SADC/JICA project on forests opens in Mauritius
Bel Ombre, Mauritius (PANA) - The 5th Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) Meeting of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) / Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Project on Forest Conservation and Sustainable Management of Forest Resources in Southern Africa opened Tuesday at Tamassa Resort in Bel Ombre, southern Mauritius.
This three-day meeting lays emphasis on the importance of forests conservation and protection of natural resources in addressing forest degradation, deforestation, food security and natural disasters, among others, in SADC countries.
Mauritian Conservator of Forests, Mr Vishnu Tezoo, said everybody recognises the importance of forests that help to build resilience and create the conditions that support food security and environmental benefits.
“Forests, trees on farms, and agro-forestry systems contribute to livelihoods of the population. They provide fuel for cooking, fodder for animals and protect the ecosystem, and they also provide income,” Mr. Tezoo told the opening session.
“The Mauritian Government recognises the importance of forests and their benefits in the sustainable development of the country owing to their environmental, economic, social and ecological functions.”
According to the official, Mauritius is putting in place policies and strategies so as to increase the area covered by forests, such as the National Forest Policy of the Strategic Plan 2016-2020 for the Food Crop, Livestock and Forestry sectors.
He said that the SADC/JICA project is beneficial to Mauritius in terms of training programmes, capacity building, and learning experiences from other countries.
“This will help decision makers to promote and develop a sustainable approach for forest management and conservation”, he said, adding, “in this era of challenges we face today in the context of Climate Change, Natural Disasters, Food Security, Pests and Diseases and others require us to work together, in collaboration with partners.”
“Alone, nobody will be able to implement sustainable management of forests and achieve sustainable development goals”, Mr Tezoo underlined.
The Conservator indicated that Mauritius is committed to the obligations of the Multilateral Environmental Agreements and undertaking all efforts to combat climate change, mitigate natural disasters, improve food security and provide environmental benefits to the well-being of the population of Mauritius.
Mr Tezoo emphasized that this project will support capacity building in forest information, forest fires, and participatory forest management with the SADC.
“Such efforts will contribute in enhancing capabilities of some 15 SADC nations and the SADC Secretariat so as to promote sustainable forest resource management”, he concluded.
-0- PANA NA/AR 14May2019
