As the world has its eyes turned on Glasgow, where the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) is being held until November 12, how is Mauritius fairing when it comes to reforestation?
Tree-planting and reforestation are now increasingly viewed as sustainable climate policies that can help remedy global warming. In Pakistan, the federal government works with local authorities and various stakeholders, including international institutions, to plant 10 billion trees by 2023. Tanzania embarked on a similar project, and the government has built strong ties with the NGOs leading and implementing the project.
According to the last annual report of the Forestry Service in Mauritius, the first national tree-planting campaign was first organized in 1985 when 29,745 plants were issued free of charge to various organizations, including schools and youth organizations. Since then, 32 hectares of state lands have been reforested, 10% of which were reforested with native species.
The 2018 annual report highlights the following: “The total extent of forest cover in Mauritius, at the end of the year 2018, is estimated at 47,048 hectares representing about 25% of the total land area. More forests are found on private lands have an estimated extent of around 25,000 hectares compared to about 22,048 hectares on state lands. Approximately 14,613 hectares of land are covered with planted forests. The remaining are natural forests, most of which are badly degraded. Only around 2% of the land area of Mauritius is considered to be covered with good quality native forests.”
In 2018, some 29,745 plants were issued, free of charge, to various organizations, youth clubs, and other Ministries under the National Tree Planting Campaign. Some 115,572 plants were used by the Forestry Service for its reforestation/afforestation programs. Around 57,179 plants were sold to the public and the revenue collected was Rs 2,830,500.
A sum of Rs 19,898,034 was disbursed to raise and maintain plants in the various nurseries, the Greenhouse, and the Tree Seed Centre of the Service.
To meet its commitments to COP26, Mauritius may have to review the number of plants issued free of charge to the public, which has remained static since 1985, and the Forestry Service’s budget on raising and maintaining plants, especially native species.
