SEYCHELLES LAUNCH NEW POLICY FOR PROTECTED AREAS
(Posted 10th April 2014)
Earlier this week did the Seychelles government launch their first ever policy document for sustainable development of protected areas. Following extensive consultations with other government departments and ministries, with stakeholders and NGO’s supporting the government’s efforts to preserve and protect the archipelago’s terrestrial and marine environment will the new policy now pave the way for intensified efforts to keep the islands green and ensure best global practice to be introduced when it comes to environmental impact assessments of new projects, including for new resorts. The new policy document is also seen as part of the Seychelles move to embrace both the green and blue economies, cornerstones of President James Alix Michel’s vision for the future of the country.
The Seychelles have dedicated over half of their land to protected areas and considering the moves by privately owned islands to follow that trend and turning them into dedicated bird or nature reserves this percentage may yet grow further in coming years.
Much of the archipelago’s attraction to foreign visitors is their pristine marine and terrestrial environment and protecting this is a foundation for continued growth of the tourism industry. The Seychelles are home to two of UNESCO’s World Heritage sites, the Valle de Mai on the island of Praslin and the fabled Aldabra Atoll, both managed by the Seychelles Island Foundation on behalf of the government. On the main island of Mahe it is the Morne National Park, where also the landmark Mission Lodge is located, for which UNESCO is considering the Seychelles’ application to include Venn’s Town, the other name of the site, to WHS status too. This park offers visitors the rare option of hiking through one of the most extensive forests of the Seychelles and exploring and experiencing the tropical flora and fauna.
In closing, the new policy is thought to also finally stamp out ongoing murmurs about the so called green-washing in particular in connection with plans to establish new resorts, as globally accepted standards for EIA’s and mitigative measures are now embedded in the official government policy. Seychelles, truly Another World.
