Environment - Preservation of Biodiversity and Natural Resources

MAURICE ILE DURABLE CONSULTATIVE WORKSHOPS 14 JUNE – 29 JULY 2011 Working Group 2 ENVIRONMENT - PRESERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY AND NATURAL RESOURCES Final Report 15 August 2011 1 Preamble The diversity of plant and animal life is vital to the very survival of life on this planet. It contributes in an integral and integrated way to ecosystem functions, goods and services, among them, nutrient recycling, plant pollination, provision of food and energy, control of erosion, pest and disease control, air and water purification, climate stabilisation, detoxification of waste products, etc. For a healthy and productive biological diversity, it is imperative that the ecological habitats in which the plant and animal species live must also be maintained in their natural, healthy state. This in turn requires that the natural environment be preserved and protected in as pristine a state as is possible. Even economic development is not possible without environmental sustainability. Hence a Sustainable Environment is a sine qua non condition for all aspects of Sustainable Development. Government‟s vision of Maurice Ile Durable rests on five pillars, namely Energy, Environment, Employment, Education and Equity. Achieving sustainability in all of these would help to bring together all the ingredients necessary to put our small island state firmly on the path to realising the dream of being a global model for Sustainable Development. With respect to biodiversity and natural resources, the MID vision for our present and future generations is as follows: 1. Our nation is environmentally conscious, adopts a sustainable lifestyle and acts responsibly. 2. Our natural resources including biodiversity, historical and cultural heritage are effectively managed, protected, monitored and used in a sustainable manner. 3. Our nation enjoys security in terms of water and food and a high quality of life in a clean, green, zero waste and pollution free environment. A working group on Preservation of Biodiversity was set up by the Ministry of Environment & Sustainable Development (MoESD) in collaboration with the PMO‟s office, with representatives from governmental institutions, private institutions, Non-Governmental Organisations, Trade Unions and the Civil Society, to undertake the national consultations on the theme Biodiversity. 2 The objectives of the working group, referred to as Working Group 2 (WG2) were to formulate through a series of working sessions, practically acceptable proposals and associated targeted action plans for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in order to achieve the MID vision. A two day working session during which was discussed the theme Biodiversity amongst others was carried out with representatives from the governmental and private institutions in Rodrigues. The animation team prepared a Base Paper (Annex 2), which served as the basis of the discussions of the WG2. The Base Paper outlined the current status of our biodiversity and natural resources in the Republic of Mauritius and outer islands, the existing legislation and policies, and the gaps and constraints in their implementation. It made reference to a large number of national strategy and action plans, annual reports and other official documents, research documents, the MID Green Paper and the MID documents prepared by the University of Mauritius on Sustainable Agriculture, and Ecotourism. This base paper was sent to all participants of WG2 prior to the first Working Session. The WG2 met on four occasions (Annex 3) at La Cannelle, Domaine des Pailles. In addition, three additional meetings were held to discuss further on the recommendations of the working group. At the four formal Working Sessions, discussions were held in subgroups, and validated by all participants during plenary sessions. While, in general there was unanimity among all participants on almost all issues, on a very few points, there was disagreement among different stakeholders. These have been duly recorded in this document. All measures proposed apply equally to the islands of Mauritius, Rodrigues, and the other outer islands. 