New cafeteria opens at National Biodiversity Centre |07 August 2023

Mrs Willemin looks on as Minister Joubert and Mr Cedras unveil the plaque to mark the opening of the cafeteria

Locals and tourists visiting the National Biodiversity Centre, Barbarons, have a place to relax and to taste locally-made snacks and refreshments now that a new cafeteria, ‘Kafe Bwa Sitron’ has opened its doors at the centre.

The unveiling of the commemorative plaque followed by the cutting of the flowery ribbon to officially mark the grand opening the cafeteria was done by the Minister for Agriculture, Climate Change & Environment, Flavien Joubert, and the chief executive of the Seychelles Parks and Garden Authority (SPGA), Allen Cedras, in a short ceremony held at the centre last Thursday afternoon.

Present were the vice-chairperson of SPGA’s board, Bernadette Willlemin, staff of the ministry, the centre and SPGA, the tourism industry and other invited guests, including a group of school children from the Grand Anse Mahé primary school, who recited a poem and performed a song to mark the occasion.

Named after the numerous ‘Bwa Sitron’ plants found in its surrounding, the small cafeteria situated that the entrance of centre becomes the newest addition to the centre, as part of the SPGA’s efforts to enhance its eco-tourism offerings in terms of a true experience of the local cultural heritage.

It will focus mainly on serving locally-made snacks and refreshments such as banana, breadfruit and cassava crisps, coconut ‘nougat’, traditional cakes, among other creole delicacies, and fresh juices and  traditional infusions such as mint, ‘grobonm’, ‘tokmarya’, ‘zakobe’ and lemon grass as well as coconut water among others found within the garden. On sale also will be other normal brands of refreshments – lemonades, juices, tea, coffee and water. The prices vary from R20 for a traditional infusion to R40 for a cassava ‘galet’ and R55 for a fresh juice.

It will be run by SPGA personnel and operate during weekdays from 7am – 3pm and on weekends and public holidays from 9am to 4pm.

Addressing the gathering for the occasion, Minister Joubert, who commended the opening of the cafeteria as a further attraction to the centre, said that despite the centre’s critical role in housing the various plants representing Seychelles’ rich flora, to date a small proportion of the local population and visitors have visited the site.

“It is for this reason that I am therefore encouraged to see the realisation of the café. With the addition of ‘Kafe Bwa Sitron’, not only can visitors now experience the wealth of natural heritage the garden boasts, but also indulge in locally made delicacies for a fulfilling and wholesome experience,” Minister Joubert said.

He added that the opening of the cafeteria is a testament to the collective vision and determination of the SPGA team in terms of progress, innovation, and the vast possibilities which lie ahead for greater visibility and exposure of the Biodiversity Centre, and he hoped that that ‘Kafe Bwa Sitron’ will serve as a great example of warm-hearted service offerings and service delivery, which further attaches to its purpose of embracing and showcasing the country’s cultural heritage.

“It will be a place where visitors can relax, a place where families are able to enjoy, and a place where nature enthusiasts can explore. Above all, the Biodiversity Centre remains a vital place for fostering education, awareness, and interest in the conservation and protection of the high number of rare, endemic, native, and medicinal plants of our country,” he added.

Speaking to the press, Mr Cedras said that given SPGA is also operating as a commercial business, the opening of the cafeteria along with other paid services offered, will help to generate additional revenue to sustain its activities.

He noted that SPGA has other projects in the pipeline to attract visitors.

“We have various projects that we envisage to undertake in relation to additional services in our various national and marine parks and first to be undertaken will be the opening of another cafeteria on Curieuse Island,” Mr Cedras said.

He said that another attraction will be the opening of an orchid house (green house) at the biodiversity centre by the end of December this year, which will house 25 species of local orchids among which 10 are endemic. He called on the locals to come and visit the centre’s flora and to relax in a wellness atmosphere at the cafeteria.

The National Biodiversity Centre, launched in 2014, is geared towards conserving and showcasing Seychelles’ wide range of flora by allowing visitors to experience the vegetation of different ecosystems present in the country. Besides its commitment to offering a unique visitor experience when visiting the garden full of endemic, indigenous, native and medicinal plants, the Biodiversity Centre also boasts a nursery where local residents can obtain seeds and seedlings for replanting in their own gardens.

Text & photos by Patrick Joubert