Africa-Press – Mauritius. The Beach Management Plan Project (Phase 1) at Mont Choisy Beach, to the tune of some Rs 12,5 million, was inaugurated on 09 April 2022, by the Minister of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change, Mr Kavydass Ramano.
The Minister of Arts and Cultural Heritage, Mr Avinash Teeluck, the Parliamentary Private Secretary, Dr Anjiv Ramdhany, and the Chairman of the Beach Authority, Mr Daniel Laurent, were also present.
The Beach Management Plan (Phase 1) is funded by the National Environment and Climate Change Fund and is being implemented on four public beaches as a start namely at Mont Choisy, Flic en Flac, Belle Mare, and La Prairie.
In his address, Minister Ramano highlighted that our public beaches are important coastal assets which need to be protected, preserved, and maintained.
He recalled that, with regards to beach management, the Beach Authority in line with one of its objectives, came with a new concept of development through the implementation of Beach Management Plans on our public beaches.
According to him, beaches need to be managed in a professional manner where hygiene and proper sanitation exist so that the public and tourists can enjoy the beaches fully.
He announced that this Tuesday at the National Assembly, the Beach Authority Bill would be promulgated in a bid to give more powers to the Beach Authority to sanction those who commit offences on beaches.
He underlined that the Beach Authority plays a very important role in the preservation of the coastal zones and the protection of the biodiversity. The Authority is also called upon to make the beaches livelier in terms of activities, he added.
Minister Ramano further pointed out that in order to make beaches accessible to all members of the public, including those with disabilities, Government has launched a tender exercise to that effect.
The Beach Authority also envisages to set up food courts on several identified public beaches when the second phase of the project is completed, he said.
Speaking about rehabilitation of beaches, he underlined that the Beach Authority has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Mauritius Prisons Service which makes provision for prisoners to participate in the rehabilitation of beaches project.
For his part, Minister Teeluck lauded the Beach Authority for the project which will redesign the landscape of Mont Choisy Beach. He stated that the project is two-pronged as it will on one hand help to restore and beautify this public space and on the other hand, it will help in the economic recovery of the country through its touristic sector.
He further appealed to the Environment Minister to rehabilitate the Grand Baie Beach which is prey to severe erosion. It is important to carry out embellishment and infrastructural works on the beach so as to restore it, he said.
Dr Anjiv Ramdhany also dwelt on the importance of healthy beaches. They are not only paramount to our quality of life but also protect people and property along the coasts from unjustified human activities and natural processes through the impact of climate change effects, he said.
According to him, the Beach Management Plan is of vital importance for the Beach Authority as it provides an integrated framework in its decision-making process to ensure sustainable development of our public beaches.
This will also be a reference and an important guide for the future development leading towards high quality public beaches, he added. He also underlined that mini reforestation projects are being carried out across the country with the objective of restoring biodiversity and fighting the climate crisis.
The Beach Management Plan (Phase 1) The Beach Management Plan (Phase 1) at Mont Choisy was awarded on 27 July 2021 to Contractor Prakash Foolchund Co Ltd. Works started on 10 August 2021 and was completed on 24 December 2021.
The following was implemented as part of the project: parking area 56 vehicles including four disabled parking and four delivery bays; two open showers; 20 Bins; 10 Picnic tables; Open gym; landscaping works; solar lighting installation.
A total of 180 casuarina trees were removed for the implementation of the project and 600 trees/plants were planted on site (250 bottle palm trees, 250 palmiste paques and 100 Duranta Gold), that is, more than three times the quantity of trees removed.
For Beach Management Plan (Phase 1) at Flic en Flac, Belle Mare and La Prairie, the projects are on track and are expected to be completed before end of this year.
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