3 Acknowledgements The members of the Animation Team wishes to thank all the participants of the MID Consultative Working Group (WG2) on Preservation of Biodiversity and Natural Resources for their dedication, valuable guidance and commitment during the workshops and in producing this report. Members of the Animation Team: Mrs Sauzier. Jaqueline. Chairperson Mr Teeluck Jay Prakash Vice Chairperson Dr Facknath Sunita Rapporteur Dr Bhagooli Ranjeet Vice Rapporteur Mrs Neermala Seenarain Representative from the Ministry of Environment & Sustainable Development Mr Puttoo Manikchand Representative from the National Parks & Conservation Service, Ministry of Agriculture & Food (Lead Ministry) 4 Table of Contents Content Page Number Preamble 2 Acknowledgements 4 Table of Contents 5 List of Acronyms 6 Executive Summary 8 1.0 Introduction 11 2.0 Methodology & Approach 14 3.0 Gaps & Challenges 16 3.1 Legislation and Enforcement 16 3.2 Know, Conserve and Protect Biodiversity and Natural Resources 26 3.3 Mechanisms for Sustainable Management of Biodiversity and Natural 55 Resources 3.4 Capacity Building, and Research and Development 64 3.5 Consolidate the future of MID 70 4.0 Way forward towards sustainable management of Biodiversity and Natural 73 Resources 5.0 References 79 Annex 1. Recommended Actions for Biodiversity and Natural Resources 80 Protection for the Short Term, Medium Term and Long Term. Annex 2. Base Paper 130 Annex 3. Schedule of meetings 151 Annex 4. Report on working session in Rodrigues, 22-23 June 2011 152 Annex 5. List of Participants 158 5 List of Acronyms AAP Africa Adaptation Programme AFRC Albion Fisheries Research Center AREU Agricultural Research and Extension Unit BRGNP Black River Gorges National Park CBO Community Based Organisation CMA Conservation Management Area COP Code of Practice CSER Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility CSR Corporate Social Responsibility CWA Central Water Authority EIA Environmental Impact Assessment EMS Environment Management System ESA Environmentally Sensitive Area EU European Union FAD Fish Aggregating Devices FS Forestry Services GAP Good Agricultural Practice GEF Global Environment Fund GIS Geographical Information System GMO Genetically Modified Organism HACCP Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point IAS Invasive Alien Species ICZM Integrated Coastal Zone Management IPR Intellectual Property Right IRS Integrated Resort Scheme LAVIMS Land Administration and Valuation Information Management System MAAS Multi Annual Adaptation Strategy MDG Millennium Development Goal MoAFS Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security 6 MOI Mauritius Oceanography Institute MPA Marine Protected Area MSIRI Mauritius Sugar Industry Research Institute MWF Mauritian Wildlife Foundation NCG National Coast Guard NDS National Development Strategy NEF National Empowerment Foundation NGO Non-Governmental Organisations NIASSAP National Invasive Alien Species Strategy and Action Plan NPCS National Parks Conservation Service NPPO National Plant Protection Office PAN Protected Area Network PMO Prime Minister‟s Office PPG Planning Policy Guidelines PPP Public and Private Partnership R&D Research and Development REDD Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation RES Real Estate Scheme SADC Southern African Development Community SEA Strategic Environmental Assessment SEMPA South East Marine Protected Area SIDPR Sustainable Integrated Development Plan for Rodrigues SIDS Small Island Developing States SWIO South Western Indian Ocean UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UoM University of Mauritius VAT Value Added Tax 7 Executive Summary The Government has placed environmental issues high in its order of priorities for making Mauritius a sustainable island. A large number of policies, laws, regulations and guidelines have been formulated to ensure that the various facets of our natural and built environment remain clean, healthy and productive. However, gaps and discrepancies in the legislation and fragmentation of jurisdiction, coupled with dispersed institutional responsibilities and poor implementation and enforcement, undermines legal and institutional authority, leading to failures in achieving the high standards expected by Government and society. It is recommended to develop and promulgate a single Biodiversity Act that will encompass all the various facets of the country‟s terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity, including its protection, management, preservation and use for the benefit of one and all. It is further proposed that a new Ministry be created-the Ministry of Ecology and Sustainable Development, which will be responsible, inter alia, for all the various aspects of the identification, investigation, archiving, study, management, preservation and sustainable utilisation of ecosystems in all sectors of the economy. The Biodiversity Act must come under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Ecology and Sustainable Development. Pending the establishment of these two core instruments necessary for preservation of the biodiversity and natural resources, it is proposed that a Gap Analysis of existing legislation and regulations be carried out with a view to updating and harmonising them. This should be followed by allocation of clear, unambiguous mandates to existing institutions and organisations for the various components of biodiversity

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