Mauritius

To mark the International Day for Biodiversity (IDB), the Ministry of Agro Industry and Fisheries, in collaboration with the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (SSR) Botanical Garden Trust, organized a tree planting ceremony yesterday at the SSR Botanical Garden in Pamplemousses.

In his speech, the Minister of Environment and NDU, and acting Minister of Agro Industry and Fisheries, Mr. Anil Bachoo, made a call to primary and secondary schools students, to 'become environment stewards' with full and active participation in environmental protection and conservation. He urged students to practice the 3R’s - reduce, reuse and recycle - at home, as well as at school, for waste minimization. He also invited them to take part in a tree planting campaign to make Mauritius 'clean and green'.

During the ceremony, more than 80 plants, among which there were several rare species of palm tree, were planted by students with the objective of sensitizing the younger generation on biodiversity, its importance and the need for the conservation and protection of the natural heritage and biodiversity of the country.