reserves and islet reserves, and Mountain and River Reserves. Currently, the PAN is not representative of all habitat types in Mauritius and it does not adequately protect all species and/or the critical ecological functions required to maintain the ecological integrity of Mauritius. In response, the UNDP/GEF Funded PAN Project was launched, which seeks to restore critical areas of biodiversity significance and expand the PAN to ensure that ecological processes such as water provision are secured. The restoration and management of Bras d’Eau National Park is an integral aspect of the PAN Project.

1.2 History of Bras d’Eau National Park

The natural habitat and ecology of Bras d’Eau National Park has been influenced by the natural and human history of the Island of Mauritius. Mauritius was formed eight million years ago, through volcanic activity. Plants and animals reached the Island from the surrounding land masses through flying, swimming and/or were transported by air, wind and ocean currents. Isolated from their mainland relatives, the species that had colonised the island evolved in response to their new environment. As a result, a number of endemic species arose and adapted to the conditions in Mauritius prior to the arrival of humans. With the arrival of man, a number of impacts arose, including the extirpation of species through hunting and harvesting, extensive clearing of natural habitat and the introduction of animals and plants which subsequently became invasive.

Bras d’Eau National Park has been highly impacted by historical anthropogenic factors, over several centuries. The park is rich in ruins that date from various time periods, testifying to intense and sustained human activity. There is also a radio telescope and a number of roads and other developments that have also impacted the park. Furthermore, the park’s habitat has been considerably degraded as a result of invasive alien plant and animal species. Consequently, much of the park has been transformed and most of the remaining natural habitat is degraded. Parts of the park have been cleared and planted for forestry and orchards whilst other areas have been subject to various forms of development.

1.3 Protected Area Classification and International Status

Bras d’Eau National Park falls into the IUCN Protected Area Category II (IUCN, 2009), which includes national parks. Category II areas are defined as “large natural or near natural areas set aside to protect large-scale ecological processes, along with the complement of species and ecosystems characteristic of the area, which also provide a foundation for environmentally and culturally compatible spiritual, scientific, educational, recreational and visitor opportunities”. The primary objective of such protected areas is “to protect natural biodiversity along with its underlying ecological structure and supporting environmental processes, and to promote education and recreation”.

Although Bras d’Eau National Park currently does not have any international status, Mare Sarcelle has the potential to qualify as a “Wetland of International Importance” in terms of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as a Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar Convention). This highlights the biodiversity and conservation importance of Mare Sarcelle, which is of international importance, making it a strong candidate for listing as a Ramsar Site.

2 The Bras d’Eau National Park

Bras d’Eau National Park is the second mainland national park in Mauritius and is situated in the north-eastern part of the Island, in the district of Flacq (Map 1). It covers an area of 497.2 hectares comprising State Land Bras d’Eau and part of Pas Géométriques Bras d’Eau (393.69ha) and part of the Reserve of Poste Lafayette Pas Géometriques, commonly known as Mare Sarcelle (91.01ha). Bras d’Eau is largely a man-made forest with well demarcated planted plots and forest tracks while Mare Sarcelle is unplanted and characterised by rocky terrain.

In response to the ecological and biodiversity challenges that Bras d’Eau National Park faces, associated with a long history of human impact and habitat transformation, the biodiversity conservation focus within the national park is primarily on ecological restoration, in order to increase the extent of native and endemic habitat, and the protection of native species that remain within the park.

Figure 2: Image of the lime kiln that is just outside the park’s boundary and the old railway line in the park

Map 1: Location of Bras d’Eau National Park

2.1 The biophysical environment

Bras d’Eau National Park’s values, in particular those that underpin the functioning of its ecosystems and the protection of its rare and threatened species, will be given the highest degree of protection to ensure the persistence of these systems.

Like many other parts of Mauritius, the biodiversity within Bras d’Eau National Park has been severely impacted by historical human activities. As a result the original natural biodiversity has been dramatically altered giving rise to completely different suites of species, alien to the natural environment in Mauritius. Given the extent of habitat degradation and loss in Mauritius, it is incumbent on the National Parks and Conservation Service to protect the biodiversity that remains and to implement an extensive programme of ecological restoration in an effort to increase the levels of native biodiversity and associated ecological functioning, as far as possible.

2.1.1 Climate

Mauritius is located just south of the Tropic of Capricorn and has a mild, maritime climate, which is largely dominated by the south-east trade winds and is mostly free of continental influences. Winds tend to be stronger and more persistent in winter (May to September) than in summer when they are generally light and erratic. The topography of the Island is such that there is variety of climatic conditions within the relatively small area of the Island.

The annual variation in mean temperature is approximately 5.5oC and February is the warmest month and August the coolest. Approximately two-thirds of the annual total rainfall occurs in the summer months between November and April with annual totals on the east coast, where Bras d’Eau National Park is located of around 1,600mm. This contrasts with 4,000mm that occurs on the plateau at Black River Gorges National Park and less than 1,000mm that occurs on the west coast.

2.1.2 Geology, landforms and soils

The rocks of Mauritius are volcanic and are of two distinct periods of eruption – the Old and Young Volcanic Series, which were separated by a long period of erosion and subsidence. Bras d’Eau National Park has mainly been formed through the action of the Young Volcanic Series, in which the plains and depressions between the encircling mountains, formed during the Old Volcanic Series, were flooded by a great thickness of lava, which levelled the landscape between the peaks and buried the bases of the old mountains, which now rise up out of the much younger rock. The geology of Bras d’Eau National Park is characterised by basalt, which is weathered on the surface to stony soil (Safford, 2000).

2.1.3 Geohydrology

The geology of the Bras d’Eau area is characterized by basalt rock that contains some sinkholes, and tunnels below the surface, of which little is known in terms of precise locality. Mare Sarcelle is the largest of a complex wetlands system with a multitude of ponds and marshes of varied salinity. The peculiar hydrology coming from the network of tunnels accounts for the presence of springs along the coast and wide marshes and shallow depressions such as Mare Sarcelle.

2.1.4 Hydrology

Bras d’Eau National Park falls within a relatively high rainfall area on account of being located along the east (windward) coast. The interconnectedness of water bodies is easily evidenced in the tidal cycle, and also makes the system vulnerable to pollution, including from fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides that would spread easily though the groundwater system. Seawater intrusion could be a danger when excessive fresh water is removed from aquifers.

2.1.5 Flora

Within Mauritius, 102 native plant species are known with less than 50 individuals in the wild, making the Island’s flora one of the most endangered in the world (Mauremootoo and Towner- Mauremootoo, 2002). Within Bras d’Eau National Park most of the original native plants have been lost with a few scattered specimens remaining. However, Bras d’Eau is particularly important in Mauritius as most of the remaining native forest on the island is located in high lying or mountainous areas whereas Bras d’Eau represents an area of lowland habitat that incorporates coastal elements.

Other than historic loss of natural habitat through clearing and transformation, the biggest challenge facing the remaining natural habitat in the park is the impact of invasive alien plants and animals including grazing by livestock. An estimated 40 introduced mammal, reptile and bird species are naturalised in Mauritius, whilst 18 plant species have been identified as particularly aggressive invaders (Mauremootoo and Towner-Mauremootoo, 2002).

Documented impacts upon flora of invasive animals include: • Browsing of native seedlings and the spread of alien seed by Javanese deer (Cervus timorensis), introduced to Mauritius in 1639. • Disturbance of soil and spread of alien seed by feral pigs (Sus scrofa), introduced in 1603. • Damage to native fruits by crab-eating macaques (Macaca fascicularis), introduced in the early seventeenth century. • Predation of seeds by rats (Rattus rattus and Rattus norvegicus), possibly introduced prior to the first settlement (Mauremootoo and Towner-Mauremootoo, 2002).

Bras d’Eau is highly invaded by a diverse suite of invasive alien plant species, as described below. Some 127 species of flowering plant, representing 49 families, have been recorded in Bras d’Eau National Park. More than 66% of those are introduced species, 18% are native species while the remaining 16% is made up of endemics species (Appendix 1).

Most of Bras d’Eau National Park’s vegetation is different from that found in the Poste Lafayette area. The State Land Bras d’Eau portions are characterised by plantation forests where Mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni), Morton Bay pine (Araucaria cunninghamii), Tecoma (Tabebuia pallida) and Forest red gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis) have been extensively planted. Kauri from Queensland (Agathis robusta) is also planted but to lesser extent in association with Araucaria cunninghamii. Other woody exotics planted on a small scale are Teak (Tectona grandis), Bois noir blanc (Albizia procera), Bois blanc (Vitex glabrata) planted along the tracks, Sang dragon (Pterocarpus indicus) which is common around the Visitors Centre, Rain tree (Albizia saman), Bois noir (Albizia lebbeck) and Pink Tecoma (Tabebuia rosea) have been recorded as isolated individuals. A stand of Cook pine (Araucaria columnaris) has been planted in the picnic area near the Visitors Centre while ornamental plants like the Palmier de Manille (Veitchia merrillii), has been planted near the office. Indian laburnum (Cassia fistula), Lauriers ā fleurs jaunes (Thevetia peruviana), the Goyavier royale (Lagerstroemia speciosa) and Allamanda (Allamanda cathartica) have been planted along tracks, while the Flamboyant (Delonix regia) is growing wild and is common.

Fruit trees like Mango trees (Mangifera indica) have been planted quite extensively and have become naturalised while Litchis (Litchi chinensis) have been planted on a small scale. Small numbers of Longanier (Euphoria longan), Bread fruit (Artocarpus altilis), Jack fruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) and Avocatier (Persea americana) have also been planted. Jamblon (Syzygium cumini) is widespread and growing wild and there are a few isolated Tamarind trees (Tamarindus indica).

The undergrowth is made up mostly of invasive plant species like Poivrier marron (Schinus terebinthifolius) which dominates the undergrowth in the eucalyptus plantations, Mouroungue marron (Breynia retusa) and the Bois Sandal (Santalum album) which are widespread. Liane cerf (Hiptage benghalensis) forms dense thickets in certain areas, while other species include Acacia (Leucaena leucocephala) and isolated individuals of Cassie de Manille (Pithecellobium dulce), Bread and cheese (Pithecellobium unguis-cati), Privet (Ligustrum robustum), Prune malgache (Flacourtia indica) and the Bois d’oiseau (Litsea glutinosa). Among the non-woody plants Aloe (Furcraea foetida) is the most widespread species. Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata), Piquant tac-tac (Barleria lupulina) and Vanille du Dr. Burke (Cissus quadrangularis) is common. Grasses like the Chiendent (Cynodon dactylon), Herbe polisson (Heteropogon contortus), Herbe fataque (Panicum maximum) and Gros chiendent (Eleusine indica) are mainly present along the tracks and at the edge of the plantation plots.

The plants associated with water are recorded around the “Mares” and are mainly the occasional Raphia (Raphia farinifera), Via (Alocasia macrorrhiza) and the ferns Fougère des mares (Acrostichum aureum) and Nephrolepis biserrata.

With the exception of the natives Bois de pipe (Hilsenbergia petiolaris), a few individuals of Asperge sauvage (Asparagus umbellulatus), isolated specimens of the Affourche ā petites feuilles (Ficus reflexa) and Bois Chandelle (Dracaena reflexa), which are growing wild, all the remaining native plants, the Mauritian endemics and Mascarene endemics are planted individuals along the tracks.

Mare Sarcelle has two distinct vegetation types, a eucalyptus plantation in a relatively sandy area where the PAN project is being implemented and a dwarf vegetation type as most of the plants are growing in crevices on rocky surfaces. All the endemic and native plant species recorded are naturally growing, the endemic Bois ā Poudre (Maytenus pyria) and the native Bois pipe (Hilsenbergia petiolaris) is the most common. Furthermore in the substantial water body in this area, Mare Sarcelle, there are two fern species and the Manglier (Rhizophora mucronata). The native and endemic plant species are under heavy pressure from several aggressive alien species, including Prune malgache (Flacourtia indica), Cassie de Manille (Pithecellobium dulce), Bread and Cheese (Pithecellobium unguis-cati), Sisal (Agave sisalana), Jamblon (Syzygium cumini) and Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus tereticornis).

Figure 3: Tecoma (Tabebuia pallida) and Mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni) found in Bras d’Eau

2.1.6 Fauna

The Bras d’Eau National Park provides a suitable habitat for some land vertebrates and water birds. While most of the land birds are exotics (See Appendix 2) BENP is the only place in Mauritius outside the Black River Gorges National Park where one can see the endemic Mauritius paradise flycatcher (Terpsiphone (bourbonnensis) desolata) in the wild. The presence of the population of Mauritius flycatchers in BENP has been one of the arguments in favour of the proclamation of State Land Bras d’Eau as a national park. The flycatcher population found in BENP has a different gene pool to that found in Black River Gorges National Park. The most numerous and widespread

of the nine endemic bird species, the grey white-eye (Zosterops mauritianus) is also present in the park. The native Mascarene cave swiftlet (Aerodramus (Collocalia) francica), nesting in the Roche Noire caves, is a regular visitor to the park.

Another species of interest which can be found in BENP is the endemic mammal, the Mauritius fruit bat (Pteropus niger). A population of these bats usually roosts in an Araucaria plantation. They do not roost there year-round since bats are known to change roosting sites. With the exception of the Mauritius Tomb Bat (Taphozous mauritiana), the cave bat (Mormopterus acetabulosus) and rats (Rattus rattus and Rattus. norvegicus) and hares (Lepus nigricollis) no other introduced mammal which is detrimental to the vegetation of the park is present. However the lesser Indian mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus) introduced to control rats in sugarcane fields is a potential predator of the eggs and young of the paradise flycatcher.

Another strong argument in favour of the proclamation of Poste Lafayette Pas Géometriques as a national park is the protection of Mare Sarcelle and its ultimate nomination as a Wetland of World Importance (Ramsar) site. Mare Sarcelle provides an ideal habitat and foraging ground for waders and migratory birds. The migratory whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) and the non- migratory striated heron (Butorides striata) are both residents of Mare Sarcelle as they can be sighted throughout the year. Other migratory birds are reported to visit the site during the migratory period which coincides with winter in the northern hemisphere, that is from the month of October to April; but no systematic survey of the waders has so far been carried out.

The reptilian group is represented in the park by one endemiclizard, the ornate day gecko Phelsuma ornata and one native lizard, the Bouton’s skink (Cryptoblepharus boutonii) which is restricted to the Poste Lafayette Pas Geometrique and represents one of only two populations remaining on mainland Mauritius. There are at least sixintroduced species: the Agamid lizard (Calotes versicolor) commonly known as the chameleon, stump-toed gecko (Gehyra mutilata), common house gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus), Indopacific gecko (Hemiphyllodactylus typus typus), Indian wolf snake (Lycodon capucinus) commonly known as the couleuvre, and the flowerpot snake (Rhamphotyphlops braminus), although a comprehensive survey has not been conducted. The only amphibian recorded in theregion is the introduced guttural toad (Amietophrynus gutturalis). A comprehensive survey of the invertebrates has yet to be carried out.

