bybyMinistry of Environment &Sustainable DevelopmentMinistry of Environment &Sustainable Development

in collaboration with in collaboration with Ministry of Agro-Industry & Food Security Ministry of Agro-Industry & Food Security

Ministry of FisheriesMinistry of FisheriesSugar Industry Labour Welfare FundSugar Industry Labour Welfare Fund

Earth Day 2014Earth Day- annual event celebrated

on April 22 in more than 190 countries to demonstrate support for environmental protection. This year’s global theme is: “Green Cities.”

To mark this event in Mauritius, the MOESDis engaging the public at large in tree planting for a cleaner, healthier and greener environment.

Activities proposedAmong the activities proposed in the context of

Earth Day 2014: (i) Launching of a campaign “Un enfant, Une Plante”

at the Rabindranath Tagore Secondary School Ilot Pamplemousses on the 23 April 2014. The event will be marked by a tree planting ceremony, the distribution of plants to students and staff of the school and community members.

(ii) Planting of 500 Flamboyant trees on the Signal Mountain.

(ii) To conduct 7 regional “Training of Trainers” half-day workshops on tree planting in the 7 community centre zones with representatives of community centres, village councils and municipal councils.

Importance of trees and forests

Trees are vital for our survival. They give us oxygen, store carbon, stabilise the soil and support wildlife.

Trees are the largest and longest living organisms on Earth. They are the world’s single largest source of oxygen.

Trees and forests offer us with a wide range of environmental, social and economic benefits.

Environmental BenefitsMaintain balance of oxygen in the atmosphere.

Trees combat climate change as they absorb carbon dioxide, hence combat greenhouse effect. Over the course of its life a single tree can absorb about 1 ton of CO2.

Prevent soil erosion as their roots hold the soil in place.

Provide important habitats for numerous bird, insect and animal species.

Social BenefitsProvide beauty with attractive landscape.

Provide cool areas for recreation and relaxation such as playgrounds and parks.

Trees act as sound barrier and mitigate noise, can reduce noise pollution by as much as 40 percent.

Trees have medicinal uses: Neem Tree - antiseptic, antiviral, anti-

inflammatory; Eucalyptus Tree - very effective in the treatment of coughs, sore throats and asthma.

Economic Benefits Shading and evaporative cooling from trees

can cut residential air-conditioning costs 20-50%.

Can save up to 30% of energy, thus utility company uses less energy which result to less fuel consumption.

Forests provide timber, wood, pulp, medicines, fruits and food.

Forests serve as destination for ecotourism and recreation.

Tree PlantingIn line with budget 2014 and as part of its

endeavour for a ‘Clean and Green Mauritius’,

the MOESD in collaboration with the Ministry

of Agro-Industry & FS and other stakeholders

has embarked on a ‘Tree Planting for Clean

Air Campaign’ with a target to plant some

200 000 trees throughout the island by 2015.

Objectives of the campaignEmbellish Mauritius for a more beautiful and

greener landscape.

Improve our air quality for a healthy environment.

Connect us with nature and reinforce our cultural and spiritual values.

Poster on ‘Une Famille, Une Plante’

Brochure on ‘Une Famille, Une Plante’

Some tips to protect your environment

Participate in activities to make our island clean and green.

Plant trees (promote endemic and threatened species).

Do not cut or uproot trees.

Promote planting and the use of medicinal plants (decrease the use of chemically produced pharmaceuticals).

Compost your green wastes.

Projects in schools

1. Endemic Garden Project

2. Tree Planting Project

Endemic garden ProjectLaunched in 2010 to mark the international

year of biodiversity

Help youngsters to understand the term ‘endemic’.

Sensitisation campaign in all primary and secondary schools with distribution of toolkit, brochure, poster and CDs on endemic garden.

2010-2013: 144 gardens were created and sensitisation carried out in 129 schools.

Resource Materials Developed

Tookit DVD

Poster Brochure

School Endem

ic GardenProject

Endemic Plants

Bottle Palm Hibiscus Bois de natte

Tree planting ProjectProject on tree planting launched during

Earth day – April 2013.

297 schools participated in the project.

Some 2700 endemic plants have been planted (about 10 trees/school).

Endemic plants obtained from Forestry Service.

Trees“It is the little things citizen do. That’s what

will make the difference. My little thing is planting trees.”

Wangari Maathai (1940-2011) Founder of Green Belt Movement and 2004 Noble Peace Prize

Laureate

THANK YOUfor your attention