Most SPGA sites re-open while a few remain close   |09 December 2023

Members of the public and visitors are now able to access most of the Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority sites as of yesterday, Friday December 8, 2023 while a few remain close until Monday.

The closure of the sites was because of a state of emergency imposed on Thursday following heavy rainfall and inclement weather.

The following sites which have been reopened are as follows: all marine parks, National Biodiversity Centre, National Botanical Garden and Veuve Special Reserve.

Apart from the Morne Seychellois and Trois Frères trails which will remain closed until Monday December 11, all other SPGA managed trails on Mahé and Praslin have also been reopened since yesterday. Hikers are being urged to take precautionary measures when accessing the trails, in view of the persistent and heavy rainfall.

The chief executive of SPGA, Allen Cedras, said that the reason why certain trails are opening on Monday is because staff are making sure that the trails are safe through an assessment that will be carried out.

The trails that have already been reopened are the easiest and of medium difficulty, whereas those that remain closed are very tough and there is potential for them to be extremely slippery.

“This is why we are holding on,” he stated. “However, if we see that there is a need to delay the reopening, we will do it.”

The assessment will take place today with the use of drones to ease the exercise. “We are taking precautions, because it could be that the sun hits and things improve, but we need to see how things play out. There will be risks on trails, not all the trails will work the same. Each trail has its characteristics which is why we call it trails.”

Sunny Esparon