2.2 The cultural landscape

A key feature for Bras d’Eau National Park as a national park is that much of the natural domain in the park has been shaped by humans. Bras d’Eau is an outstanding example of a cultural landscape, which as defined by the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO, are places that ‘represent the combined works of nature and man’. The park’s rich cultural heritage appears to date over both the French and British colonial periods, and into the post-colonial era.

Numerous ruins are spread over the park. Some of the structures were developed for indentured labourers mostly coming from India to work on the island's sugar estates. The park is rich in industrial archaeology including a railroad and sugar mill, remnants of orchards of various ages, and stone roads where the marks of wagons carrying wood and other products can be seen. Its richness, obvious to even the untrained eye, was recently supported by an interim archaeological study report2 presented to the NPCS.

Not only will Bras d’Eau bring great insight into human settlement in the east of the Island, which intensified in the mid-18th century when fortifications nearby Post Lafayette were established in 1753 against British invasion, the national park will bring insight into how cultural landscapes (the ‘combined works of nature and man’) evolved. This cultural landscape may also provide insight into the first human settlement for Bras d’Eau National Park. The cultural and human dimensions in Bras d’Eau are inextricably linked and present Mauritius with a rich opportunity to display both its natural and cultural heritage, and the combination thereof.

Several imperatives have emerged in terms of cultural heritage during the drafting of the management plan. These are corroborated and expanded by the results of the Mauritian Archaeology and Cultural Heritage (MACH) project thus far. An interim report3 in which the MACH and Aapravasi Ghat Technical Unit collaborated, states that from a site preservation point of view, the Old Mill is of paramount importance and can serve as an obvious focal point for the remainder of the site. It is already integral to the current, modern, layout of the site, positioned close to the visitors centre and the main entrance to Bras d’Eau. The mill itself requires urgent structural reinforcement, and a detailed survey by a structural engineer. The report states that current developments around the Old Mill are seriously jeopardising this unique structure. The shade house undermines the mill as it is visually damaging to have a structure, which has no heritage or cultural value, almost completely obstructing one facet of the mill. Far more detrimental is that the shade house has been constructed very close to the mill, and a considerable amount of earth has been removed from the base of the mill; indeed, the foundations of the mill are now exposed. With heavy rains for example, the wall of the mill may collapse. The report strongly suggests that action be taken to remove the shade house, reinstate the foundation soils, and reinforce that facet of the mill wall. The report states that ‘the whole site is, in effect, a heritage location, and we should consider it as having very significant potential both for archaeo-historic research, and as importantly, engagement with the public’.

Clearly, further research is very important, as it will further unfold the multi-faceted cultural heritage of Bras d’Eau, which will go hand in hand with the development of the park as a heritage attraction. Further research will continue to inform management actions to be taken.

2 From draft Bras d’Eau Interim Archaeological Report 2014 by K Seetah, from reports prepared by Saša Čavala, Alessandra Cianciosib and Diego Calaona. Submitted to National Parks and Conservation Service (NPCS). 3 Ibid.

The Interim Archaeological Report again re-iterates the site’s potential as a type of ‘multipurpose park’ where people can enjoy cultural as well as natural heritage, one that can provide a far more engaging and dynamic experience that the Belle Mare reconstructed site, bringing further understanding of the whole of Mauritius as a cultural landscape. The report notes that BENP can be one of the defining post-medieval archaeological sites for the entire Indian Ocean.

Figure 4: French well and an Old Sugar Mill near the Bras d’Eau Visitor Center 2.3 Sense of place

The landscape at Bras d’Eau National Park has been shaped by a long history of human influence which has transformed the original natural environment substantially. The large number of trees makes Bras d’Eau a beautiful place that reflects some important aspects of Mauritius’ past from the colonial and post-colonial eras, up to modern developments such as the radio telescope. Due to the planting of substantial fruit orchards, the history of plantation forestry and examples of historical and architectural interest like the old sugar mill, Bras d’Eau has developed a very clear character and identity that is of importance to the visitors to the national park and the stakeholders living around it. Culture and nature go together in Bras d’Eau, and in defining the sense of place, they cannot be separated. Both are equally important, yet it is important to undertake ecological restoration work to recover some of the ecological function and habitat that would originally have existed in the national park. Together with the big trees, the tranquillity and omnipresent human history on the Island, recovery of sections of original vegetation is ultimately integral to the overall sense of place and the ‘essence’ of Bras d’Eau National Park.

Figure 5: Illustrations of some of the attractions to Bras d’Eau National Park – a resting place in the forest, and the ruins of an old sugar mill

2.4 Visitor activities

Currently visitor activities at Bras d’Eau National Park are limited to informal hiking and picnicking activities, predominantly around the Visitors Centre, as there are limited marked trails or other extensive visitor facilities. The Visitors Centre includes some interpretive material about Bras d’Eau National Park and the fauna and flora of Mauritius.

It should be noted that in terms of Section 17(1) of the Native Terrestrial Biodiversity and National Parks Act, licences may be issued by the Director of the National Parks and Conservation Service, on specified terms and conditions, authorising the sale of goods, the provision of services to visitors, or the carrying out of other activities of a commercial nature within the national park. Furthermore, no licence issued pursuant to Section 14 shall allow the holder to exclusively occupy an area within any reserved land, or to erect any building, or to use or remove any resources from the land, unless provision for such a licence is included in the approved management plan applying to that land. The implication of this is that licences may only be issued for activities identified as permissible, in this management plan.

2.5 Infrastructure

In spite of being a new park, the BENP already has the essential infrastructure (see Table 1) to be operational. There is essential infrastructure such as a park office that also functions as an interpretation centre. A wide network of paths exists as a result of its previous uses such as orchards and plantations.

Table 1: Features and Structures within the Bras d’Eau National Park

No Features/Structures Observations Remarks/Suggestions 1. Visitors Centre Comprises of an office, display room, Guest House not yet completed. Conference Room and a self-contained two- bedroom guest house. 2. Old Visitors Centre Converted into a storeroom. All outer Islets Has potential as a guesthouse materials used for quarantine are stored in pending a feasibility study or this facility. simple needs assessment. 3. Nursery Set up in July 2013 and located behind the Old Location to be reviewed. The ruins Sugar Mill. It is being used for propagation of are of high cultural value and native plant species. need urgent attention for restoration. The nursery should be moved to a different location. 4. Ruins – Old Sugar Mill High historical value. Following a site visit at In-depth study to be carried out and Puit Français the request of Conservator of Forests, with consultations with the Technical Team of NHF submitted a report Constance Group. However, dated March 24, 2011, with urgency should be placed in recommendations. stabilising the building. 5. 3 Main Water bodies Trail from forest track leading to Mare Trail to be levelled. Invasive plants – Mare Chevrettes, Chevrettes (MC) and Mare Coq de Bois (MCB) to be removed around water Mare Coq de Bois, is rough. View of both MC and MBC bodies. Regular maintenance Mare Mahogany in obstructed by invasive plants. Impressive needed. Directional sign to be State Land Bras d’Eau workmanship –steps leading to Mare reviewed. and 2 in Poste Mahogany. Lafayette Reserve – Park boundary passes across both Mare Sarcelle water bodies such that part of them falls in private owned land. 6. Lime-kiln Adjacent to boundary of park, opposite Could be acquired and restored campement site, very near trail to Mare for educational purposes. Chevrette. It is relatively in good condition. 7. Diverse Tracks Well-developed and levelled but blocked by Trails to be mapped. Weeds to be overgrown weeds in places. Carts were used removed and artefacts to be in the past as seen by the wear of stone preserved under expert pavement along the track. supervision. 8. Diverse Trails Most are rough. Trails to be upgraded and mapped. 9. Picnic spots They are numerous picnic spots scattered in Picnic Spots need to be the Bras d’Eau National Park. A new picnic maintained and indicated on a site has been set in Araucaria forest next to simple tourist map. the parking area. 10. Camping site Near the office out of public view. Can Restricted use recommended. accommodate up to 10 tents. Used mainly for Youth Award competition. Site provided with water and electricity. 11. Trail The Coq de Bois loop (2.3km) was created by Memorandum of Understanding Jeune Chambre International, sponsored by to be signed by the relevant UNDP/GEF/SGP project. stakeholders. 12. Trail being planned To link Mare Chevrette to Mare Sarcelles (10 Rough terrain and invaded by Kms). mainly Aloe plants.

Further infrastructure extension should take a minimalist approach that ensures that new infrastructure is added on a strictly as-needed basis. The need for new infrastructure should be based on good research and proven in feasibility plans or in plans for tourism development (see Section 6.4 below). For instance, if there is a need for a shelter(s) for bird-watching, such shelters can be erected only when it is absolutely certain where their localities should be (once it is clear where there are flycatcher populations, how close one can get before the birds are disturbed, etc.). Furthermore, existing infrastructure should be carefully examined in terms of expanding or altering their uses, before additional infrastructure is erected to satisfy certain needs.

Figure 6: An illustration of some of the infrastructure found in Bras d’Eau National Park

3 The Legal and Institutional Framework

Bras d’Eau National Park was proclaimed a national park on the 25th of October 2011 under Section 11(1) of the Wildlife and National Parks Act No.13 of 1993 and from that date its management became the responsibility of NPCS. Prior to that the land was proclaimed and managed as two Reserves, Bras d’Eau Reserve and Mare Sarcelle Reserve, under Section 11(1) of the Wildlife and National Parks Act. The Reserves were proclaimed on the 29th of March 2002 and were managed by the Forestry Service. The motivation for proclamation of the lands as Reserves included the following: • The site supports a viable population of Paradise Fly Catcher, an endemic bird of Mauritius, which is Critically Endangered (IUCN, 2012) and there is a need to protect and manage its habitat. • Mare Sarcelle has an important population of mangroves, provides habitat to species of migratory birds and is of important ecological, biological, educational and recreational value.

Prior to being declared as a Reserve, Bras d‘Eau was managed as a state forest for timber production. It is often referred to as having been a ‘community forest’ or a ‘forest set aside for the local communities to use’, as members of the surrounding communities had access to the forest for the collection of firewood and other resources.

3.1 National laws and policies

In response to the Convention on Biological Diversity to which Mauritius is a signatory, the Government of Mauritius has put in place some legal frameworks at a national level for the protection and conservation of biodiversity. Several laws and policies and other legal frameworks respond to this Convention and these are outlined in more detail below.

3.1.1 The Native Terrestrial Biodiversity and National Parks Act 2015

The Native Terrestrial Biodiversity and National Parks Act (NTBNPA) has been passed in 2015 and replaces the Wildlife and National Parks Act of 1993. The overall aim of the NTBNPA is to make further and better provision for the protection, conservation and management of native terrestrial biodiversity in Mauritius. Part three of the NTBNPA defines the roles and responsibilities of the National Parks and Conservation Service.

The new Act makes strides in allowing for the designation of National Parks, Special Reserves, Private Reserves and associated Buffer Zones as well as the registration of protected plant species with the Director of National Parks and Conservation Services, by the owner or occupier of the land. Mauritius being party to international conventions on biodiversity (CBD, IUCN, Ramsar, CITES, AEWA, CMS, etc.), provision in made in the law for the implementation of objectives of the conventions. The NTBNPA also caters for the financial requirements related to conservation through the National Parks Conservation Fund.

In Section 16 of the Act the requirements for management plans for national parks are set out. These include that the Director shall prepare, for submission to the Minister, a management plan for each area of reserved land, together with any adjoining buffer zones. The management plan shall contain information relating to the relevant reserved land or buffer zone, statements of objectives for management and prescriptions for the management of the subject land. The Director is required to advertise and allow public comment on the draft management plan before it may be approved. Once a management plan has been approved by the Minister, it is binding in relation to the management and use of the reserved and related buffer zones.

The powers conferred on officers of the National Parks and Conservation Service (Section 44) enable officers to require that a person committing an offence in reserved land to state their full name and address and to leave the reserved land. In the event that the person does not comply with this, it is deemed that the person has committed an offence.

In summary, the Native Terrestrial Biodiversity and National Parks Act establishes the Mauritius National Parks and Conservation Service as the management authority for national parks, with clear powers to establish, manage and regulate the activities within national parks. Such activities

include the ability to take actions, in terms of the Act, when offences are committed within a national park.

3.1.2 The National Forest Policy

The National Forest Policy for the development of the forest sector in Mauritius was completed in October 2006. It is a statement of the Government’s intentions for the development of the forest sector and is designed to protect and enhance the country’s natural environment, biodiversity and natural heritage, whilst at the same time promoting recreation and tourism. It is also a guide for decision-making.

Approximately 50,000ha of the land surface of Mauritius are under forest cover (approximately 25%). An area of about 20,000ha is owned by the state and approximately 30,000ha are privately- owned, of which 6,450ha are protected as mountain and river reserves. Plantations make up about 13,000ha of forest cover.

Conservation, protection and development of endemic species through sustainable management of forests and the environment are priority objectives of the National Forest Policy to the extent that forests are managed for these objectives more than for the production of timber. About half of all upland catchment areas have been set aside for protective functions and only the removal of damaged and diseased trees is permitted.

3.2 National Development Strategy

The National Development Strategy focuses on those aspects of land use development that are likely to have national or strategic level implications. The purpose of the strategy is to provide the broad development framework within which local level policies that consider more detailed aspects of land use can be used to control and manage development. Its objectives seek to provide strategic guidance and suitable development opportunities, whilst promoting sustainable development that allows for the protection of the best quality agricultural land and of Environmentally Sensitive Areas.

The strategy highlights the importance of sustainable development stating, “As the economy continues to evolve there is an emerging consensus that the conservation of the natural environment in Mauritius, the enhancement of the country’s quality tourism industry, the protection of its unique coastline and lagoons and the conversion of ex-sugar cane lands for new forms of built development are all inextricably linked”. A cornerstone objective of the strategy, in this context, is to focus on development in or adjacent to existing settlements before considering the option of developing in undeveloped areas.

The strategy acknowledges that the quality of the natural environment is an integral component in the continuing success and growth of the tourism industry, as the natural assets, which include the terrestrial components of Mauritius such as the mountains and forests, are its central attraction.

The overall vision for the strategy is “Encouraging economic growth in the conurbation, the countryside and the coast, whilst maintaining and enhancing the quality of the environment and striving for a more sustainable pattern of development”. Related to the vision, one of the key development principles seeks to protect the country’s best agricultural land, its natural resources and biodiversity, its Environmentally Sensitive Areas and its landscape in the countryside and coastal and village communities. The strategy states that significant areas of the coast, the lagoons, the countryside and mountain peaks are recognised to be of strategic importance in terms of nature conservation, landscape character and cultural value.

In terms of Strategic Policy SP15 – Development in the Open Countryside, there should be a general presumption against major new developments, except when they are in the national interests, where land has particular characteristics, including:

• Land identified by the Ministry of Environment which has an environmental sensitivity and/or landscape significance.

In terms of Policy FO1 – Forests, planting schemes in mountain and river reserves, private forest lands and degraded forest lands should be protected and planting schemes enhanced. Furthermore, acquisition of significant private forest lands should be pursued when in the national interest. The strategy acknowledges that wood exploitation from forests has declined and that the non-wood uses of forest, including ecotourism, recreation, deer ranching and wild fruit harvesting, has increased.

