La Misère pupils plant endemic trees at biodiversity centre |02 October 2023

Pupils of La Misère primary school were joined by employees of Cat Cocos on Thursday to plant a number of endemic trees at the National Biodiversity Centre at Barbarons.

The activity was organised by the company to mark World Tourism Day, observed on September 27.

Representative of Cat Cocos, Christopher Morel, explained that the company organised the activity as part of the Lospitalite-Lafyerte Sesel tourism club, to give back to the local community, and to touch the tourism sector.  

The company has recently focused efforts on projects with an environmental impact.

“For tourism to continue to thrive in Seychelles, we need to continuously protect our environment. It is about ecology, and environmental conservation to keep the cycle going,” Mr Morel noted.

The pupils planted trees such as Kafe Maron pti fey within the centre’s arboretum, and had the privilege of labelling the plants with tags bearing their names.

Ilysha Jacqueline, who is in P2 and who forms part of the club, said she is happy to have such an opportunity to plant a tree, for visitors to enjoy.

Besides the tree planting, the pupils also had the opportunity of touring the centre, which aims to conserve and showcase the Seychelles’ wide range of flora by allowing visitors to experience the vegetation of different ecosystems present in Seychelles. 

Following the launch of the school’s Lospitalite-Lafyerte club in February, the students have had the opportunity of visiting the company’s headquarters in Zone 20, Providence, where they interacted with staff, including captains, engineers and crew members. The visit was also an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the company’s operations.

The accompanying photos show some highlights of the tree-planting activity.

Laura Pillay

Photos by Joena Meme