Continued effort to boost environment protection in 2022 |30 December 2022

President Ramkalawan visiting Corgat Estate residents in the wake of floods Mangrove planting in full gear

Dampened for just a short while by the Covid-19 pandemic, effort to boost environment protection and preservation was rekindled in the year 2022 where government, private sector and different non-governmental organisations joined forces to step up environment protection and conservation.

Census reveals reduction in sooty-tern population

A census conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment (MACCE) revealed an alarming 60 percent reduction in the sooty tern population across eight different islands.

As such, an immediate ban on the collection, sale and consumption on delicacy bird’s eggs was announced, applicable for a two-year period.

Private sector joins government’s efforts

Apex Supplies Ltd on December 20 donated bins specifically for cans and PET bottles to the Landscape and Waste Management Agency (LWMA), under the Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment. The bins will facilitate public at the commonly-visited regatta site in Beau Vallon. The company has throughout the year organised a number of clean-ups around Seychelles.

To commemorate the ‘Clean up the World’ campaign’, Airtel Seychelles donated 40 bins to the MACCE.

150 mangroves planted

Some 150 juvenile mangroves were planted in the wetland near the International School Seychelles (ISS) on the International Day for the conservation of Mangroves Ecosystem on July 27, to replace those removed during the construction of a new stretch of road opposite the school. The restoration of mangroves forms part of government’s commitment towards a healthy blue carbon system.

Climate change mitigation measures

The department of climate change constructed a 170-metre sea wall to prevent degradation of the Beau Vallon beach during the monsoon season. Funded under the Environment Trust Fund (ETF), the project cost nearly R2 million, and has been integrated into the Golden Mile project.

A second sea wall rehabilitation project at Anse Gaulette, Baie Lazare was initiated in order to stop heavy erosion. The 280-metre sea wall project is being financed by the government, amounting to R5.3 million.

Seychelles fulfils climate commitment

Following over two years of field work from both local and international partners, Seychelles proudly fulfilled its first climate commitment under the Paris Agreement, in mapping the full extent of mangrove and sea grass ecosystems across its vast exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The milestone achievement was announced in August.

Seychelles inches closer to waste to energy project

Seychelles, with the support of experts from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in September kick started the process towards a waste to energy facility, as a solution to space constraints, the problem of contamination and other risks such as landfill fires.

The eight-month feasibility study aims to identify the most cost-effective and reliable solution to treat the country’s waste.

Researchers decode Aldabra giant tortoises’ genome

Researchers from the University of Zurich have decoded the entire genome of the Aldabra giant tortoises, the largest species of tortoise on earth, and who are at risk of extinction.

Assembling the species’ full genetic code makes it possible to determine genetic differences between individual Aldabra giant tortoises in the wild or in captivity.

FADs clean-up

Local stakeholders teamed up to collect and remove roving fish aggregating devices (FADs) deposited along Seychelles’ reefs and shores, on board the Saya de Malha coast guards vessel in October. Twenty-one (21) FADs were collected in total.

FADs are widely used by tuna purse seiners and tuna fishing vessel to attract large concentrations of fish.

Solar PV farm on Ile de Romainville inaugurated

Seychelles’ 5-megawatt solar photovoltaic (PV) farm on Ile de Romainville was inaugurated on December 12. The facility has the capacity to produce 7 million units of electricity annually, which can meet the needs of around 2,000 homes, and will reduce carbon emissions by approximately 5,000 tonnes annually. 

The facility was commissioned in April 2021, and was co-funded by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, the Public Utilities Corporation (PUC) and the government of Seychelles.

The commemorative plaque was unveiled by Vice-President Ahmed Afif and the deputy director general of Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), Khalifa Abdulla Al Qubaisi.

It has been funded through a concessional loan of US $8.5 million, payable at a 2% interest rate, from the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD). The remaining US $1.7 million is funded from the PUC's own equity, bringing the project to a total of US $10.2 million.

Sites proposed for protection status

A number of sites have been proposed for protection status, namely Montagne Corail, Collines du Sud, and Grand Police in the Takamaka district. Most of these sites are found on private land and constitute important habitats with species such as jasmine, ‘bwa kafoul trwa fey’, ‘lafous pti fey’ and rare orchids not found elsewhere on Mahé.

Landowners need to consent if the sites are to be given protected status.

Heavy rains, flooding, disasters

In April, there was a geological wash-down as a result of heavy rainfall, around the Trois Frères peak. A substantial rush of water carried with it debris from a high point of the mountain leaving behind a trail of large rocks, stones, trees, branches, shrubs as well as soil.

Following flooding which affected numerous families especially in Corgat Estate, Mont Fleuri, and businesses in April, desilting works were conducted within various channels, to improve the flow of water during heavy rainfall. The works focused on: the Moosa River, and channels bordering the Victoria Gymnasium car park, the Unity House car par, Benezet Street, Church Street, Quincy Street, Esplanade and Freedom Square car park, from June 13 well into July. Heavy machinery was used in certain circumstances to remove plants and debris blocking the channels and which contributed towards the floods.

President Wavel Ramkalawan visited Corgat Estate residents in the wake of floods.

As usual, the month of December saw heavy rainfall as expected during the Northwest monsoon. Landslides, fallen trees, road closures and a number of casualties were registered on Friday December 16, dampening the World Cup 2022 spirits. Heavy rains persisted throughout the weekend and the following week.

Seized turtle meat destroyed

The 117 kilograms of turtle meat seized onboard the Pelican vessel on November 5 was destroyed at the Seychelles Hospital incinerator on December 20.

Compiled by Laura Pillay