In terms of Policy ENV1 – Environmental Management, there is a general presumption against major development other than for educational or environmental management purposes within Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs). At the time that the strategy was developed, ESAs were defined to include state lands, including Black River Gorges National Park, nature reserve, state forest lands, Pas Géométriques, privately-owned mountain reserves, wetlands and habitat for endemic flora and fauna.

In terms of Policy ENV6 – Natural Environment, all formally and newly proclaimed nature reserves, mountain and river reserves which are protected by law, should be clearly demarcated on the ground and their boundaries shown in revised local plans. Development in these areas which would destroy or adversely affect the area’s natural environment should not be permitted.

In summary, the strategy provides the basis and framework for major land management decision in and around Bras d’Eau National Park. These include restrictions on inappropriate developments beyond the boundaries of the national park, in an effort to maintain important ecology and habitat and the natural character of the landscape.

3.3 Local Planning Frameworks

Outline Planning Schemes are prepared in terms of Section 11 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1954. Bras d’Eau National Park falls within the Moka Flacq District Council area, although the Pamplemousses/Rivière du Rempart District Council area to the north may influence the national park, particularly in relation to buffer zone and regional management issues. The functions of Outline Planning Schemes are: • To provide guidance to project promoters, developers and individuals contemplating a development project and the subsequent submission of a development permit application. • To assist Government officers at Ministry and local authority levels when offering advice to developers and when subsequently assessing permit applications. • To provide the spatial development framework for the coordination and implementation of national and local programmes and development projects.

Outline Planning Schemes are the main instrument against which development applications are judged and as such are important in determining the types of development and land-uses that can be implemented in the areas surrounding Bras d’Eau National Park.

3.3.1 The Moka Flacq District Council Outline Planning Scheme

The Moka Flacq District Council Area Outline Planning Scheme was prepared in 2006 before Bras d’Eau National Park was proclaimed in 2011. As such it does not include the complete boundary of the national park within its strategies or maps, although it does recognise some of the state land that makes up Bras d’Eau National Park. The planning scheme includes a number of policies and proposals for land-use management, which restrict inappropriate land-uses in Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs), water resources, wetlands and within nature reserves. The planning scheme also makes provision for the conservation of Scenic Landscape Areas, in which the natural or open character of Scenic Landscape Areas, identified in the Development Management Map, should be protected. Agriculture and forestry-related activities should be acceptable in these areas. The potential international airport, proposed to the north of Bras d’Eau National Park, and its surrounding areas are subject to building controls and restrictions, which include both the airport operations area and defined safeguarding areas. Growth Zones, which are areas where sites for major new developments should be first directed, are also relevant to Bras d’Eau National Park.

Around Bras d’Eau National Park there are areas in the Outline Planning Scheme (OPS) that are delineated as settlement boundaries, areas that are identified as Scenic Landscape Areas, the proposed Airport Safeguarding Area and areas along the beach road towards Post Lafayette that are identified as Growth Zones. Some of the land that makes up the national park is identified as State Forest Land but the full extent of the national park and its boundaries are not captured in the Outline Planning Scheme.

Map 2: Bras d’Eau National Park and surrounding areas

3.3.2 The Pamplemousses/Rivière du Rempart District Council Outline Planning Scheme

The Pamplemousses/Rivière du Rempart District Council Outline Planning Scheme was also prepared in 2006 before Bras d’Eau National Park was proclaimed in 2011 and as such does not consider the national park. It includes part of the airport operational area and noise control zone to the north of Bras d’Eau National Park as well as Growth Zones centred on Roches Noire.

3.4 Institutional Framework

There are two divisions, the NPCS and FS under the aegis of the Ministry of Agro Industry and Food Security. The FS was involved in Bras d’Eau before it was declared a national park. However, since the declaration of Bras d’Eau as a national park, only the NPCS has the management responsibility for the park.

3.4.1 The Forestry Service

The Forestry Service (FS) is headed by a Conservator of Forests, who is assisted by a Deputy Conservator of Forests and two Assistant Conservators of Forests, three Divisional Forest Officers, eight Forest Chief Conservation and Enforcement Officers (CFCEO), 10 Principal Forest Conservation and Enforcement Officers, 38 Senior Forest Conservation and Enforcement Officers (SFCEO) and 97 Forest Conservation and Enforcement Officers. The Survey Unit of the Forestry Service has one Senior Surveyor, one Survey and Mapping Assistant, one Draughtsman, one Head Poler, two Polers and six Chainmen. The Biodiversity Unit, apart from biodiversity conservation, deals also with ecotourism and landscaping.

Territorially, there are two forestry division, north and south, each in the charge of a Divisional Forest Officer. Each Division has two CFCEO and six Sections, making a total of four Forest Ranges and 24 Forest Sections. CFCEOs are responsible for the four Ranges and SFCEO are in charge of the different Sections. Six forest nurseries, four in the north and two in the south produce about 300,000 planting stock annually. The Forest Tree Seed Centre at Abercrombie Nursery propagates highly endangered native species for conservation purposes and decorative plants.

3.4.2 The National Parks and Conservation Service

The Mauritius National Parks and Conservation Service (NPCS) was established in May 1994 under the Wildlife and National Parks Act of 1993 (thereafter replaced by the Native Terrestrial Biodiversity and National Parks Act of 2015). The NPCS is responsible for the management of the native terrestrial biodiversity of Mauritius and its associated ecosystems. The stated responsibilities of the Service include: • Management of Black River Gorges and Bras d’Eau National Parks.

• Control of Invasive Alien Species. • Active management of flora and fauna. • Monitoring and management of offshore islets and Islets National Parks. • Management of Rivulet Terre Rouge Estuary Bird Sanctuary (Ramsar Site) and other wetlands proclaimed under the Wildlife and National Parks Act 1993 and Native Terrestrial Biodiversity and National Parks Act of 2015. • Public awareness and education. • Designation of Private Reserves for conservation purposes; • Implementation of international treaties, e.g. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Wetland (Ramsar) Convention, Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and African Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA).

The responsibilities and mandate of the National Parks and Conservation Service, as the management authority of Bras d’Eau National Park, are thus clearly set out through the Native Terrestrial Biodiversity and National Parks Act of 2015.

The NPCS is headed by a Director. His staff establishment is composed of a Deputy Director, a Senior Scientific Officer, Scientific Officers, Technical Officers/ Senior Technical Officers, a Senior Park Ranger, Park Rangers, Assistant Park Rangers and other support staff at headquarters and in the field (see section 8 of this management plan). The NPCS has a native plant propagation centre, a captive breeding centre, three field research stations and other field facilities. Other ministries such as the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development also have important mandates in terms of what can or cannot happen in and around Bras d’Eau National Park, and such responsibilities are outlined in their particular acts including the provision made for conducting Environmental Impact Assessments.

PART TWO

4 Vision, mission and strategic objectives

4.1 Values

The values of a place are those remarkable attributes that exemplify it, which lead to it being identified as a priority for conservation and to be proclaimed as a national park. The values are important in planning and management, as they are the aspects of the place that must be protected. The values of Bras d’Eau National Park include:

Natural values ▪ Bras d’Eau National Park is a place of beauty and tranquillity that offers people the opportunity to appreciate nature. ▪ Bras d’Eau National Park engenders respect for nature, the importance of remnant natural habitat and the need to restore and recreate the natural ecology within the region. ▪ Bras d’Eau National Park provides remnant habitat to threatened species of animals and plants. ▪ Important ecological functions occur within Bras d’Eau National Park that provide ecosystem goods and services to the region. ▪ Bras d’Eau National Park provides a sense of tranquillity, representing the region and its surrounding areas. Historical and Cultural ▪ The archaeological artefacts contained within Bras d’Eau values National Park provide insights into the history and cultural development of Mauritius. ▪ Bras d’Eau National Park provides insights into the environmental and cultural history of Mauritius, showing multiple land uses, culminating in the restoration of important natural habitat. Community values ▪ Bras d’Eau National Park is a valuable resource for the communities living around the national park, with well- established links to the local community. ▪ Bras d’Eau National Park provides opportunities to the local community, Mauritian people and foreign visitors for leisure and recreational activities. Economic values ▪ Bras d’Eau National Park provides opportunities for economic development and employment, associated with the tourism industry in the region. ▪ Bras d’Eau National Park provides opportunities for broad economic development and sustainable tourism growth in Mauritius.

Education and ▪ Bras d’Eau National Park has potential for use by local people and Research values visitors to develop their knowledge and understanding of Mauritius, its natural environment, history and culture. ▪ Bras d’Eau National Park is a centre for ecological restoration that provides opportunities for scientific study and research.

4.2 Vision Statement

Cognisant of the values of Bras d’Eau National Park, and through a series of working sessions, the Vision for Bras d’Eau was developed. The management plan is very much designed as a tool to aid the pursuit of the vision. The Vision serves as a guiding light and framework for the management and development of the park. It reads as follows:

4.3 Mission Statements

The Mission Statements effectively serve as a road map on how to pursue the Vision. They outline broad imperatives that are further broken down into discreet action categories. While the Vision outlines where Bras d’ Eau National Park wants to be in the future, one can say that the Mission Statements describe what the Park needs to do now, in order to give it the best chance to attain that Vision at some point in the future.

1. To develop Bras d’Eau National Park as an example of an efficiently run national park that adheres to the highest international norms and standards in the pursuit of its full potential.

4. To explore, create and implement opportunities for local economic development by involving communities in all park activities, including infrastructure development and small business creation.

5. To make the national park an exceptional example of a place of reflection and a spiritual haven in a fast-developing Mauritius.

6. To make the national park an exemplary national asset based on its natural and cultural values for the people of Mauritius now and into the future.

The Vision and Mission Statements encapsulate what management of Bras d’Eau National Park aspires to; where it wants to go, and what the NPCS and in particular the park management is doing about this. The Vision and Mission Statements should be suitably displayed together near the entrance of the interpretation centre.

4.4 Strategic objectives

In an effort to pursue the Vision and Mission Statements for Bras d’Eau National Park, a set of strategic objectives readily emerge. The following strategic objectives provide the basis for actionable interventions to be developed for the management of the national park:

4.4.1 Ecological strategic objectives

1. Protect the ecological integrity, remnant habitat and native species of Bras d’Eau National Park through active management of invasive alien fauna and flora; 2. Implement a programme of active ecological re-creation, restoration and rehabilitation in an effort to create a representative example of a Mauritian lowland ecosystem; 3. Explore and implement opportunities to re-introduce rare and threatened species into Bras d’Eau National Park; 4. Undertake protected area expansion and buffer zone management to capture critical ecological features within the national park and address pressures and edge effects.

4.4.2 Community strategic objectives

1. Enable controlled, sustainable resource harvesting within Bras d’Eau National Park within appropriately zoned areas; 2. Enable neighbours, local communities and other stakeholders to make inputs into and derive socio-economic benefits from Bras d’Eau National Park.

4.4.3 Operational strategic objectives

1. Ensure controlled access and control of activities of visitors entering and using the national park; 2. Ensure compliance with legislation pertaining to the protection, development and management of Bras d’Eau National Park;

3. Ensure optimal use of park by visitors by upgrading the trails, signage and places of interest within the park; 4. Ensure that there are adequate financial and human resources and capacity to develop and manage Bras d’Eau National Park.

4.4.4 Visitor and tourism strategic objectives

1. Capitalise on sustainable tourism opportunities within Bras d’Eau National Park based on appropriate historical, cultural and nature-based activities.

4.4.5 Marketing and awareness strategic objectives

1. Ensure that there is broad awareness within Mauritius and in other foreign countries about Bras d’Eau National Park, its attractions and activities.

4.4.6 Historical and cultural strategic objectives

1. Research and document archaeological and more recent history of Bras d’Eau National Park; 2. Restore and protect historical and archaeological artefacts and structures of Bras d’Eau National Park.

4.4.7 Education and research strategic objectives

1. Provide opportunities for school children, the public and tourists to learn about ecology, biodiversity conservation, and the history and cultural assets of Bras d’Eau National Park; 2. Encourage research opportunities for national and international students; 3. Ensure that the ecological restoration and species recovery work in Bras d’Eau National Park contributes to the scientific understanding of ecology and species management in Mauritius and internationally.

4.4.8 Financial management and sustainability objectives 1. To install a proper financial management system that easily keep track of revenue and expenditure; 2. To develop a business model4 that increases self-reliance through time, with clear targets and timelines.

4.4.9 Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning & Intervention (MELI) 1. Identifying threats and related risk managements measures; 2. Put in place a Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Intervention (MELI) system, and generate reports.

4 A business model would typically examine existing and potential revenue streams, operational costs, capital investments, depreciation and maintenance, etc.

PART THREE

5. Management issues and responses

Thus far the management plan has outlined the Vision Statement and stated the Mission Statements that are the road map to pursue the Vision. It then describes the Strategic Objectives that are based on the Mission Statements and clarifies what the objectives of management are. In order to decide on precisely what action, need to be undertaking for each objective, there is a need to examine management issues that have to be addressed.

The overall imperative for the National Parks and Conservation Service managing a protected area network is to strive at all times to maintain ecosystem integrity in its protected areas, particularly its national parks. On this basis, decision-making associated with the protection of the Bras d’Eau National Park’s ecosystems must be scientifically based on internationally accepted principles and concepts of conservation biology. Specific management, such as ecological restoration works, may be desirable, when the structure or function of a habitat or ecosystem has been significantly altered by human induced impacts or previous management but this must only be considered when it is the best alternative available to restore ecological integrity. Such interventions must be based on scientific research and will employ techniques that emulate natural processes as closely as possible.

Based on the Vision and Mission Statements of the park, as well as inputs from park management staff, the general public and other key stakeholders, a number of management issues and interventions have been identified that must be addressed, if Bras d’Eau National Park is to be effectively managed. These are summarised in the below sections.

5.1 Ecological management issues o Like much of Mauritius, Bras d’Eau National Park is threatened by high levels of invasive alien flora and fauna. o Specific conservation needs of threatened plants and animals, particularly remnant endemic plant species, the Mauritius Paradise Flycatcher, Mauritius reptiles and bats must be considered in the future development and operation of the national park. o As ecological restoration proceeds within Bras d’Eau National Park, opportunities for the re-introduction of indigenous and endemic species should be explored. o In undertaking ecological restoration works, the resource requirements, including technical expertise, labour and time requirements, must be addressed in order to up-scale efforts across the national park. o Mare Sarcelle – part of the wetland system is not captured within the national park, which affects its potential Ramsar status.

o The design of the park makes it susceptible to edge effects and leaves it ecologically isolated.

5.2 Operational issues o There is currently little to no control over access in the national park with multiple access points and no control on who enters or leaves, which is contributing to illegal activities such as the dumping of household and construction waste and building rubble within the national park. o There are significant development pressures on the national park and its boundaries. o Existing planning instruments do not acknowledge or address the needs of the national park, which raises challenges for buffer zone designation and land-use management. o Human and financial resources and capacity need to be further enhanced in the national park as it’s ecological, operational and tourism potential is increased.

