by Ministry of Environment &Sustainable Development in collaboration with Ministry of Agro-Industry & Food Security Ministry of Fisheries Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Fund

Earth Day 2014 Earth 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 proposed Among 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 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 Benefits Maintain 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 Benefits Provide 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 Planting In 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 trees throughout the island by 2015.

Objectives of the campaign Embellish 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 Project Launched 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 : 144 gardens were created and sensitisation carried out in 129 schools.

Resource Materials Developed TookitDVD

Poster Brochure

School Endemic Garden Project

Endemic Plants Bottle Palm HibiscusBois de natte

Tree planting Project Project on tree planting launched during Earth day – April 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 ( ) Founder of Green Belt Movement and 2004 Noble Peace Prize Laureate

THANK YOU for your attention