Africa-Press – Mauritius. An endemic garden, aiming at fostering a harmonious co-existence between primary students and the biosphere, was inaugurated by the Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security, Mr Teeruthraj Hurdoyal, yesterday, at the Bel Ombre Government School.
The event, organised by the National Parks and Conservation Service (NPCS), operating under the aegis of the Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security, marked the International Day for Biosphere Reserves, which is celebrated annually on 03 November.
The Director, NPCS, Mr Kevin Ruhomaun, and other personalities were also present on this occasion. In his address, Minister Hurdoyal recalled that the Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme was launched by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in 1971.
The primary objective of this programme, he highlighted, is to establish a scientific basis to enhance man-nature relationships, by emphasising on safeguarding biosphere reserves that encompass terrestrial, coastal, and marine ecosystems.
Furthermore, Minister Hurdoyal informed that Mauritius is a compliant member of both the World Network of Biosphere Reserves and the World Network of Island and Coastal Biosphere Reserves. On this note, he added that the Black River Gorges was designated as a buffer zone in 1994.
Mr Hurdoyal, moreover, underscored that Bel Ombre will be the first village in Mauritius to be renowned internationally as a biosphere reserve, by being part of the UNESCO MAB Programme and the Black River Gorges Bel Ombre Biosphere Reserve.
Government’s vision, he affirmed, is to include more villages in the list of biosphere reserves and to promote sustainable development. Extending his gratitude to the private stakeholders for their collaboration, the Agro-Industry Minister stressed the significance of sensitising local people on biosphere preservation.
He urged for a collective effort and commitment in embracing environmentally-friendly practices to boost ecological stability and resilience. In addition, Minister Hurdoyal underlined the need to inculcate agricultural and environmental education to children.
He thus encouraged the primary students present to engage in gardening during school holidays. Backyard gardening, he asserted, will help to promote self-sufficiency, and can possibly gear students towards pursuing a career in agriculture.
For his part, Mr Ruhomaun indicated that the launching of the Bel Ombre Biosphere Reserve has been pivotal in integrating the local community, associations, and private stakeholders into preserving the ecosystem.
In this line, the NPCS Director observed that the endemic garden in the Bel Ombre Government School will promote the ecological engagement of children who represent the legacy for the future of the country.
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