5.3 Community issues o There is some level of resource harvesting, particularly of exotic fruit species, which need to be addressed and accommodated, in a controlled manner, within the national park. o Economic opportunities, including local business and job creation, need to be realised in developing and managing the national park. o Open and clear lines of communication need to be established between national park management, local communities and other stakeholders to ensure meaningful engagement and support of the national park.

5.4 Visitor and tourism issues o There is currently a lack of infrastructure, activities and facilities within the national park. o Because of a lack of formal trails, pathways and signage much of the national park is inaccessible (related to this, access for the disabled has not been catered for). o There is need for safety protocols and on dealing with emergency situations that may arise in the park.

5.5 Marketing and awareness o There is a general lack of awareness of Bras d’Eau National Park, which is partly related to its relatively recent proclamation. o There is a lack of marketing or promotion of the national park by local resorts in the region and tour operators.

5.6 Historical and cultural issues o There is a lack of information about the archaeological and more recent history of the national park (e.g. the indentured labour camp). o Some of the historical structures in the national park are in a state of ruin and must be protected, and if appropriate, restored. o Opportunities to create historical and cultural tourism and visitor products and activities in the national park should be explored.

5.7 Education and research o There is a lack of activities and programmes that can be provided to school children and the public. o There is a great opportunity to incorporate Bras d’Eau National Park into research activities, associated with ecological restoration, as programmes are implemented to recover parts of it. o The impact of climate change on native biodiversity is not studied

To respond to the management issues identified, a set of programmes have been outlined in the subsequent sections.

Figure 7: A group of school children visiting Bras d’Eau National Park

6. Management responses

6.1 Ecological and conservation programme

6.1.1 Vegetation management

The focus of vegetation management within Bras d’Eau National Park will be to: • Rehabilitate and restore areas infested with invasive alien species and some of the areas that have historically been planted to orchards and plantations. • Contain and limit the further spread of alien species, particularly those that are retained for particular purposes like for fruit bats within Bras d’Eau National Park.

6.1.1.1 Guiding principles

In managing the vegetation within Bras d’Eau National Park, the following guiding principles will be adhered to: • Invasive alien plant control will require a permanent and ongoing programme that prioritises key infestations in strategically important areas that can be rehabilitated or restored. • All follow-up requirements must be strictly adhered to otherwise the problem will be exacerbated. • Restoration work through re-planting indigenous and endemic species should be carried out in a coordinated fashion with alien plant control efforts. Establish a plant nursery for the production of lowland, coastal plants for the replanting process. • Opportunities for strategic partnership such as the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Programmes should be sought in an effort to contain the costs for ecological restoration and as a way of increasing stakeholder ownership/buy-in and awareness. • Opportunities to achieve cost-recovery should be sought in harvesting commercially viable species that have value for their timber and other buy products. • In some areas alien vegetation such as orchards and areas of plantations will be retained to fulfil specific functions, including retaining the sense of place of Bras d’Eau National Park, ensuring adequate food resources for fruit bats and breeding areas for Paradise Flycatchers, and to enable particular visitor activities (e.g. canopy tours).

6.1.1.2 Threats

• The continued spread and infestation of invasive alien plant species throughout Bras d’Eau National Park, resulting in the further loss of indigenous and endemic species and remnant habitat within the reserve. • The potential for the spread of wildfires in former plantation areas, if these areas are not properly managed and are allowed to become over-grown.

• The loss of the “sense of place” of the area, in particular its association with extensive areas of large shade trees, if extensive areas of alien trees are removed at once. Sudden removal of all invasive species can jeopardise the ecological and geomorphological stability of the area. • Impacts of Climate Change on native plants/ ecosystems not studied

6.1.2 Fauna management

As the indigenous vertebrate fauna that occurs within Bras d’Eau National Park is limited to one endemic bird species, one reptile species and one endemic fruit bat, fauna management will focus on maximising the habitat for these species and considering options for the re-introduction of other endemic species, if feasible.

6.1.2.1 Guiding principles

In managing the fauna within Bras d’Eau National Park, the following guiding principles will be adhered to: • Faunal management should be focussed primarily on protecting the habitat and ecological functioning of the national park in order to protect its remaining indigenous species. • Efforts to maintain and grow the population of Paradise Flycatchers through habitat management will be explored and implemented if feasible or cost effective. • Efforts to maintain and enhance the population of ornate day geckos through habitat management and retaining some alien fruit trees, with the future potential to re-establish the lowland day gecko community within the national park, with the re-introduction of the blue-tailed day gecko and lowland forest day gecko. • Efforts to maintain populations of fruit bats through the introduction of native fruit trees within the national park that will help to provide food sources to the bat and thus also alleviate the human wildlife conflict should be prioritised. • Efforts to maintain and grow populations of migratory waterbirds that utilise the habitat at Mare Sarcelle and other wetland areas will be explored and implemented if feasible. • Opportunities for the re-introduction of indigenous and endemic species into the national park should be explored and, if feasible, implemented. • As far as possible, and where feasible, invasive alien animal species will be controlled in an effort to minimise impacts on native plants and animals.

6.1.2.2 Threats

• Loss of habitat through ongoing infestation of invasive alien plant species. • New incursions by invasive alien species into the national park. • Predation and competition from invasive alien animal species.

• The need for active habitat management in order to maintain and grow populations of indigenous fauna, including retaining some of the exotic plant species that the animal species rely on. • The inability to adequately manage the Mare Sarcelle wetland system as part of the wetland is located outside the boundary of the national park. • The conflict between the fruit bats, as a consumer of fruit and fruit growers.

6.1.3 Wetland management

Mare Sarcelle constitutes the most important wetland component of Bras d’Eau National Park and was one of the underlying drivers for the proclamation of the site as a Reserve in 2002. Similar to the other natural habitat within the national park, the focus for management of the wetlands will be the control of invasive alien species. Furthermore, Mare Sarcelle has the potential to be listed as a Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar site) but in order for this to happen the entire wetland system must be incorporated into the national park.

6.1.3.1 Guiding principles

In managing the wetlands, the following guiding principles will be implemented: • Ecological functioning and provision of ecosystem goods and services associated with wetlands in Bras d’Eau National Park will be ensured through habitat management, in particular control and eradication of invasive alien species. • A critical focus for protected areas expansion efforts should be to incorporate the entire Mare Sarcelle wetland system into the national park, in an effort to achieve Ramsar status for the site.

6.1.3.2 Threats

• The continued invasion, spread and establishment of invasive alien species in the national park, particularly in and around the wetlands, resulting in the further loss of indigenous and endemic species and remnant wetland habitat within the reserve. • Edge effects, encroachments and illegal activities such as dumping of garden refuse and building rubble in the areas surrounding Mare Sarcelle.

6.1.4 Buffer zone management and protected areas expansion

Bras d’Eau National Park is ecologically isolated and not connected to any protected areas or other substantial areas of natural habitat. Furthermore, the design of the national park, which includes long thin strips of land surrounded by other land uses, makes it particularly susceptible to edge effects and threatening processes. Accordingly, suitable buffer zones, and where appropriate,

additions to the national park should be considered in order to consolidate the ecological value of the region and attain a more coherent protected area design.

6.1.4.1 Guiding principles

The focus of buffer zone management and protected area expansion at Bras d’Eau National Park will be to: • As far as possible, ensure compatible low-density, low-impact land uses on the boundary of the national park and its surrounds. • Develop relationships with district councils and other relevant Government Ministries in an effort to ensure that planning instruments in the areas around the national park are aligned with the objectives of the park. • Limit threatening processes, edge effects and encroachment on the national park boundary and within it. • Explore opportunities to incorporate more state and privately-owned land (through Biodiversity Stewardship programmes) into the national park, in an effort to achieve a more ecologically coherent design. • Explore opportunities to create linkages with the natural coastal areas near the national park in an effort to establish a national park that incorporates marine and terrestrial elements.

6.1.4.2 Threats

• Inappropriate land uses on the national park’s boundary and its surroundings, including high density developments that fragment the landscape, reducing ecological function and the natural movement of species. • Inadequate land management on the national park’s boundary and its surroundings, in particular inadequate efforts to contain invasive alien species, which are then able to re- infest areas of the national park. • Unwillingness of private stakeholders to collaborate.

6.2 Community and stakeholder programme

6.2.1 Stakeholder engagement

Constructive relationships with adjacent landowners and communities are an important aspect of the effective conservation of protected areas. Stakeholder engagement should be aimed at developing a strong sense of partnership between the neighbours and communities around the park and its managers.

6.2.1.1 Guiding principles

The following guiding principles will be applied in engaging with stakeholders: • Efforts should be made to ensure that the communities living around the national park are aware of the role that it fulfils in biodiversity protection and the provision of ecological services to the region. • Stakeholder engagement should be undertaken to engender a sense of ownership of the national park, within the communities, and support for its biodiversity conservation goals and objectives. • A common understanding of the issues that affect both the national park and the surrounding communities should be developed and efforts to resolve them should be undertaken cooperatively.

6.2.1.2 Threats

• A lack of support from neighbours and the local community for the national park, its goals and objectives. • Conflicting agenda between communities or conflicts between land owners and communities.

6.2.2 Resource utilisation

It is an accepted tenet of biodiversity conservation in much of the world that the sustainable use of natural and biological resources may be undertaken within a protected area, provided that it does not compromise ecological functioning or biodiversity conservation imperatives.

Accordingly, extractive resource use within Bras d’Eau National Park is acceptable provided that it is sustainable and does not cause environmental harm.

6.2.2.1 Guiding principles

The following guiding principles will be applied in managing and guiding decisions on sustainable resource utilisation: • Resource utilisation needs to be guided by the national park’s zoning plan, in particular the ecological sensitivity of particular areas. • As far as possible, equitable access should be provided to the public for resource use opportunities. • Resource use should be allowed only if the national park’s managers are able to effectively control and monitor resource use activities, and any ancillary impacts associated with it.

6.2.2.2 Threats

• The continued spread and infestation of invasive alien species in the national park, resulting in the further loss of indigenous and endemic species and remnant natural habitat within the reserve. • Continuing indirect impacts of resource use, including uncontrolled access and the spread of litter.

6.3 Operational programme

6.3.1 Legal compliance

As the mandated management authority for Bras d’Eau National Park, the National Parks and Conservation Service must ensure that the national park is appropriately legally protected and that the laws governing the use of the park and the prohibition of particular activities are enforced.

6.3.1.1 Guiding principles

In ensuring legal compliance within Bras d’Eau National Park, the following guiding principles will be adhered to: • All reasonable efforts must be made to ensure the effective conservation of biodiversity within and on the boundaries of the national park. • Access to the national park should be controlled to ensure that inappropriate activities do not occur and that visitor experience within the national park is maximised. • Cooperative structures should be established to enable participation by key stakeholders, such as local communities and businesses, in addressing offences and breaches of the law. • Law enforcement within the national park will be undertaken through surveillance, monitoring and appropriate reaction in the event of an offence.

6.3.1.2 Threats

• Illegal or uncontrolled access into the park to undertake activities such as harvesting of fruits. • Illegal dumping of garden refuse and building rubble within the national park. • Illegal encroachment onto the borders and into the national park through the extension of gardens, informal housing and other incursions.

6.3.2 Financial and human resources

Bras d’Eau National Park cannot be effectively managed without adequate sustained funding and sufficient human resources.

6.3.2.1 Guiding principles

In addressing financial and human resource needs within Bras d’Eau National Park, the following guiding principles will be adhered to: • Adequate funding must be provided for the management of the national park to ensure the protection of its biodiversity and cultural values and the continued provision of its ecosystem services. • Commercial operations within the park must be self-sufficient and, if profitable, should be used to subsidise its conservation and community programmes. • Adequate and properly trained staff must be employed to undertake the operational management requirements of the park.

6.3.2.2 Threats

• A lack of funding to adequately manage the national park. • A lack of capacity to effectively manage the national park as a result of insufficient numbers of suitably trained and experienced staff.

6.4 Tourism programme

Bras d’Eau National Park has a wide variety of potential attractions that can be developed to attract foreign tourists and local visitors. Tourism products developed within the national park should be carefully planned and assessed to determine their feasibility, how they respond to the tourism market needs and whether they will be financially viable. In addition to providing opportunities for visitors to appreciate the natural beauty and tranquillity of the national park, visitor activities should provide opportunities to generate income in an effort to achieve a level of cost-recovery for Bras d’Eau National Park.

6.4.1 Guiding principles

The focus for tourism development and management at Bras d’Eau National Park will be to: • Ensure the development of tourism products and visitor activities that are compatible with the Values, Vision and Mission Statements of Bras d’Eau National Park. • Adopt an equitable policy of tourism and visitor development that allows the people of Mauritius the opportunity to access and appreciate the national park.

• Provide high quality visitor experiences that showcase the natural, historical and cultural values of the national park, allowing visitors a deeper appreciation of the history and ecology of Mauritius. • Integrate Bras d’Eau within the broad tourism planning and policy direction of Mauritius, in an effort to contribute towards diversification of the country’s tourism sector. • Develop partnerships with the private sector, through concessions and other arrangements that allow for revenue generation for Bras d’Eau National Park that contributes towards cost-recovery in its development and management.

6.4.2 Concept tourism development plan

In order to fully develop the tourism potential of Bras d’Eau National Park, it is important to understand its tourism market and opportunities. This involves understanding the tourists, the tourism environment and the inter-relationship between tourists, resorts and tour operators. It is important to understand the types of activities being sought by the tourism market and to cater for the tourist and visitor activities in Bras d’Eau National Park accordingly.

In developing attractions and activities for Bras d’Eau National Park, an understanding is required of the following issues: • Destination image. • Competing attractions. • Quality of attractions. • Quality of experience. • Complementary attractions.

Based on this and an understanding of the national park’s values and its conservation requirements, a number of tourism products may be developed. This requires the involvement of resorts and tour operators, which means that communication and engagement with them must be established and maintained.

An important consideration is the role of the private sector. Often, tourism products are best developed by entrepreneurs with a particular set of skills and expertise to develop specialist activities, as well as the drive to manage such activities as profitable business ventures. The role of Bras d’Eau National Park management must be to provide the basic infrastructure to cater for visitor needs, including trails, picnic facilities and services such as car parks, toilets and waste management facilities. Opportunities may then be developed for the development of concessions for specialist visitor activities. Through this process, the national park will gain rental income whilst allowing the development of local business opportunities that cater for tourist and visitor needs within the national park.

A number of tourism products may be developed within Bras d’Eau National Park. The activities offered must be compatible with the national park’s zoning plan, allowing for activities that complement the zoning objectives. The types of tourism products that may be offered in the special protection overlay include: • Guided educational and interpretive tours, explaining the significance of the archaeology, history or ecology of sensitive areas within the national park. • Low-impact tourist activities such as bird watching tours and associated infrastructure. The types of tourism activities that may be offered in the moderate use zone include: • Guided educational and interpretive tours through areas of interest within the national park. • Biking and horse riding - guided or self-guided tours that allow for the hire of bicycles or horses. • Low-impact, low footprint accommodation facilities. • Canopy tours and aerial boardwalks in areas of the national park that have well developed mature trees. The types of activities and facilities that could be offered in the park development zone include: • High volume educational or interpretive tours that inform visitors about the national park, its history, culture and ecology. • High volume visitor facilities including restaurants, kiosks and tea gardens. • A function centre catering for events and conferences. • Curio shops or curio markets. • Relatively high-volume ecotourism accommodation facilities and camp sites.

