Ministry of Environment and National Development Unit

Location

Processing of PER/EIA reports

The Environment Assessment division of the Department of Environment examines the environmental impacts, both beneficial and adverse, of proposed development projects. The environmental impacts are identified, predicted and evaluated. Hence, potential environmental problems are foreseen and addressed at the very project inception and design stage of proposed projects.

Advise industrialists & public on appropriate pollution abatement measures

The Pollution Prevention & Control Division of the Department of Environment carries out regular monitoring of environmental hotspots to prevent environmental pollution and degradation; advice are also given on measures to prevent air, noise and water pollution and on appropriate solid waste management system.

Attending complaints made by the public regarding environmental pollution

Complaints are recorded at the Pollution Prevention & Control Division and at the Police de l'Environnement. Subsequently, officers effect site visits, individually or in the company of the relevant enforcing agencies. Contravenants of an environmental law are, in the first place, directed to take appropriate mitigative measures to abate the pollution problems. In the event of persisting problems, Notices are served in accordance with the provisions of the Environment Protection Act 2002.

Public awareness & environmental education (EE)

The Ministry of Environment is duly mandated to impart EE in the non-formal sector. Non-formal EE involves disseminating information about the environment and making people behave in a way that does not harm the environment. The function of the Information & Education Division established within the Department of Environment is to address all matters pertaining to EE. The programme is broad-based and includes such issues as awareness campaigns and mass sensitisation through talks, educational trips, and nature discovery tours, seminars and clean-up operations. Bins and decorative plants are also distributed during clean-up operations.

Infrastructure upgrading and enhancement of the environment

Canal Anglais which had become sediment logged and had lost its water-carrying capacity on account of illegal dumping and soil subsistence, is now being rehabilitated.
The Pouce Stream which constituted an eyesore due to the presence of waste, silt and mud, is now being upgraded.

Moreover, there are several sites which have been embellished, some of these include Jardin de la Compagnie, Cite Barkly, Cite Attlee, Cite A.Ravaton.

Jogging tracks have been created at Le Dauguet, at Gymkhana, Vacoas and at Reduit.

Rehabilitation and preservation of our national heritage sites

Caves in Mauritius represent a unique and irreplaceable natural resource which has for long been neglected and converted into waste dumping sites. Women's Cave at Roches Noires has recently been rehabilitated and inaugurated on 29 September 2003. This cave has been cleared of all wastes and has been converted into a leisure park as well as a major tourist attraction.

Funding of environmental projects through NEF

The National Environment Fund (NEF) provides assistance to NGOs, and other organisations who want to promote and enhance the environment through environmental projects.

Public access to environmental information

The Ministry of Environment has a resource centre where the public in general including students, researchers and consultants can have access to documents, magazines and periodicals on environmental issues. Copies of EIA reports are also available for public consultation.

NGO Desk

The Ministry of Environment accommodates an NGO desk that provides support and technical assistance to NGOs registered at the Ministry. Moreover, the NGO desk at the Resource Centre serves as a focal point for NGO meetings.