Environment

Techniciens, scientifiques et décideurs doivent impérativement pour éviter une catastrophe écologique

Ce qui se passe à Mare Chicose depuis une dizaine de jours est très grave, et pour le pays et pour la santé de la population. Quoique les autorités se veuillent rassurantes en insistant que la fumée dégagée de cet incendie n’est pas une menace pour la santé publique, cela passe comme une boutade publique. Est-ce qu’il y a une fumée qui ne soit toxique pour la santé humaine ? Les responsables des pompiers ne savent plus avec exactitude quand ils pourront mettre un terme à cette catastrophe écologique

Ce qui est rapporté dans les médias est très révélateur’ car les habitants des régions avoisinantes ne peuvent plus supporter cette fumée et sont contraints de vivre en prisonniers chez eux avec portes et fenêtres fermées 24 sur 24. Et on parle même de la pollution de l’eau dans les régions proches dont la rivière qui passe à côté du centre d’enfouissement.

Il est grand temps que le gouvernement se mette impérativement autour d’une table commune réunissant techniciens, scientifiques et décideurs publiques dont des ministres et députés pour dégager une solution pratique. Il y a déjà de nombreux rapports qui dorment dans les tiroirs du ministère de l’environnement qui ont mis à l’index les dangers que représente le site de Mare Chicose.

L’île Maurice n’a pas besoin d’un rapport additionnel et superflu qui servira de repas aux mites. Il est temps de dépoussiérer les rapports existants et trouver des solutions pragmatiques qui tiennent compte prioritairement de la santé publique.

Est-ce trop demander à ce gouvernement de faire un tout petit effort pour penser au bien-être de la population et surtout sa santé…Sinon demain sera trop tard !!

The moratorium for the banning of the following non-biodegradable single use plastic products has been extended up to 14 January 2023 – (a) plastic bowls and cups used solely for the packaging of food products such as dairy products; and (b) plastic trays for the Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) of food such as fresh meat and pre-cooked/cooked food products for the purpose of extended shelf life.

New arrangements are being put in place for incineration and burial of persons deceased with COVID-19. The hours of operation of incinerators and cemeteries would be revised as follows – (a) incinerator facilities would be operational from 0800 hours instead of 09 00 hours so as to cater for a maximum of four incinerations per day up to midnight; and (b) late night burial would be allowed up to midnight instead of 22 00 hours. Officers of the Civil Status Office and Health Offices would be on call as from 06 00 hours in the morning for issue of relevant permits for incineration and beyond 22 00 hours for issue of permits for late night burial up to midnight.

One of the most visible consequences of global warming is the rising sea levels. In Mauritius, there is an increase of more than 5mm every year … and by the end of this century the sea will be 49 cm higher. Two major causes of this increase are: the collapsing glaciers and the ocean which expands under high temperatures. The ocean has the capacity to absorb a lot of heat from CO2, but not all of the heat it receives. This global phenomenon increases the frequency of flooding and accentuates coastal erosion … situations to which its inhabitants must adapt.

The ocean is now a key element in climate negotiations. There are some 250,000 species that live in the waters of the planet. So many species, not counting flora, which are directly threatened by climate change. With us, the most visible effect is the bleaching of the corals. 80 to 90% of our corals are no longer viable. But there is also talk of migration of marine species and a drop in catches, compared to 30 years ago. NGOs and authorities agree that change must come from us, citizens, and that requires increased awareness.

The ocean is now a key element in climate negotiations. There are some 250,000 species that live in the waters of the planet. So many species, not counting flora, which are directly threatened by climate change. With us, the most visible effect is the bleaching of the corals. 80 to 90% of our corals are no longer viable. But there is also talk of migration of marine species and a drop in catches, compared to 30 years ago. NGOs and authorities agree that change must come from us, citizens, and that requires increased awareness.

Mauritius’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) were approved Tuesday by the Inter-Ministerial Council on Climate Change meeting in Port-Louis.

One of the key objectives of the NDC is to reduce the local greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by year 2030. “To this end, some USD 6,5 billion will be required to successfully implement the NDC. Out of these, USD 4,5 billion will be used for adaptation purposes and USD 2 billion for mitigation purposes.

Local financing to the tune of USD 2,3 billion are expected to come from Government and the private sector, while the rest will be financed from external sources.

The government of Mauritius has announced that it will declare sandal wood as a protected plant, following numerous reports that several groups of people have been entering private properties and State lands illegally to cut these trees for the purpose of procuring the said wood for exportation.

In a communiqué, the government said that there has been a rise in the felling of tree species Santalum album commonly known as sandal wood, a culturally significant tree species which form part of the few trees growing on dry lowland landscape of the country.

It emphasized that with a view to halting the destruction and theft of the sandal wood, the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security would stop the issue of phytosanitary certificate for export of sandal wood by the National Plant Protection Office as an immediate measure and it will also declare sandal wood as a protected plant.