[Riviere Cocos - Eco-village Project] [Vacoas & Floreal – River Banks – Upgrading] [Trou Vire Islet - Food Hawkers – Ecological Impact] [Buses - carbon emitting – penalties] [Ilot Mangenie, Ile aux Cerfs & Trou Viré Islet - Water Channel]

Debate No. 7 of 10.05.11

RIVIERE COCOS - ECO-VILLAGE PROJECT

                (No. B/292) Mr J. F. François (Third Member for Rodrigues) asked the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development whether in regard to sustainable development in Rodrigues, he will state where matters stand as to the implementation of an Eco-Village Project at Rivière Cocos.

Mr Virahsawmy: We will launch tenders for recruiting consultants by13 May 2011 for the implementation of the Eco-Village project in Mauritius and Rodrigues.  The appointed consultants will hold consultation with all relevant stakeholders at Rivière Coco and would be responsible for the preparation of a Master Plan, detailed design and bid documents and supervision of works.

In the context of the implementation of this project, I have been invited by hon. Von-Mally to visit Rodrigues and I propose to do so very soon.

Keywords: Riviere Cocos, Eco-village

 

Debate No.3 of 05.04.11

VACOAS & FLOREAL - RIVER BANKS - UPGRADING

            (No. B/116) Ms S. Anquetil (Fourth Member for Vacoas & Floreal) asked the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development whether, in regard to the banks along the Bernica and Cizor Rivers in Glen Park, the Randabel River and the Canal Carreaux Belin No. 2 in Henrietta, La Digue in La Vanille, the Rivière Sèche at Pont Lolo and the Pont Becherel in Lapeyrousse,  in Constituency No. 16, Vacoas and Floreal, he will state if consideration will be given for upgrading, cleaning and embellishment works to be carried out thereat.

            Mr Virahsawmy: Mr Speaker, Sir, consideration will be given for upgrading, cleaning and embellishment of the sites.  Joint site visits will be organised soon with the Ministry of Local Government and Outer Islands and the hon. Member to finalise works to be undertaken.

Keywords: River Banks, Upgrading

Debate No. 10 of 31.05.11

TROU VIRE ISLET - FOOD HAWKERS – ECOLOGICAL IMPACT

 (No. B/458) Mr D. Khamajeet (Second Member for Flacq & Bon Accueil) asked the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development whether, in regard to the Trou Viré islet, he will state if, following the decision to relocate the food hawkers from the Ile aux Cerfs thereto, his Ministry has carried out any assessment regarding the ecological impact thereof on the islet and on the marine eco-system around the islet indicating if the mangroves found around the islet will have to be uprooted in favour of any development thereof.

The Minister of Tourism and Leisure (Mr N. Bodha): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, with your permission, I shall reply to this question.

I am pleased to note that, further to the reply I made to PQ Nos. B/250 and B/256 at the sitting of the National Assembly on 19 April 2011, we have triggered some healthy debates regarding the upliftment, preservation and maintenance of Ile aux Cerfs and the neighbouring islets.

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, there is a general consensus for an urgent need to cater for the preservation of the ecosystem of all our islets and to provide the best facilities for all the stakeholders carrying an activity there.

In fact, it is good to point out that we are concerned, not only with Ile aux Cerfs, but also with the other islets such as Ile aux Bénitiers and Ile d’Ambre, which also have high touristic potential and which need to be preserved.

The Trou Viré islet project actually forms part of the Ile aux Cerfs project which needs to be preserved in view of its iconic status, as I stated last time.

One of the priorities of my Ministry is, in fact, to ensure the sustainable development of the industry and to take appropriate initiatives to preserve the pristine cachet of the natural touristic sites of Mauritius which we market extensively as an eco-friendly destination. 

We have, in this context, been at all times working in close collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, the Ministry of Agro-Industry and other stakeholders.  M. le président, nous avons un devoir de donner l’exemple.

Let me reassure the House that my Ministry will ensure that all necessary clearances are sought and obtained and all procedures are duly complied with prior to the starting of any work at Trou Viré islet.  As I said, we should set the example.

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am informed that, at this stage, a consultant has already been appointed to work on the concept plan in order to transform the Trou Viré islet into a suitable location for all the barbecue operators.  For the purpose of this assignment, the consultant has been advised to be guided by the following main principles -

(a)                sanitary and hygienic requirements of the project;

(b)                security, and

(c)                above all, integration of the project within the existing environmental set-up and need to preserve the natural cachet of the islet and also to cater for all those stakeholders who are already present on the islets.

I am further informed that the Forestry Division of the Ministry of Agro-Industry has already carried out a survey of the islet as regards to the fauna on 09 May 2011.

The proposed development at Trou Viré islet will be strictly in line with the recommendations of the report to be submitted by the Forestry Division.

