Executive Summary

The flora and fauna of Mauritius and its offshore islets has evolved through millions of years of isolation and adaptation, and is characterised by a high diversity and endemicity that is particularly susceptible to population declines and extinction. Much of the native flora and fauna has disappeared over the past 400 years of human settlement, and many components of the remainder are internationally recognized as threatened and vulnerable. The major threat to biodiversity is the continuing degradation by invasive exotic species and human activities on the 1.6 % of the land that remains as native habitat.

This report is the development strategy for the proposed Islets National Park, the prime objective of which is the protection and conservation of the remnant native animal and plant populations that still exist on relatively isolated lagoon and offshore islets. The 16 islets that are the focus of this report were identified by the Islets National Park Task Force 2002, and are comprised of existing Nature Reserves under the Forest and Reserve Act of 1983 and those slated to be designated as the Islets National Park. They are extremely varied in size, geological composition, remoteness, accessibility, conservation value and rehabilitation potential. Management plans are to be developed for all of these islets.

The strategic plan has three main themes:

1. The development of a management strategy for protection and enhancement of the existing natural resources, local environment and conservation of native species;

2. Encouraging support for conservation efforts through public awareness campaigns, education, and by the use of some islets to raise awareness of biodiversity and conservation issues through the provision of research, educational and recreational facilities; and

3. The enforcement of laws that prevent habitat degradation and destruction, littering, poaching and theft of protected plant and animal species

Following recommendations from the participatory workshops the islets have been grouped in terms of their geographical distribution; to facilitate this it was agreed to include Bernache as an additional islet to the sixteen under consideration as it formed a natural geographical grouping with Ile d’Ambre.

The individual islets are then classified in terms of their proposed designation. The main purpose of the designation is to make apparent and easily understood the degree of access allowed to the individual islets. This will facilitate understanding by the general public, and enable more effective policing and enforcement. Two designations were agreed upon: Open Reserve and Closed Reserve.

The Closed Reserves are strictly for the purpose of conservation and protection of native biodiversity and access is restricted to authorized personnel for the purposes of monitoring, enforcement and restoration of native habitat. Open Reserves can be multipurpose with an array of activities allowed, ranging from protection, conservation, research, eco-tourism, education, and public awareness to recreation.

The range of activities has been determined through consideration of each individual islet’s potential in supporting the three major themes of the strategic plan; and their current value in terms of:

- Native species biodiversity;
- Cultural importance;
- Naturalness and habitat fragility; and
- Current use and potential for restoration.