6.5 Environmental management programme

6.5.1 Environmental ethic

As a proclaimed national park, environmental management within Bras d’Eau National Park must be implemented to the highest possible standard. This means that the national park’s Values, its Vision and Mission Statements and Strategic Objectives cannot be compromised by badly planned or implemented projects with significant adverse environmental impacts. This requires that a proper understanding of the implications and potential environmental impacts of a development are obtained prior to the commencement of any work. Appropriate controls should be instituted

during development work to ensure that any potential impacts are avoided, minimised and mitigated. Furthermore, the implication of this is that accepted international principles of environmental management must be applied, including:

• The precautionary principle: a risk-averse approach that takes into account the limits of current knowledge about the consequences of decisions and actions, and only proceeds with those decisions and actions where there is reasonable degree of certainty that the consequences of proceeding will not result in unacceptable impacts. • The polluter-pays principle: the costs of remedying pollution and/or environmental degradation, and of preventing, controlling or minimising further pollution and/or environmental damage must be paid for by those responsible for harming the environment.

6.5.2 Objectives of integrated environmental management

Integrated environmental management acknowledges that all elements of the environment are linked and inter-related, and that environmental management must take into account the effects of decisions on all aspects of the environment and pursue the options that best avoid, minimise or mitigate environmental impacts.

6.5.3 Environmental impact assessments

Before undertaking proposed development work or activities within Bras d’Eau National Park, the potential impacts must be fully considered to ensure that a fully informed decision may be made whether to proceed or not. A holistic approach should be considered taking into account the environmental factors and existing legislation/ policies.

The purpose of impact assessment is to identify the possible risks, inherent in any proposed development or activity, to Bras d’Eau National Park’s Values and Vision.

Following a comprehensive assessment of impacts, the benefits of the proposed development or activity may then be weighed against the impacts on the national park’s values to determine whether it should proceed or what conditions should be imposed before it may proceed. The identification and mitigation of impacts relies on a process of impact assessment followed by the determination of environmental controls and ongoing monitoring and impact response.

Before determining the level of assessment required for any new development or activity within the national park, it must be established whether the development of activity conforms to the purpose for which the national park was proclaimed, as set out in Section 11(3) Native Terrestrial Biodiversity and National Parks Act of 2015. If a development or activity does not conform to the purpose of a national park it should not proceed.

The majority of new works or activities within the park will be designed to meet operational and tourism needs such as trails, bridges, interpretive displays, accommodation, amenities, support facilities and services. There will also be work or activities undertaken to enable ecological restoration, the reintroduction of endemic species and to facilitate study and research of the park’s biodiversity.

The level of assessment applied to a development or activity depends on the extent and nature of the work proposed and the sensitivity of the area in which the development or activity will be conducted. Generally, the greater the extent of the proposed work or activity and the more sensitive the environment in which the work or activity are proposed, the greater the impact. All work and activities, even those requiring no assessment, will require some level of monitoring during their construction, operation and, in some cases, decommissioning. The process for assessing, managing and monitoring impacts is set out in Figure 8.

Proposed work or activity

Feedback and Re-evaluation of refinement to improved proposed works or future management Assessment of activity controls potential impacts

Proposed work or activity Proposed work or activity that has some negative Proposed works or activity does not negatively impact impacts on the ecological is deemed to have on the ecological character character of the site and irreversible negative of the site and may proceed may only be implemented impacts and may not as proposed provided mitigation proceed measures are identified

Implementation of mitigation measures

Ongoing monitoring to ensure that the ecological character is not lost

Figure 8: Process for assessing, controlling and monitoring environmental impacts

6.5.4 Detailed site specific environmental management plans

The environmental impact assessment process will specify the conditions that must be implemented during the construction and operation phases of a project. During minor construction work the necessary controls may be minimal, requiring little more than final certification by an appropriate NPCS staff, that the required controls have been implemented. If medium to extensive mitigation measures are required during construction works, an environmental management plan shall be required. Such a plan must describe in detail those requirements (e.g. mitigation measures, monitoring and reporting) that are applicable to the construction phase.

The objectives of an environmental management plan are to: • Set out the management strategies and actions required to ensure that the project is constructed in accordance with the best achievable standards of environmental protection. • Allocate responsibilities and define accountabilities for the execution of all environmental actions. • Develop a programme for evaluation of environmental performance through monitoring, documentation and auditing. • Develop a process for corrective actions.

Site specific environmental management plans should be in the following format and contain the following information: 1. The objectives of the environmental management plan. 2. A project description – including a brief overview of the project and the main environmental issues identified in the environmental impact assessment. 3. An environmental management organisational structure and responsibilities. 4. Project environmental management strategies. 5. Incident management procedures. 6. Compliance and reporting. 7. An induction and training program.

6.5.5 Waste management

Waste management, in particular disposal of litter, has been highlighted as an issue in Bras d’Eau National Park. An appropriate waste management strategy and accompanying system must be implemented to address this problem.

A policy of waste carry-in-carry-out is an accepted practice in many protected areas worldwide. Through such a policy, visitors into protected areas return from the protected area with their litter and other waste, which they may then dispose of at an appropriate facility, either at a visitors’

centre or somewhere else outside of the protected area. This is an important consideration because waste disposed of within the protected area can often exacerbate issues with problem animals, pests and invasive alien animals. Unless tamper-proof rubbish bins are provided, problems are likely to arise with rats, mice, dogs, some bird species, insect pests and other animals such as monkeys within the national park. Furthermore, an extensive waste disposal system, based on the provision of rubbish bins across the extent of the national park, is expensive to establish and time-consuming and costly to manage. On this basis, it is recommended that a visitor awareness campaign be launched encouraging visitors to carry-out the litter and other waste that they have carried-in and that an appropriate waste disposal system be installed around the Visitor Centre and main picnic areas, within the tourism development node. Options for recycling of waste can be considered in these areas, as the volumes of waste are likely to be sufficient to justify the implementation of a recycling system. This may include compost production from organic waste collected in the Park which can then be used in the restoration programme.

6.6 Research programme

6.6.1 Guiding principles

Ongoing research is an important informant of management, and necessary in order to ensure that management actions have a scientific grounding. Broadly speaking, there are two types of research: research that will be conducted by outside specialists in various fields, and basic research such as surveys that can be conducted by the park management itself, or NPCS technical staff.

The following broad principles may guide research in, and around Bras d’Eau National Park:

Research by outside entities: • Research on any aspect of Bras d’Eau National Park or its surrounding should be encouraged, including scientific, social, historical, or cultural research. • Prospective researchers should write a synopsis on their research projects and apply for permission from the Director of the NPCS to do research inside the park, copying the Senior Scientific Officer. • Among other permitting conditions, is that a full copy of all outputs (thesis, consultation and other reports, articles, etc.) be lodged with the Director of the NPCS as well as a copy with the Senior Scientific Officer within 60 days of completion of such outputs. Further conditions will include local inhabitants of the region being involved as far as possible (like in excavations or as research assistants). Team members could include staff or students from national institutions, and permission should be granted beforehand by the relevant authorities (such as the NHF, MSSNSESD, etc.).

• NPCS and the park will have the right to use research results in an applied manner for management purposes only (not for publication), in consultation. • While the NPCS has no jurisdiction in terms of research outside the park, prospective researchers working in the vicinity of the park are encouraged to write a 1 – 2-page synopsis and submit this to the Director of the NPCS and Senior Scientific Officer, as there may exist possibilities for collaboration, mutual support, etc. • The park management itself should draw up a concise research plan of all aspects that it feels more information is required on, whether for theoretical or applied purposes, and can then decide what research NPCS is capable of carrying out, and where outside parties may have to be enlisted. This research plan should be drawn up in the first year of the current management cycle.

6.6.2 Knowledge management and information systems

The development of social and natural sciences research to monitor, inform and support park management, biodiversity conservation, community development, cultural landscape management and tourism development is part of adaptive management. It is important for the park management to understand the research that has been done and at the same prioritises some research that is needed in order to put management and further development of the park on a firm footing.

A full inventory will be established of the past and present research in a format that can be utilised by other relevant partners. The research documents can be kept electronically or when possible as both electronic and hard copies in the NPCS head office and copies given to the park office as well. These copies are supported by a database that has the following information:

• List of all the studies conducted within the BENP; • The researchers and authors who conducted the research; • An outline of the objectives of the research and main findings (such as an Executive Summary); • Copies of any films shot in the park, or partly in the park, should be lodged with the NPCS.

If outside parties engage in mapping, copies of the maps as well as shapefiles needs to be lodged with the NPCS as a condition of their research permits. A systematic catalogue needs to be established for all mapping data, including for internal mapping exercises. Maps should be in a format that can be shared with other relevant institutions such as the Ministry of Housing and Lands and the District Councils. The knowledge management system put in place should be linked to the Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Intervention system.

6.7 Cultural resources management programme

6.7.1 Guiding principles

The Bras d’Eau National Park should be managed as a cultural landscape to ensure protection of its cultural resources, and the preservation of the historic values for the benefit of the country. In doing so, the following must be considered:

• The Bras d’Eau National Park should be recognised a valuable cultural landscape that showcases the history of Mauritius. • Park staff needs to have a clear understanding of what has to be managed, and appropriate heritage authorities and experts should be enlisted for this purpose. • The value of the cultural landscape in Bras d’Eau National Park is also linked to the intangible heritage that lies within the minds of the communities who live around the park. As such, a cultural heritage programme should also include oral history research of the elderly community members. • The cultural landscape can also form the basis for cultural tourism in the Bras d’Eau National Park. The cultural programmes and interpretation centre should therefore include interpretation of the cultural landscape. • Protection of the cultural landscape requires active management. This is because the cultural landscape is often vulnerable and easily erodes.

6.7.2 Priorities for management of cultural resources

Priorities for management of the cultural resources in Bras d’Eau National Park include developing a cultural landscape map showing the positions of the cultural heritage resources in Bras d’Eau National Park. Archaeological research should also be prioritised in order to get a better understanding of the cultural resources. This can be done as part of a cultural resources audit for the park in order to identify and explain the sites and heritage around Bras d’Eau National Park. Once the cultural resources audit is in place, a zoning plan on cultural resources can be developed for the park.

It is recommended that a short cultural landscape management plan is developed together with the relevant stakeholders such as the AGTF, LMHTF, NHF, etc. An initial assessment of the cultural assets in the Park has already been conducted by the Aapravasi Ghat Trust Fund. The cultural landscape management plan will therefore specify objectives, targets and measures for the conservation of the cultural landscape. Such a plan intersects with and informs the Zoning Plan in this management plan to further identify special sites, such as sites of significant religious or cultural significance.

6.8 Financial management and sustainability

Beach tourism has grown extensively in Mauritius and is one of the main contributors of the country’s GDP. Many regions in Mauritius have capitalised on this industry and the Moka Flacq District is no exception. Hotels catering for different clientele from high end to medium range tourism have been built along the coast line. This presents a market of international visitors for Bras d’Eau National Park and gives the park an important role in tourism diversification and the overall tourism strategy for Mauritius.

Bras d’Eau National Park can play a critical role as an income generator for the local communities like the community members of the Roches Noire and Poste de Flacq villages, as well as for the NPCS. Small enterprises can be developed in the tourism and service industry that can cater for the market needs within and around the park. Services provided could include tourist guides, traditional food and curios sold to tourists, among others.

The potential for Bras d’Eau National Park to generate income is evident. As such, park management finances should be part of the overall management of the park. Financial management should ensure the optimal use of financial resources of the park through effective financial planning, efficient use of resources and tight control over income and expenditure. As part of the park financial management, it is critical to ensure that Bras d’Eau National Park is adequately funded and that the funds provided are carefully managed to fulfil the Vision of the park. In so doing, the park may be able to attain some level of cost recovery.

6.8.1 Budgeting process

Budgeting is an essential component of financial planning that allows park management to determine the resources needed to implement the management plan and to realise the development potential of the park. Budgets should be based on the income and expenditure forecasts that are in line with the projected development and management needs of the park. The budgeting process should take into account several policies that determine the allocation of funds by the relevant Ministries such as the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. These policies include the determination of capital and recurrent budgets. The capital budgets are funded in line with the project proposal submitted to the Ministry of Agro Industry and Food Security while the recurrent budget is covered separately by the Ministry for salaries (as defined in the scheme of services) and other operational expenditures. Other policies that need to be considered include the purchasing policies and the bid and tender policies as defined by the Public Procurement Act 2006 as well as the internal control systems put in place by the NPCS.

As part of the budgeting process, the NPCS should consider the different sources of income and how they can be allocated to the different costs that are incurred by the park for operational and development purposes. Income diversification should form part of the financial plan of the park

in order to target funding submissions for the development of the Park and the implementation of the management plan. It is important to highlight the essential role of the BENP in terms of tourism diversification for Mauritius, its economic role in the region as well as the ecological infrastructure that it provides when funding is being requested from other sources.

Aside from Government, several other stakeholders may be able to help to fund activities in BENP. In some instances, grants may be obtained from NGOs while in other cases, the private sector businesses can provide funding through their CSR programmes. Funds may also be obtained from entry fees to the BENP. For this, a two-tier pricing arrangement may be required that allows Mauritians to enter the park free of charge or at very low cost as compared to foreign visitors. This is a very common practice throughout the world and in Mauritius as the park forms an integral part of the nation’s heritage.

Revenues may also be obtained from concessions in the park to implement some of the income generating activities identified. This should be done in line with the specifications highlighted by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development as well as the Native Terrestrial Biodiversity and National Parks Act of 2015. In addition, revenue obtained from sales of indigenous plants should be included in the budget structure of the park. Such revenues should be linked to the National Parks and Conservation Fund as defined in the Act.

6.8.2 Financial accounting

Financial planning is based on auditable accounting systems that are used to monitor expenditure and manage the income obtained from activities conducted in the park. Financial planning should be coordinated by the BENP Park Manager or Scientific Officer (Parks) together with the Senior Park Ranger in the NPCS. Some of the tools5 that can be used for the day to day operations and implementation of the financial plan include the following:

• Transaction Journal: All financial transactions should be recorded in a transaction Journal as the first step towards proper bookkeeping. • Requisitions and orders logbook: All requisitions and orders should be recorded in a dedicated logbook. • Vehicle and fuel use logbook: A record should be kept of vehicle and fuel use. • Record of wages and salaries: A record should be kept of all wages paid to labourers. • Assets register:

5 Use of these tools should be phased in over time as the need arises and as resources (human and financial) permit.

A register should be kept of all park assets. This includes all movable and material not stored in store rooms and equipment issued to staff.

It is important for the park management to have the necessary support infrastructure including the appropriate computer software to manage the park finances as per need basis. Training may also be provided on how the financial system can be operated so that there is direct communication and linkages to the overall NPCS financial system. This information should be reported correctly to allow senior managers in NPCS to be able to track park finances.