Insofar as the mangroves are concerned, I have been advised that none will be uprooted.

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, once the concept plan will be ready, my Ministry will ensure that any further study, including all ecological assessments on the islet, as appropriate, as well as an application for an EIA will be undertaken accordingly.  We will then present the plan to all stakeholders.

Mr Khamajeet: Having heard the Minister saying that everything will be protected for any development, many operators are saying that they are being removed from Ilot Mangénie and are displaced to Trou Viré in order to allow high market villa development on these islands.  Can I ask the hon. Minister if he can confirm whether there will be any such development there?

Mr Bodha: I can confirm to the House, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, that there has never been such a project and I do not think that we should allow such a project on Ilot Mangénie.  I can assure the House on this.

Mr Bérenger: Can I know who the consultant is and how he was chosen?

Mr Bodha: In fact, the services of the consultant have been chosen by the hotel group and we have approved it.  In fact, it is Gilles Moorghen who was the consultant who designed the La Cuvette project when we implemented the project together.

Keywords: Trou Vire Islet, food hawkers, ecological impact

 

Debate No. 8 of 17.05.11

BUSES - CARBON EMITTING - PENALTIES

(No. B/323) Mr J. Seetaram (Second Member for Montagne Blanche & GRSE) asked the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development whether, in regard to buses, he will state if Government proposes to amend the legislation to make provision for tougher penalties for those emitting carbon.

Mr Bachoo: Mr Speaker, Sir, our existing Road Traffic (Control of Vehicle Emission) Regulation dates back as far as 2002.  They make reference to Euro I standard when today we have Euro IV standard.  We are in the process of reviewing our existing regulations, at the same time, penalty will be tougher. 

Mr Bérenger: Mr Speaker, Sir, can I ask the hon. Minister whether he has taken note of the number of Police and CNT vehicles that are polluting our roads?

Mr Bachoo: Mr Speaker, Sir, that is the reason why I have mentioned that we are going to review our laws and, at the same time, I would like to inform the House that we are under the process of procuring ten modern smoke meters. In fact, the evaluation is on. I am aware of the problem that is being caused as a result of smoke emission. Further I can assure the House that all actions will be taken to diminish it.

Mr Bhagwan: The situation is very alarming. Although we have read that the Ministry of Environment is purchasing equipment and so on, I consider that there is no concerted action, it is not only one Ministry; it is the Ministry of Environment, the Police and the Minister responsible. There is no concerted effort from what we see. Can the Minister inform the House whether recently there have been meetings chaired by him with all the different stakeholders and that firm action has been taken? Can the Minister give us a case where the licence of one bus has been revoked? Give us, at least, one case.

Mr Speaker: Put your question!

Mr Bhagwan: Normally when you take one you refer it to the NTA. Give us one case and everybody will see what is happening on the road.

Mr Bachoo: I am not in a position to say whether the licences have been revoked, but at least, actions are being taken. I can assure the hon. Member that, in fact, there is a committee which has been set up and we have also taken decisions; we have reduced the sulphur content in our diesel. Actually, I can inform the House that we want to reduce it to 50 ppm and the meetings are on. Once we procure the new meters, I do hope that actions will be taken and this question of our environment getting a bit more polluted will come down.

Mr Bhagwan: I have one last question, Sir. I think it’s time for action and hard action. Whatever sensitisation is done, people are dying. They are having asthma and other types of diseases. Can I request the hon. Minister to take action, hard action?  If you ask me: “when have you seen one jeep of the Environment Police on the road these days?”  Government, itself, has taken action to reduce the…

Mr Speaker: You are making a statement.  Put the question!

Mr Bhagwan: I am asking the Minister whether he will liaise with his colleagues to give more means to the Environment Police that action be taken on the road, even to seize motor vehicles?

Mr Speaker: Yes!

Mr Bachoo: Mr Speaker, Sir, I have just mentioned that the regulations are being reviewed over again and tougher punishment should be imposed.

Mr Hossen: Pertaining to the issue of coordination, is it not true that there is an Environment Coordination Committee under the aegis of the Ministry of Environment which means on a monthly basis to assure coordination of environment issues?

Mr Bachoo:  I have already mentioned that we have a committee which sits monthly and, Mr Speaker, Sir, I can mention the actions which are being taken: the conduct, the thorough review of the existing natural regulations and incentives to promote cleaner and more fuel efficient vehicles in Mauritius. We are trying to develop and follow the implementation of cleaner fuel and vehicle policies. We are coming up with a roadmap for the introduction of lower sulphur content from 500 ppm to 50 ppm.

