In the fight against beach erosion in Rodrigues which is closely related to climate change, a new project using ‘GEO Textile Bags’ as retaining wall, has been extended to the village of Petite Butte. This project was launched in Grand Baie in April and was later duplicated at Caverne Provert. The village of Petite Butte is now taking advantage of it. The project consists of using bags filled with sand as retaining wall to stop beach erosion. The cost of the project, around Rs 1,9 millions, is fully financed by the Commission for Environment and has started on the 24th August.
The management of beaches has become vital in Rodrigues, since severe beach erosions have been observed in many coastal regions. This is why ecological bags, filled with sand, are installed along beaches to form a barrier against waves and thus, prevent them from crashing on the beach and washing away the sand. An agreement was signed on the 23rd August between the authorities and the village committee. The bags are filled by the villagers. « We want the villagers of Petite Butte to be involved in this project because it concerns their village. When the project will be over, they will be happy when they will look at the beach. We promote the concept of ‘community user participation’, done by the community for the community. It has already been done in Grand Baie and Caverne Provert and it is working well », says the Commissioner, Richard Payendee. The rehabilitation of the beach will also be done by planting endeminc and indigenous plants along the beach. Toilets will also be installed there. The project, which will be over a period of three months, where 1,000 bags will be installed on a distance of 110 meters long, is supervised by the technicians of the Commission for Environment. Some 60 very enthusiastic villagers are directly involved in the project and their salaries will be paid by the Commission.