6.8.3 Auditing

At the end of each year, an annual financial report consisting of a summary of all important financial information should be put together by the NPCS together with the relevant financial person(s) in the NPCS. This should be submitted to the Deputy Director and Director together with the Black River Gorges National Parks budget. This report then forms a part of the NPCS annual report that is audited. The NPCS financial report should be audited by an independent external auditor in line with the Statutory Bodies Accounts and Audit Act of 1972 (with various amendments).

7 Zoning guidelines

7.1 Purpose of zoning

The purpose of zoning within a protected area, such as a national park, is to identify types and levels of usage that are acceptable based on an area’s sensitivity and resilience, and to manage visitor experience and inter-user conflict. Zoning controls the type and intensity of use within a protected area, in efforts to ensure that the overriding goals of biodiversity conservation are met whilst enabling acceptable levels of use through resource utilisation and tourism activities. Zoning may be used to identify areas in which infrastructure may be located and developed within a protected area, based on appropriate uses.

A zoning system enables a protected area to be zoned based on the intensity of use envisaged within different parts of it. Zoning systems should recognise and reflect: • Sensitive features associated with a protected area (i.e. biophysical, cultural and sense of place). • A general gradation in the zoning categories, in which the next use level provides a buffer to the lower use level. • Influence of existing and historic facilities, infrastructure and use. • Opportunities and constraints (Biophysical, social or managerial constraints) for use.

Zoning is a composite of ecological zones (based on natural resource sensitivity), sense of place, cultural features, patterns of environmental settings, and existing development and use patterns. The final zoning map directs management towards a desired outcome for each zone, which reflects and respects the broader conservation, cultural and tourism objectives for the protected area.

7.2 Zoning categories

Bras d’Eau National Park is divided into the following management zones as per Map 3 below.

Special protection This zone addresses specific aspects of ecological and cultural or overlay archaeological management such as focus areas for archaeological study, areas of particular ecological or species sensitivity, ecological restoration and rehabilitation. It may overlay other zones, instituting site-specific rules in addition to the restrictions that apply in the underlying zone. Within this zone, low impact ecotourism principles prevail, characterised by limited infrastructure. Moderate use zone These are areas in which principles of relatively low impact tourism, intended to maintain the tranquil, natural character of the national park, prevail but higher levels of usage are permitted. Tourism infrastructure, such as trails and boardwalks, enabling access and use of the greater area of the national park, may be located in this zone. Park development This is a zone within the moderate use zone, which includes zone commercial tourism developments such as visitor centres, restaurants and kiosks, picnic and camping sites, as well as facilities for staff accommodation, administrative offices and operational infrastructure. Buffer zone These are areas surrounding the protected area in which compatible land uses are encouraged. They are characterised by low-impact, low density developments that, as far as possible, complement the land use within the protected area.

Map 3: Bras d’Eau National Park Management Zones

7.3 Special protection overlays

These areas may be designated as vulnerable, archaeologically, historically or scientifically important where specific additional controls are imposed in order to prevent undesirable impacts on them. In the case of Bras d’Eau National Park this zone will be used to ensure that disturbance of sensitive archaeological or historical sites, such as Conservation Management Areas (in which active ecological restoration is ongoing), sensitive wetlands and other habitats, is avoided. The objective of this zone is to ensure that impacts on sensitive areas, species and habitats are avoided.

Permissible activities: • Within these zones access and development would be allowed for specific reasons that would further the management objectives for which it has been established. • The types of infrastructure permitted in these zones include low-impact access roads and tracks, infrastructure required for restoration and management activities and scientific monitoring infrastructure, or low impact tourism infrastructure such as bird hides. • This zone may be permanent, temporary or seasonal. • Changes to this zone may be brought as conditions change through the park planning committee and recorded at the annual management meeting.

7.4 Moderate use zone

This zone covers the majority of the national park and includes areas used for the development of management infrastructure and relatively high levels of tourist usage. The objective of this zone is to accommodate a variety of tourism and operational infrastructure and developments that complement the Vision, Mission Statements and Strategic Objectives of the national park.

This includes small to medium scale tourism infrastructure and developments, and to enable the development of operational management infrastructure such as staff housing within the nature reserve. The park development zone is buffered within this zone.

Permissible activities: • Development of small to medium scale tourism developments and infrastructure that extend from the main park development zone. • Development of activities such as relatively high volume interpretive and adventure tourism activities on formalised pathways and boardwalks. • Development of low scale infrastructure such as hiking or picnic huts, bird hides, rustic campsites and field ranger outposts. • Development of operational management infrastructure such as vehicle access trails.

• Use of operational management infrastructure such as vehicle access trails by visitors for hiking, mountain biking and vehicle access along specific designated roads. • Carefully controlled natural resource utilisation, overseen by park management officials to ensure that harvesting of materials is managed and sustainable.

7.5 Park development zone

This zone encompasses the main visitor access point and the area that receives the highest volume of visitor use. It also encompasses the main operational management centre for the national park that houses the administrative centre, operational equipment and infrastructure and may be developed to provide accommodation for staff. This zone is designated for areas of relatively high vehicle usage such as the existing roads that run through the national park. It experiences the highest level of tourism impact and may be developed to cope with high volumes of traffic and use.

Permissible activities: • Development of high volume tourism facilities and infrastructure such as car and bus parking areas, visitor centres, refreshment facilities (restaurants, tea gardens, kiosks etc.), picnic areas, accommodation facilities, curio shops or a curio market, and toilet facilities. • This zone may be developed and managed to handle tour groups and large numbers of visitors through surface area management, and through provision of waste disposal and recycling facilities. • Development of the main administrative centre of the national park, comprising offices, workshops, storehouses, garages, plant nurseries and staff accommodation.

7.6 Buffer zone

A buffer zone needs to be established for Bras d’Eau National Park. The objective for this zone is to work cooperatively with neighbours, adjacent landowners, Local Government and other stakeholders in an effort to ensure that the ecological and scenic values of the buffer areas are protected and that edge effects and other external impacts are minimised within the park. As far as possible, the buffer zone is to be managed to retain the sense of place associated with Bras d’Eau National Park.

Permissible activities: • Low impact, low density development on the boundary and the surrounding areas of Bras d’Eau National Park. • Incorporation of Bras d’Eau National Park and its buffer area into town planning schemes (Outline Planning Schemes etc.) to ensure compatible land use.

7.7 Park expansion

In time, it may be possible with new information or the review of existing information to expand the park. One existing case is the inclusion of all of the rest of Mare Sarcelle in the park, for reasons already mentioned. However, there are also remnants of unique and valuable vegetation that lie outside the current borders that may need to be included in the park. Furthermore, taking a landscape approach, adding part of the shoreline and an appropriate marine component including marshes, lagoon and reef, will greatly add to the overall value of Bras d’Eau National Park.

These additions cannot yet be included in the current Management Plan due to the necessity of extensive stakeholder engagement with key stakeholders, and co-management arrangements that are tailored for such additions, including a Biodiversity Stewardship Programme. It is important to acknowledge in the Action Plan that areas with similar Values or areas, that might enhance those Values in the Park, must be investigated and stakeholders contacted, especially concession holders and private land owners.

PART FOUR

8. Administration

The objectives in the administration of the Bras d’Eau National Park cover adequate financial and human resources capable to develop and manage the park. The professional team assigned to manage the park will be central to the pursuit of its Vision and will therefore require the necessary support from Government and other relevant stakeholders to do so. Central to the management of the park is the realisation that the park’s core business is biodiversity conservation. As such, the park may not be able to be financially sustainable, at least not in the near future, and may continue to require Government support when necessary. However, innovative approaches to effective leadership from the park management will be encouraged in order to generate and retain income from various activities that are ecologically friendly and can be conducted in and around the park.

8.1 Park management structure

Bras d’Eau National Park is under the responsibility of the Director of the NPCS. The staff of BENP form part of the enforcement division of the National Parks and Conservation Service (NPCS)6. Daily management of the Park staff is the responsibility of the Park Ranger who reports to the Deputy Director of the NPCS through the Senior Park Ranger. Additional staff needed for new operations within the park can be provided by the central administrative structure of the NPCS and are shared with the Black River Gorges National Park.

8.1.1 Staffing

The Director of the National Parks and Conservation Service is responsible for the overall management of the BENP and is assisted by the Deputy Director (DD), a Senior Park Ranger (SPR) and the Scientific cadre. Furthermore, technical officers also make up part of the scientific unit of the NPCS, whose role is to research and provide specific tasks involving the management of native terrestrial biodiversity both within the Park and all across Mauritius. However no scientific staff is physically posted on a permanent basis in the Park. In addition, the NPCS also has an administrative unit that deals with financial and other logistical arrangements necessary for the management of the Park

As part of their daily mandatory management of the BENP, the NPCS has mandated Park Rangers and Assistant Park Rangers to enforce the laws of the Park. These officers deal with visitor management, the protection and monitoring of the Park, maintenance of facilities to standard and ensure visitors satisfaction and enhance visitors feel-safe.

6 Please refer to the current NPCS organigram (Figure 9)

It is proposed that for the implementation of this Management Plan, a new organisational structure be setup with additional staff and new proposed positions. This will strengthen enforcement and management of native terrestrial biodiversity and help the NPCS achieve the Vision of the park. Similarly, enterprise development can be promoted through training of people as guides and assisting them to establish their own businesses. These guides however, need not necessarily be full-time employees of the NPCS.

As per Figure 10, it is proposed that a Senior Conservation Manager be appointed who is responsible for the overall management of the BENP through a Conservation Manager. The Conservation Manager will be responsible for the management the park. In addition, the Conservation Manager will also assist in identifying the research needs for the parks that can be done by various researchers from different institutions. The Conservation Manager will also be responsible for managing the budgets for the Park and for putting in place the necessary systems to monitor resources (human and financial resources) in the Park with the support of Assistant Conservation Managers and Wildlife and Conservation Officers. The Conservation Manager will report to the Senior Conservation Manager. Currently the positions of a Senior Conservation Manager, Conservation Managers, Assistant Conservation Managers and Wildlife and Conservation Officers are not available. However, it is proposed that these positions be integrated in the structure of the NPCS through existing pools of officers and through subsequent upgrading of the scheme of service of current officers. The Senior Conservation Manager will be responsible for the overall management of all the national parks in Mauritius.

Figure 9: Current organisational chart of the NPCS including the Bras d’Eau National Park Management Structure 7

7 In this organisational chart, SO means Scientific Officer, SSO means Senior Scientific Office, TO refers to Technical Officer, STO means Senior Technical Officer and C refers to Conservation.

Director

Deputy Director

Senior Conservation Manager

Conservation Manager Conservation Manager BRGNP BENP

Assistant Conservation Assistant Conservation Managers (SPR) BRGNP Manager (SPR) BENP

Wildlife and Wildlife and Conservation Officers Conservation Officers (PR) (PR)

Figure 10: Proposed organisational structure to enable implementation of Management plan

For the effective implementation of this Management Plan, the NPCS should consider increasing the number of technical staff as per the above figure for the marketing and tourism development of Bras d’Eau National Park. For instance, it is proposed that the Assistant Conservation Manager be responsible for the management of tourism development activities in and around the Parks and will coordinate their tourism marketing activities directly with the Ministry of Tourism and other relevant stakeholders on behalf of the NPCS. The Assistant Conservation Managers will also be required to facilitate conservation planning and stewardship agreements by assisting the private landowners who undertake conservation-based activities around BENP. Public awareness campaigns should also be carried out to ensure that all relevant stakeholders are consulted in the management and development of the BENP. These responsibilities should fall under the responsibility of the Conservation Manager.

8.1.2 Human resources management

The main objective for human resources management is to ensure that the park has adequately trained and motivated staff, with a good understanding of, and respect for, the cultural and natural dimensions of the park. In so doing, staff motivation is maintained and their performance is orientated towards the achievement of the management objectives of the Bras d’Eau National Park. In addition, the Bras d’Eau National Park personnel will have the skills needed for their jobs and for personal development.

Key tools that may be used by the NPCS for human resources management include the following: • Propose and review the job descriptions of the staff described in the proposed organisational chart; • Reinforce the staff code of conduct to guide employee behaviour and clarify rules and regulations for employees. The staff code of conduct should be displayed in a conspicuous area for all staff to see and employees should receive the necessary induction on the code of conduct; • Assess the current skills of the employees at the BENP and measure them against the skills that are required to meet the objectives of the Park; and • A formal motivational system for the BENP which rewards positive behaviour and censures negative behaviour.

8.1.3 Staff training and capacity building

A strategy is required that provides for the daily operation of the BENP by highly competent employees who adhere to the Vision and Mission of the Park. Under the PAN project, protected area Training Needs Assessment (TNA) was led by the Project Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) (Mauremootoo, 2015) in order to: • Identify the desired skills and competence standards required for effective protected area planning, development and management at the different occupational levels within the PA agencies; • Assess the current skills base and competence levels of planning and operational protected area staff in the PA agencies and identifying the critical ‘gaps’ for the different occupational levels.; • Develop an institutional skills development and training programme for the PA agencies.; and • Assess and identify options for sourcing existing, or developing new, skills development and training programs in order to address these critical gaps in skills and raise competence standards. Through a consultative process, gaps in knowledge, skills and attitudes were identified across the 17 protected area management categories. The gaps, which were identified and prioritised, provided the basis for institutional skills development and training programme for the PA agencies to be implemented under the PAN Project through the provision of technical skills training as a package by a recognised training provider. The training programmes is tailored according to the learning needs, qualifications and current skills of the staff, and also according to the skill sets needed for competence in the work place8.

8 At the time of writing this Management Plan, a training provider was selected to deliver training to PA staff. However, the needs analysis should be ongoing process carried out at regular interval to make sure PA staff are well trained to face the challenges and demands related to effective management of protected areas

Staff exchange between NPCS and foreign Parks should also be considered as these can provide on the job training as well as experiential training in different environments. Career development of individual employees must be provided for through formal educational programmes with accredited institutions. It is important that skills and knowledge are transferred within the NPCS so that all the relevant staff members are empowered. This can be achieved by empowering trained staff members with developed expertise to train other staff members or new personnel. It is also important in the short term that the scheme of service and qualification of the park cadre be upgraded so that they can align with the scientific cadre. Incentives should also be provided to retain trained NPCS staff given the niche sector in which it operates.

8.2 Co-management structures

In order to implement this plan, various stakeholders will have to be involved and should commit to implementing activities that fall within their mandate. These stakeholders will include Government, private sector businesses, NGOs and broader civil society. These stakeholders are important for conservation, ecotourism development and growth initiatives that are aligned to the Park’s Vision, as well as the provision of infrastructure and services. Such a structure already exists through the Native Terrestrial Biodiversity and National Parks Advisory council.

8.2.1 Other co-management arrangements

In order to ensure the sustainable management of Bras d’Eau National Park, there is need for integrated governance. Several Government Ministries, Institutions and Authorities whose mandates relate to some of the activities defined in the management plan will have to play a role in the management of Bras d’Eau National Park. Table 2 provides an indicative framework of the institutions and their proposed responsibilities that can be used to manage Bras d’Eau National Park.