Keywords: Buses, carbon emitting, penalties

 

Debate No. 14 of 28.06.11

ILOT MANGENIE, ILE AUX CERFS & TROU VIRÉ ISLET - WATER CHANNEL

(No. B/581) Mr D. Khamajeet (Second Member for Flacq & Bon Accueil) asked the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development whether, in regard to Ilot Mangénie, Ile aux Cerfs, the Trou Viré Islet and the surroundings, he will state if, following the site visit he effected thereat, accompanied by officials of his Ministry –

(a)        it has been observed that the water channel found between Ile aux Cerfs and Ilot Mangénie is obstructed by sand and, if so, the remedial actions that will be undertaken;

(b)        any impact assessment has been carried out regarding the golf course on the Ile aux Cerfs, the degradation of the surroundings and the quality of water, and

(c)        his Ministry will carry out a study on the ecological impact on that region.

            Mr Virahsawmy: Mr Speaker, Sir, as regards part (a), the water channel between Ile aux Cerfs and Ilot Mangenie is, in fact, obstructed due to accumulation of sand.  During the joint site visit it was also observed that beaches were eroded at certain places and parts of a water pipeline were exposed at both Ilot Mangénie and Ile aux Cerfs representing a hazard to beach users.

As a short term remedial measure, my Ministry in collaboration with other relevant Ministries has agreed to a proposal submitted by Sun Resorts International to rehabilitate the channel by removing the accumulated sand and using same to refurbish the eroded beaches of Ilot Mangénie. The rehabilitation of the channel would be an immediate measure and will be monitored closely during and after completion of the works.

My Ministry is also envisaging a holistic study which will be carried out on erosion and accretion of sand in the area by a team of consultants who will come up with long term remedial measures.

      I would also wish to inform the house that an EIA licence was issued to Sun Resorts International Ltd on 01 August 2003 for the laying of a pipeline for potable water supply from Ile aux Cerfs to Ilot Mangénie. The pipeline was laid under the sand at a depth of 0.5m and works were completed in November 2003.  Following the site visit and my intervention immediate remedial action has been taken by Sun Resorts to cover the exposed pipe.

            With regard to part (b), the carrying out of any impact assessment is under the responsibility of the Ministry of Fisheries and Rodrigues and I am informed that the latter regularly monitors both the marine environment and the sea water quality in the surroundings of Ile aux Cerfs. 

            As regards part (c), a study on the ecological impact can be carried out when undertaking a holistic study on erosion and accretion of sand in that region as envisaged.

Mr Khamajeet:  Can I ask the hon. Minister whether the decision to stop extracting sand from the lagoon has contributed to the obstruction of that particular channel between Ilot Mangenie and Ile aux Cerfs?

Mr Virahsawmy: I am not a marine engineer, Mr Speaker, Sir, to answer to that.

Mr Bérenger: I listened carefully to the hon. Minister.  Am I right in what I heard?  There was a site visit by Ministers and technicians; there was a proposal by Sun Resorts to remove the sand and this was agreed to, without expert analysis of what caused the accumulation of sand, whether it was that pipe or not? 

Mr Virahsawmy: The decision was not taken at the site visit.  The decision was taken after the site visit in a joint meeting with technicians and representatives of Sun Resorts International and we have taken the decision as a first measure.  We had to take immediate decisions.  The second measure will be medium and long term decision where consultants will be appointed to evaluate and study why there has been this accumulation of sand.  We have to take an immediate decision to liberate the channel so that there is a proper flow of water.  But this has been taken jointly by the Ministry, by technicians and qualified people.

Mr Bérenger: The decision has been to remove the sand there.  Will the hon. Minister see to it that due care is taken?  Because we could be adding insult to injury; if the removal of that sand is not strictly controlled and supervised, it could make matters worse.

Mr Virahsawmy: I have said in my reply, Mr Speaker, Sir, that this will be done under close and proper monitoring by the different Ministries.

Mr Khamajeet: As the hon. Minister is saying that he is not an expert biologist, will he inform the House whether, for the benefit of the inhabitants in the region, and the population at large, he will initiate a full-fledged study to be carried out by marine biologists, environmental experts and marine consultants of the negative impact on the degradation of that marine region? 

Mr Virahsawmy: I have replied, Mr Speaker, Sir, that when we carry out the study by consultants; they will also look at the different aspects of the problems.

Mr François: Mr Speaker, Sir, will the hon. Minister inform the House whether there has been a complete survey or a GIS map of the water current all around Mauritius and Rodrigues and if not, whether he is proposed to do it?

Mr Virahsawmy: No, this is under the responsibility of the Ministry of Fisheries and Rodrigues and perhaps, next time, if the hon. Member puts a question to him, he will reply.

Mr François: I am talking about waters around Mauritius and Rodrigues.

Mr Speaker:  No, we are talking about Ilot Mangénie, Ile aux Cerfs and Trou Viré Islet, not around Mauritius.

Keywords: Ilot Mangenie, Ile aux Cerfs & Trou Viré Islet, Water Channel