An exhibition aiming to increase understanding and awareness on biodiversity issues opened this morning at the Renganaden Seeneevassen Building in Port Louis in the context of the International Day for Biological Diversity celebrated annually on the 22nd of May. The theme retained for this year is: “Celebrating 25 Years of Action for Biodiversity”.
Present on the occasion, the acting Director of the National Parks and Conservation Services, Mr K. Ruhomaun stated that this year marks the 25th anniversary of the coming into force of the Convention on Biological Diversity. He pointed out that the objective of the exhibition is to highlight progress made by the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security in collaboration with the National Parks and Conservation Services and other stakeholders for the conservation of terrestrial biodiversity in Mauritius.
According to Mr Ruhomaun, the endemic species of Mauritius such as the Pink Pigeon, Echo Parakeet, Mauritius kestrel, and the National flower, Trochetia, are among the most threatened in the world and active conservation is essential to prevent the loss of more species on the island. Government, he underscored, is implementing several measures to ensuring a sustainable management and restoration of native terrestrial Mauritian fauna and flora so as to retain its genetic diversity for the future generations. This is carried out through in-situ and ex-situ conservation strategies, ecosystem restoration, public awareness, promotion of ecotourism and implementation of international biodiversity agreements.
Furthermore, Mr Ruhomaun recalled the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) 2017-2025 for Mauritius, which sets out the Strategy and Action Plan for biodiversity conservation for the next nine years. The Republic of Mauritius was the first country to sign and ratify the Convention on Biological Diversity in September 1992, he added.
Mauritius, as a Small Island Developing State, he underlined faces many challenges such as climate change, impact of invasive alien species and lack of adequate resources. The NBSAP 2017-2025, he added sets out clear goals and objectives which the country targets to achieve in terms of biodiversity conservation.
Source: Government of Mauritius