Table 2: The proposed responsibilities of Institutes and Ministries for Bras d’Eau National Park

Ministry/Institution/Authority/Body Responsibility Ministry of Agro Industry and Food The Ministry oversees terrestrial biodiversity conservation, Security (MoAIFS) protected area expansion, and all protected areas in Mauritius, including BENP. National Parks and Conservation The authority appointed by the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Service (NPCS) Food Security to manage and oversee protection and conservation in National Parks including BENP in accordance to the Native Terrestrial Biodiversity and National Parks Act of 2015. Forestry Services Responsible for the conservation and protection of the nature reserves and forests in Mauritius Ministry of Arts and Culture (MAC) The Ministry is responsible for overseeing the overall heritage, arts and culture in Mauritius. National Heritage Trust Fund Oversee the heritage conservation for BENP and provide support and cultural or heritage research

Ministry/Institution/Authority/Body Responsibility Ministry of Finance and Economic The Ministry will provide financial support for implementing Development (MoFED) the Management Plan and also assist with local economic development of areas around the BENP. Ministry of Fisheries Marine and coastal management including protection and conservation of the mangroves Ministry of Social Security, National The Ministry responsible for environmental management in Solidarity, Environment and Mauritius as the overarching Ministry. Sustainable Development (MSSNSESD) Moka Flacq District Council and the Implementation of the Planning Schemes through the Pamplemousses/Rivière du Rempart development control provisions of the Town and Country District Council Planning Act 1954, The Planning and Development Act 2004 and the Local Government Act 2003 Road Development Authority Management of Les Mare – Plaine Champagne public road running through the BENP and along the entrance of Lower Gorges. Ministry of Tourism (MoT) Develop and market of nature-based tourism activities in collaboration with NPCS that will complement the Vision of the BENP. Universities & other Institutions Biodiversity, ecosystem, cultural and ecological research in the BENP. Civil society Oral history input by local community members, contributing to research on cultural and heritage aspects of the Park and community and Mauritian Wildlife Foundation NGO involvement in ecosystem restoration work and other relevant management interventions in the park. Ministry of Public Infrastructure and Development of additional infrastructure in the Park and the Land Transport (MoPILT) maintenance of the public road that crosses the Park in line with the development guidelines as outlined in the OPS. Ministry of Housing and Lands (MoHL) The Ministry responsible for land allocations around the Park that ensures enforcement of planning laws around the BENP. Ministry of Local Government and The Ministry responsible for local governance issues that Outer Islands (MoLGOI) ensures participation of Local Government in activities around the BENP.

PART FIVE

9. Action Plan

To support the strategic objectives the following categories, each with its own specific actions, will be implemented for Bras d’Eau National Park. Table 3 is a list of Action Categories and Descriptions.

Table 3: Actions categories and description for management

Action Category Description Ecological relates to ecological management, restoration and the maintenance of ecological function and integrity Operational relates to the operational management aspects of the national park that park management staff will be responsible for on a day-to-day basis Community relates to the need to provide opportunities and benefits to communities and the broader public surrounding the national park and for the community members to be able to make inputs into the national park through clear lines of communication Visitor and tourism relates to the tourism market and visitor activities that can be developed in the national park, in an effort to provide a wide range of high quality visitor experiences and achieve a level of cost-recovery in the operation and management of the national park Marketing and related to the visitor and tourism category, this relates to the need to create awareness awareness about the national park and what it has to offer Historical cultural relates to the archaeological, cultural and historical importance of the national park Education and research relates to the potential of the national park for the promotion of education and research

Indicators Implementing Main Management activity Specific Actions Expected Outcome Timeframe (Current/Projected) Body Stakeholders Ecological Management Rehabilitate and restore Re-creation of areas of ▪ Individuals of NPCS ▪ PAN Project 2018 -2022 suitable areas of habitat natural habitat that can endemic species ▪ Mauritian within the park. support endemic animal with a secure Wildlife species. population. Foundation (MWF) ▪ CSR Projects Ongoing invasive alien plant Management and control ▪ Reduced spread of NPCS ▪ PAN Project 2018 -2022 control. of invasive plant infestations of ▪ Mauritian infestations that are invasive species. Wildlife Vegetation degrading natural habitat. ▪ No infestations in Foundation management previously cleared or ▪ CSR Projects un-infested areas. ▪ FS Retain some non-invasive Maintenance of bat and ▪ Maintain bat NPCS ▪ NPCS 2018 -2022 alien fruit species day gecko population numbers and ▪ Mauritian specifically to support bat numbers within the park. reduced pressure on Wildlife and day gecko populations. commercial fruit Foundation crops. Maintain and ▪ PAN Project enhance day gecko abundance Undertake a programme of Management and control ▪ Increased numbers NPCS ▪ Mauritian 2018 -2019 alien invasive animal of numbers of invasive of native fauna and Wildlife control. animals. flora. Foundation ▪ CSR Projects Fauna management Investigate opportunities to Re-introduction of ▪ Successful re- NPCS ▪ Mauritian 2019 - 2021 translocate endemic endemic species following introductions of Mauritian Wildlife species. feasibility assessments species. Wildlife Foundation and suitable management Foundation ▪ CSR Projects interventions.

Indicators Implementing Management activity Specific Actions Expected Outcome Main Stakeholders Timeframe (Current/Projected) Body Ecological Management (continued) Explore and implement Inclusion of the full area ▪ Ecological restoration PAN Project, ▪ NPCS 2018 - 2019 opportunities to of Mare Sarcelle within of the wetland system. NPCS ▪ Private incorporate the entire the park. landowners extent of Mare Sarcelle in Wetland management the park. Explore the potential to Declaration of Mare ▪ Gain in ecological NPCS ▪ MSSNSESD 2018 – 2019 designate Mare Sarcelle as Sarcelle as a Ramsar Site. function and value of ▪ MoAIFS a Ramsar Site. the wetland system. ▪ MHL ▪ MoLGOI Improve the design and Identification and ▪ Edge effects reduced PAN Project, ▪ NPCS 2018-2022 ecological coherence of inclusion of suitable for ecological function NPCS ▪ PAN Project the park. additional areas into the as a result of park national park. design. Ensure compatible land Demarcation of a buffer ▪ Complementary land NPCS, ▪ District councils 2018 -2022 Buffer zone use on the park’s zone within the Outline use on or near the PAN Project ▪ Village councils management and boundary and buffer zone. Planning Scheme. park’s boundary. ▪ MHL protected area Explore opportunities to Identification of linkages ▪ Inappropriate NPCS, ▪ MoLGOI 2018-2020 expansion create a marine and opportunities to development that PAN Project, ▪ MoOEMRFS component associated incorporate the beach undermines the park’s Ministry of with the park. and lagoon area as part sense of place. Fisheries of a broader protected area. Community and stakeholder management Communicate the Park’s Support of Park’s ▪ Consideration of the NPCS, ▪ Roche Noir 2018 - 2019 management processes to initiatives for fund raising community inputs into Village councils community the neighbours and build through contributions Management of the ▪ Poste de Flacq good relationships with from the neighbours Park; ▪ NPCS Stakeholder stakeholders, taking their (financial and otherwise). ▪ Change in level of ▪ Private land engagement input into consideration in involvement of owners Park Management stakeholders in the ▪ Local businesses decisions. Park’s management processes. Operational Management

Enforcement of Access control – ▪ Controlled illegal NPCS ▪ District councils 2018 - 2020 conservation laws and demarcation of the access. ▪ Village councils regulations. boundary and provision ▪ No dumping and ▪ MSSNSESD of appropriate entrance littering within the ▪ Park visitors points. park. ▪ Police Legal compliance Control of activities ▪ No illegal activities NPCS 2018 -2022 within the park within the park. Prosecution of individuals NPCS 2018 -2022 committing offences within the park. Development of a business A five-year projection of ▪ Ability to fulfil basic NPCS ▪ MoFED 2018 -2022 plan that identifies the income and expenditure management needs ▪ MoAIFS resource needs to achieve targets that will allow for identified in the the objectives of the park. the achievement of management plan. objectives. Annual budgets are set to Adequate funding for the 2018 -2022 achieve annual goals. completion of actions set Financial and human out in the annual plan of resources operation. Undertake regular skills A capable staff ▪ Adequate staff NPCS ▪ MoAIFS 2018 -2022 training and development complement, able to numbers or skills to of staff to ensure they are undertake the activities achieve the Vision, able to effectively required to effectively Mission Statements complete their duties. manage the park. and Strategic Objectives of the park. Visitor and Tourism Management Understanding the Preparation and Development and ▪ Planned and NPCS ▪ Local businesses 2018-2019 tourism market implementation of a implementation of a sustainable tourism ▪ Tourism industry feasibility study outlining tourism Master Plan for developments within ▪ MoT viable tourism options and the park. the park. ▪ MoLGOI facilities that may be Construction of visitor ▪ MoAIFS 2018-2020 considered for the park. infrastructure and facilities in the park in accordance with the Master Plan.

Integration of the park Develop partnerships with Formal arrangements ▪ Increased tourist NPCS ▪ Local businesses 2018 -2022 within the regional organisations involved in with local businesses, numbers. ▪ Tourism industry tourism market tourism and nature-based hotels and tour operators ▪ MoT activities in the region in bringing visitors to the ▪ MoAIFS an effort to integrate park. marketing efforts included in tourist routes. Marketing and awareness management Marketing and Develop and implement a Increased awareness and ▪ Increased awareness NPCS ▪ Tourism industry 2018 -2022 awareness raising programme to raise appreciation of the park. about the park and its ▪ MSSNSESD awareness about the park significance. ▪ MoAIFS and its importance. ▪ Increased awareness ▪ NPCS on safety in the Park. Education and research management Environmental Development of an Provision of regular ▪ Interest in the park’s NPCS ▪ MSSNSESD 2018 -2022 education and environmental education school and community biodiversity increased. interpretation and interpretation tours, teaching people programme within the about the environment park. and the biodiversity of Mauritius. Ecological research Ensure that the park is Improved techniques and ▪ Research plan NPCS, ▪ Tertiary 2018 -2022 included in or is aware of understanding of ▪ Effective recovery or UoM institutions any research that is being ecological restoration, restoration of natural ▪ Mauritian conducted on ecological species re-introductions habitat within the Wildlife restoration and species and recovery. park. Foundation recovery work that is happening in Mauritius. Cultural Heritage Management Documenting cultural Conduct detailed survey of Cultural heritage ▪ Surveys conducted. NPCS, ▪ MAC 2018-2019 heritage the remaining features. identified and located in ▪ Obtain features that AGTF, LMHTF ▪ NHF Bras d’Eau National Park. are dispersed. ▪ AGTF ▪ LMHTF Assess the heritage Heritage significance of ▪ Heritage significance AGTF, ▪ UoM 2018-2020 significance of the cultural the cultural heritage assessed. LMHTF ▪ AGTF heritage. established. ▪ LMHTF ▪ NHF

Prepare and implement a Research strategy and ▪ Key site for the History NPCS, ▪ UoM 2018 - 2019 research plan. planning for archaeology, of Mauritius assessed. AGTF, ▪ AGTF history, and ecology ▪ Research strategy LMHTF ▪ LMHTF established and developed. ▪ NHF implemented. Disseminate research Publish research results ▪ Dissemination of NPCS, ▪ UoM 2018 -2022 results. and conduct public knowledge within AGTF, ▪ AGTF outreach. defined. LMHTF ▪ LMHTF guidelines/framework ▪ NHF ▪ Research collaboration with relevant stakeholders. Preserving cultural Establish a zoning for Priority areas for ▪ Expertise in NPCS ▪ AGTF 2018-2019 heritage cultural heritage. conservation defined. conservation ▪ LMHTF obtained. ▪ NHF ▪ Partnership with heritage institutions established. Prepare and undertake a Preservation and ▪ Consideration made NPCS ▪ AGTF 2019-2021 programme of conservation of historic on the impact of the ▪ LMHTF conservation for historic features. conservation and ▪ NHF features. restoration. Encourage capacity Training programme ▪ Responsible entity to NPCS ▪ Training 2018 -2022 building. established for all human undertake training Institutions resources involved. designated. ▪ Responsible staff receive training. Manage cultural heritage. Establish appropriate ▪ Managed cultural NPCS and other ▪ MAC 2018 -2022 mechanism and trained heritage resources. relevant ▪ AGTF resources to manage institutions ▪ LMHTF cultural heritage at ▪ NHF national park. Interpreting cultural Prepare and implement an Interpretation of heritage ▪ Mechanism to develop NPCS ▪ MAC 2019 – 2020 heritage interpretation plan for for visitors. interpretation for ▪ AGTF cultural heritage. cultural heritage at ▪ LMHTF NPCS. ▪ NHF ▪ Interpretation of cultural and natural

heritage thought out in an integrated manner. Manage interpretation at Interpretation of heritage ▪ Designated dedicated NPCS ▪ MAC 2018 -2022 national park. managed at the level of human resource to ▪ AGTF NPCS. manage the ▪ LMHTF interpretation ▪ NHF programme. ▪ Collaboration with heritage professionals.

10. Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Intervention A simple Monitoring, Evaluating, Learning and Intervention (MELI) system should be established for Bras d’Eau National Park. The monitoring part refers to keeping track of the implementation of the Action Plan.

The evaluation part refers to the outcomes and impacts of project activities and other management activities –planned and unplanned, positive and negative. Evaluation questions relating to the results of project activities could include the following: Did it work as planned? Did it make any difference to the conservation of the park and the local community? Did it lead to measurable changes in protection of the park’s assets? Evaluation requires that a baseline be established before the inception of a particular project. This can be as simple as establishing socio- economic baseline following a set of indictors, or a state of conservation baseline using conservation indicators.

The learning part refers to ongoing learning, and especially when monitoring and evaluation is conducted. Bras d’Eau is a new national park where a degree of trial and errors is expected. One learns from one’s mistakes, and learns from one another and others.

The intervention part refers to intervention that is called for to overcome obstacles or any problem that causes an activity to stall in implementation or to build upon (expected or unexpected) successes. Therefore the MELI is a system of adaptive management, and because the park staff as well as all interested stakeholders will be involved, collective ‘ownership’ is encouraged, transparency is facilitated, and a greater degree of cooperation and support from all parties can be expected.

11. Operational plan

Each year, the park management should prepare an annual operational plan based on the Strategic Objectives, action categories and indicators contained in this plan. The park management should determine the management activities for the coming year and set targets that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely (SMART). The targets should be linked to the budget as part of performance-based budgeting for each quarter of the year. The operational plan should also be linked to the performance of the staff with goals set within the key performance areas of the staff contracts. Each year, an annual management meeting should be held to monitor and evaluate the annual operational plan. This can then be used to set the presidency for the activities that should be planned for the following year.

12. Glossary

Conservation: All efforts to retain the natural and heritage significance of a site. It includes maintenance and may include preservation, restoration, reconstruction and adaptation. It will usually be a combination of several of these strategies.

