Mauritius, a small island developing state (SIDS), is located in
the South West Indian Ocean. Its total land area is around 1865 Km2 for a population of nearly 1.3
million. The island of Mauritius was originally covered mostly with a
dense tropical forest comprising a lot of unique species of fauna and
flora. Unfortunately, due to deforestation, most of the native forests have disappeared together with rare animal and plant species including the
famous Dodo, which has become a symbol of extinction worldwide.
The remnants of the native forest are now mostly confined to
mountain tops, gorges and other inaccessible areas. However, these
forests still harbour a rich biological diversity of fauna and flora with high
level of endemism. The island has been identified as a Centre of Plant
Diversity by IUCN, and Mascarenes (Mauritius, La Reunion and Rodrigues) have
been included in the Madagascar and Indian Ocean islands biodiversity hotspot.
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Remnant of Ebony & Bois D'Olive Native Forest at Anse Jonchée
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Mauritius faces several challenges that impact its forests and
biodiversity: small size, high population density, limited resources,
dependence on international trade, highly vulnerable to natural as well as
environmental disasters (global warming, sea level rise, tsunamis, flooding,
cyclones, etc.). Today the main threats to forests and biodiversity are
invasive alien species, deforestation and climate change.
We have a mammoth task to reverse the trend of forest loss and
degradation, and consequent loss of biodiversity. Although the challenge
is daunting, we believe that a sustainable forest future is still possible in
Mauritius with the collaboration of all stakeholders and international
organizations.
Anse Jonchee Forest is a natural storehouse for native seedlings from which several govt and private nurseries are drawing their stock of planting materials. Conservation works have to be constantly carried out so as to keep the supply of seedlings sustainable.
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