[Police de
L'Environnement - Setting-Up, Manpower, etc]
[Le
Coco Beach Hotel - Works along beach - Autorisation]
Debate No. 1 of 16.03.2004
Police de L'Environnement - Setting-Up, Manpower, etc
(No. B/33) Mr S. Sakaram
(Second Member for Vacoas and Floreal) asked the Minister
of Environment and National
Development Unit whether in regard to the Police de l’Environnement,
he will state:
when it was set up;
the total manpower attached thereto;
the number of cases established for littering, and
the amount of fines recovered.
Mr Bhagwan: Sir, the setting
up of a well-structured Police de l’Environnement to ensure compliance
with environment-related legislation was mentioned in
the President’s Address in October 2000. The Police
de l’Environnement was officially launched on 01
December 2000.
The unit is composed of 30 Police officers falling under
the jurisdiction of the Commissioner of Police. It is
based at my Ministry and operates under the direction
of the Director of Environment. It also works in close
collaboration with other enforcing agencies such as Local
Authorities, as well as the regular Police Force in ensuring
enforcement of regulations pertaining to littering, illegal
dumping, smoke emission, and noise pollution among others.
The total number of contraventions
established by the Police de l’Environnement
from 01 December 2000 to date is of the order of 12,341
of which 10,057 are
related to littering. In addition, notices have been
issued to 8,844 drivers of vehicles emitting black smoke.
A list of all contraventions established is being circulated.
(Appendix I).
The amount of fines recovered so far from the disposal
of 4,005 cases in court is of the order of Rs1,546,465.
Mr Speaker, Sir, I wish
to take this opportunity to commend the very good work
being performed by the Police
de l’Environnement. This team works on a 24-hour
basis and plays a determinant role in the enforcement
of environmental regulations.
The performance of the
Police de l’Environnement
on the field has been enhanced with the collaboration
of the public, which has kept the Ministry informed,
through our hotline, of cases of littering, illegal dumping
and any other form of pollution.
I also wish to stress
that the development of a synergy between the Police
de l ’Environnement and other
enforcing agencies has increased overall effectiveness
in the tracking of polluters in breach of environmental
law.
We shall further reinforce this effectiveness by introducing
tougher measures, including a substantial increase in
fines to be inflicted on those guilty of offences against
the environment.
Mr Nancy: May we know the number of officers working
in Rodrigues and if there is a possibility of increasing
that number?
Mr Bhagwan: We have received a request, Sir, and it
is being discussed with the Chief Island Commissioner;
but, it is a matter for them to decide with the Commissioner
of Police.
Keywords:
Police de l’Environnement,
enforcement
Debate No. 33 of 26.10.2004
Le Coco Beach Hotel - Works along beach - Autorisation
(No. B/792) Dr. A. Boolell (Second Member for Vieux
Grand Port and Rose Belle) asked the Minister of Environment
and National Development Unit whether Le Coco Beach Hotel
has applied for authorisation to undertake works/recharges
of the beach at the hotel and, if so, will be state when
was the application therefor submitted and when was it
approved.
Mr Bhagwan: Sir, with your permission, I shall reply
to both PQ No. B/792 and No. B793 together.
I am informed that Le Coco Beach hotel had on 15 September
2004 applied for the authorisation to undertake a recharge
of the beach on a group of volcanic rocks which used
to be covered by sand which had been washed away with
time. The authorisation was given on 29 September and
the hotel was advised to use sand available on their
premises.
The works were carried out between 01 to 13 October
under the supervision of the Ministry of Fisheries and
the Ministry of Environment. I have been informed by
the Ministry of Fisheries that no written representation
has been made by registered fishers of the region. However,
on 07 October 2004, about forty fishers of the region
had gathered on site and expressed some concerns on ongoing
works. Sir, works have been monitored by both Ministries
and since completion there has been no record of any
further complaint by the fishers after 09 October.
Dr. Boolell: Mr Speaker, can I ask the Minister whether
any officer of his Ministry has visited the site prior
to the work and whether there was an agreement that the
works would be minor, and that there would be no stones
or sand brought from elsewhere? Instead rocks and sand
would be used from the vicinity.
Mr Bhagwan: Officers from both Ministries have been
on site; there have been minor works and sand of the
Coco Beach itself was used and some boulders were put
on the border, which is normal.
Keywords: beach recharge, sand