Cultural landscape: The Cultural Landscape Foundation9 elaborates further: ‘Cultural Landscapes give us a sense of place. They are part of our heritage and part of each of our lives. A Cultural Landscape is a geographic area that includes cultural and natural resources associated with an historic event, person or group of people. Cultural Landscapes are works of art, texts and narratives of cultures, and expressions of regional identity. They also exist in relationship to their ecological contexts.’ Again, Bras d’Eau National Park clearly fits these sentiments and descriptions of what Cultural Landscapes are about.

Cultural significance: Historic, scientific or social value of past, present or future generations.

Endemic species: Endemism is the ecological state of a species being unique to a defined geographic location such as the Island of Mauritius or only to a specific zone or habitat type. Organisms that are not indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are found elsewhere.

Enforcement: Enforcement in Bras d’Eau National Park is the act of carrying out duties that have been mandated by the law or by the NPCS management for the purpose of ensuring the protection of the natural and cultural resources in the park.

Environmental Impact Assessments: is a process of evaluating the likely environmental impacts of a proposed project or development, taking into account inter-related socio-economic, cultural and human- health impacts, both beneficial and adverse. This process is very crucial for any development proposals within or around the Bras d’Eau National Park.

Environmental Management Plan: An Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for Bras d’Eau National Park should be developed to ensure that all the necessary measures are identified and implemented in order to protect the environment and comply with environmental legislation. The EMP also defines the arrangements that should be put in place to ensure that the mitigation measures are implemented by including recommendations of the roles and responsibilities of any project proponents.

Heritage: Heritage is our legacy from the past. It includes those places, objects, languages, memories or cultural activities that have aesthetic, historic, scientific or social significance or some other special value bestowed on them by society.

9 See: Cultural Landscape Foundation, http://www/tclf.org/whatis.htm.

Indigenous Species: A species is indigenous to Mauritius if it originally occurred in the area due to natural processes with no human intervention.

Landscape: A collection of natural and cultural features that characterise a particular place and thus present multiple layers in the story or narrative of the place and its people.

Restoration: In this Management Plan, restoration refers to the process of assisting the recovery of some of the ecosystems in Bras d’Eau that have been damaged, degraded, or destroyed.

Rehabilitation: Is the act of restoring the forests that have been damaged due to human activities in Bras d’Eau National Park.

Stakeholders: People with an interest or concern in Bras d’Eau National Park.

Visitor: People who make a conscious decision to travel from their homes and places of residence to Bras d’Eau National Park and spend time on the site.

13. Bibliography

1. Government of the Republic of Mauritius. 1993. The Wildlife and National Parks Act (No.13 of 1993). Republic of Mauritius.

2. Government of the Republic of Mauritius. 2015. Native Terrestrial Biodiversity and National Parks Act.

3. Government of the Republic of Mauritius. 2006. The National Forest Policy. Republic of Mauritius

4. Government of the Republic of Mauritius. 1954. The Town and Country Planning Act (No. 11 of 1954). Republic of Mauritius.

5. Government of the Republic of Mauritius. 2004. The Planning and Development Act (2004). Republic of Mauritius.

6. Government of the Republic of Mauritius. 2003. Local Government Act (2003). Republic of Mauritius.

7. Government of Republic of Mauritius. 2006. The Moka Flacq District Council Area Outline Planning Scheme. Republic of Mauritius

8. Government of the Republic of Mauritius. 2006. The Pamplemousses/Rivière du Rempart District Council Planning Scheme. Republic of Mauritius.

9. Government of the Republic of Mauritius. 1972. Statutory Bodies Accounts and Audit (Act of 1972). Republic of Mauritius.

10. Mauremootoo, J.R. and Towner-Mauremootoo, C.V. 2002. Restoring Paradise: Alien species management for the restoration of terrestrial ecosystems in Mauritius and Rodrigues – current successes and future challenges.

11. Myers, N., Mittermeier, R.A., Mittermeier, C.G., da Fonseca, G.A.B., & Kent, J. (2000). Biodiversity hotspots for conservation priorities. Nature, 403, 853-858.

12. IUCN. (2012). IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1. Second edition. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iv + 32pp.

13. IUCN (2009). IUCN Protected Area Management Categories. Retrieved from http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/153745.

14. Safford, R.J. 2000. Important bird areas in Africa and associated Islands – Mauritius. Unpublished paper from http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/userfiles/file/IBAs/AfricaCntryPDFs/Mauritius.pdf.

Appendix 1: Flora in Bras d’Eau National Park

Acanthaceae Asystasia gangetica (L.) T. Anderson Herbe pistache Introduced Barleria lupulina Lindl. Piquants tac-tac Introduced Thunbergia laevis Nees Liane toupee Introduced Furcraea foetida (L.) Haw. Aloès Introduced Anacardiaceae Mangifera indica L. Manguier Introduced Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi Poivrier marron Introduced Apocynaceae Allamanda cathartica L. Allamanda Introduced Thevetia peruviana (Pers.) K. Schum. Laurier à fleurs jaunes Introduced Araceae Alocasia macrorrhiza (L.) G.Don var. macrorrhiza Via Introduced Araliaceae Polyscias maraisiana Lowry & G.M. Plunkett Bois boeuf Endemic Araucariaceae Agathis robusta (C. Moore ex F. Muell.) F.M. Bailey Kauri du Queensland Introduced Araucaria columnaris (Forst.) Hook. Pin de Cook Introduced Araucaria cunninghamii D. Don Pin de Moreton Bay Introduced Arecaceae Dictyosperma album (Bory) H. Wendl. & Drude ex Scheff. var. album Palmiste blanc End. to M& R Dypsis lutescens H. Wendl. Palmier multipliant Introduced Hyophorbe lagenicaulis (L.H. Bailey) H.E. Moore Bottle palm Endemic Latania loddigesii Mart. Latanier bleu Endemic Rhaphia farinifera (Gaertner) Hylander Raphia Introduced Veitchia merrillii (Becc.) H.E. Moore Palmier de Manille Introduced Asclepiadaceae Tylophora indica (Burm.f.) Merrill Ipéca du pays Introduced Asparagaceae Asparagus umbellulatus Bresler Asperge sauvage Native

Dracaena reflexa Lam. var. linearifolia Ayres ex Baker Bois de chandelle Native Sansevieria trifasciata Prain Snake plant Introduced Asteraceae Psiadia arguta (Pers.) Voigt Baume de l’Ile Plate Endemic Bignoniaceae Tabebuia pallida (Lindl.) Miers Tecoma Introduced Tabebuia rosea (Bertol.) DC. Pink tecoma Introduced Boraginaceae Cordia alliodora (Rhuiz ET Pavon) Oken Introduced Hilsenbergia petiolaris (Lam.) J.S. mill Bois de pipe Native Caricaceae Carica papaya L. Papayer Introduced Casuarinaceae Casuarina equisetifolia J.R. & G. Forst. subsp. Equisetifolia Filao Introduced Celastraceae Cassine orientalis (Jacq.) Kuntze Bois d’olive End. to Mas. Maytenus pyria (Willemet) N. Robson Bois à poudre Endemic Combretaceae Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Wight & Arn. Introduced Terminalia bellirica (Gaertner) Roxb. Myrobolan Introduced Terminalia catappa L. Badamier Introduced Terminalia bentzoe (L.) L.f. ssp. Bentzoe Benjoin End.M.& Reu. Convolvulaceae Ipomoea mauritiana Jacq. Introduced Ipomoea obscura (L.) Ker Gawler Introduced Cyperaceae Cyperus latifolius Native Cyperus stoloniferus Native Fimbristylis cymosa Button sedge Native Fimbristylis ferruginea Rusty sedge Native

Ebenaceae Diospyros egrettarum I.B.K. Richardson Bois d’ébène marbré Endemic Diospyros tessellaria Poiret Bois d’ébène noir Endemic Erythroxylaceae Erythroxylum sideroxyloides Lam. Bois de ronde Endemic Euphorbiaceae Acalypha indica L. Herbe chatte Introduced Margaritaria anomala (Baillon) Fosberg Bois chenille Endemic Securinega durissima J.F. Gmelin Bois manahé End. To Mas Aleurites moluccana (L.) Willd. var. moluccana Bancoulier Introduced Breynia retusa (Dennst.) Alston Mourougue marron Introduced Euphorbia hirta L. Jean Robert Introduced Fabaceae Abrus precatorius L. subsp. Precatorius Graine diable Introduced Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth. Bois noir Introduced Albizia saman (Jacq.) Merr. Rain tree Introduced Cassia fistula L. Indian laburnum Introduced Cassia javanica L. Introduced Delonix regia (Bojer ex Hook.) Raf. Flamboyant Introduced Desmanthus virgatus (L.) Willd. Petit acacia Introduced Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) De Wit Acacia Introduced Peltophorum pterocarpum (DC.) Heyne Introduced Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth. Cassie de Manille Introduced Pithecellobium unguis-cati (L.) Benth. Bread and cheese Introduced Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre Pongam Introduced Pterocarpus indicus Willd. Sang dragon Introduced Senna siamea (Lam.) Irwin & Barneby Introduced Tamarindus indica L. Tamarinier Introduced Goodeniaceae Scaevola taccada (Gaertn.) Roxb. Veloutier vert Native Lauraceae Cassytha filiformis L. Liane sans fin Native

Litsea glutinosa (Lour.) C.B. Robinson Bois d’oiseaux Introduced Persea americana P.Miller Avocatier Introduced Lythraceae Lagerstroemia speciosa (L.) Pers. Goyavier royale Introduced Malphigiaceae Hiptage benghalensis (L.) Kurz Liane cerf Introduced Malvaceae Thespesia populnea (L.) Soland. Ex Correa Ste marie Native Meliaceae Swietenia mahagoni (L.) Jacq. Mahogani Introduced Turraea trichopoda Endemic Moraceae Artocarpus altilis (Parkinson) Fosberg Fruit à pain Introduced Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. Jacquier Introduced Ficus benghalensis L. Banyan tree Introduced Ficus reflexa Thunb. Affouche à petites feuilles Native Ficus rubra Vahl Affouche rouge Endemic Myrtaceae Eucalyptus tereticornis J.E. Smith Forest red gum Introduced Eugenia lucida Lam. Bois de clous Endemic Pimenta racemosa (Miller) J.W. Moore Bay-rum tree Introduced Canavalia rosea (Swartz) Dc. Cocorico Native Psidium guajava L. Goyavier Introduced Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels Jamblon Introduced

Ochnaceae Ochna natalitia (Meisn.) Walp. Introduced Oleaceae Jasminum fluminense Vell. ssp. Mauritianum (Bojer ex DC.) Turrill Jasmin du pays Native Ligustrum robustum Blume var. walkeri (Descaine) Mansf. Privet Introduced Pandanaceae Pandanus vandermeeschii Balf.f. Vacoas Endemic

Papilionoideae Canavalia rosea Cocorico Native Passifloraceae Passiflora suberosa L. Liane poc-poc Introduced Poaceae Cynodon dactylon (Linn.) Pers. Chiendent Introduced Dactyloctenium ctenoides (Steud.) Lorch ex Bosser Introduced Heteropogon contortus (L.) P. Beauvois ex Roem. & Schult. Herbe polisson Introduced Lepturus radicans (Steud.)A. Cam Native Lepturus repens (G. Forst) R. Br. Native Panicum maximum Jacq. Herbe fataque Introduced Paspalidium geminatum (Forsk.) Stapf Herbe siflette Native Stenotaphrum dimidiatum (L.) Brongn. Gros chiendent Native Zoysia tenuifolia Willd. Ex Thiele Herbe pique fesses Native Proteaceae Grevillea robusta Cunn. Ex R.Br. Silver oak Introduced Rhamnaceae Scutia myrtina (Burm.f.) Kurz Bambara Native Rhizophoraceae Rhizophora mucronata Lam. Manglier Native Rubiaceae Coffea myrtifolia (A.Rich. ex DC.) Leroy Café marron Endemic Morinda citrifolia L. Bois tortue Introduced Paederia foetida L. Lingue Introduced Vangueria madagascariensis J.F. Gmelin Vavangue Introduced Rutaceae Zanthoxylum heterophyllum (Lam.) Smith Bois de catafaille noir Endemic Salicaceae Dovyalis caffra Warb. Kei apple Introduced Flacourtia indica (Burm.f.) Merrill Prune malgache Introduced

Santalaceae Santalum album L. Bois sandal Introduced Sapindaceae Doratoxylon apetalum (Poiret) Radlk. Bois de sagaie rouge Endemic Euphoria longan (Lour.) Steud. Longanier Introduced Litchi chinensis Sonnerat Letchi Introduced Majidea zanguebarica Kirk Pearl of Zanzibar Introduced Sapindus trifoliatus L. Savonnier Introduced Stadmania oppositifolia Poiret ssp. Oppositifolia Bois de fer Native Thymelaceae Wikstroemia indica (L.) C.A. Meyer Herbe tourterelle Introduced Tiliaceae Corchorus trilocularis L. Introduced Turneraceae Turnera angustifolia Miller Introduced Verbenaceae Lantana camara L. Vieille fille Introduced Premna serratifolia L. Bois sureau Native Stachytarpheta cayennensis (L.C.Rich.) Vahl Queue de rat Introduced Tectona grandis L.f. Teak Introduced Vitex glabrata R.Br. Bois blanc Introduced Vitaceae Cissus quadrangularis L. Vanille du Dr. Burke Introduced PTERIDOPHYTES Adiantaceae Acrostichum aureum L. Native Davalliaceae Nephrolepis biserrata (Sw.) Schott. Introduced

Appendix 2: Vertebrates10 in Bras d’Eau National Park

Mammals Scientific Name Common Name Status Herpestes auropunctatus Lesser Indian mongoose Exotic Lepus nigricollis Hare Exotic Pteropus niger Mauritius fruit bat Endemic Rattus norvegicus Brown rat Exotic Rattus rattus Black rat Exotic Tenrec ecaudatus Common tenrec Exotic Felis catus Feral cat Exotic Suncus murinus Musk shrew Exotic Macaca fascicularis Crab-eating macaque Exotic

Birds Acridotheres tristis Indian mynah Exotic Butorides striata Striated heron Native Collocalia francica Mascarene cave swiftlet Native Foudia madagascariensis Madagascar fody Exotic Lonchura punctulata Spice finch Exotic Numenius phaeopus Whimbrel Exotic Passer domesticus sparrow Exotic Ploceus cucullatus Schlug (weaver) Exotic Pycnonotus jocosus Red-whiskered bulbul Exotic Streptopelia picturata Madagascar turtle dove Exotic Streptopelia chinensis Spotted dove Exotic Terpsiphone bourbonnensis desolata M. Flycatcher/ Coq de bois Endemic Zosterops mauritianus Grey white-eye Endemic

10 Please note that this list is not exhaustive and an inventory of all the species present should be done as part of the implementation of the management plan

Reptiles Calotes versicolor Agamid lizard/ chameleon Exotic Phelsuma ornata Ornate day gecko Endemic Gehyra mutilata Stump-toed gecko Exotic Hemidactylus frenatus Common house gecko Exotic Hemiphyllodactylus typus typus Indopacific gecko Exotic Lycodon capucinus Indian wolf snake/couleuvre Exotic Ramphotyphlops braminus Flowerpot snake/ blind snake Exotic

Amphibian Amietophrynus gutturalis Guttural toad Exotic