This pushed Seychelles global lead as the country with the biggest protected area as the proportion rose from 45 to 47.19% of our territory. The second country after Seychelles is New Zealand which has 30% of its land area protected under law.

The opening followed the signing of the Designation Order by the Minister for Home Affairs, Environment, Natural Resources and Transport Joel Morgan.

President Michel, Vice-President Danny Faure and ministers present then each planted a tree assisted by the children who attend the 15-pupil school on the island.

President Michel and a senior resident of the island Therese Malbrook unveiled a plaque to mark the opening and children from the school added their voice to the message of conservation through song, as did popular artist Patrick Victor who sang Later Ini.

Silhouette island is the third largest island of the inner granitic group of the Seychelles archipelago.

Mr Michel said the event was not only historic, but it was also the pride of the Seychellois people.

“We have managed to increase our leadership in conservation in the world. Since Seychelles now has 47.19% of its land territory declared as protected areas, this continues to keep us as the leader in the region and a leader in the world,” he said.

“I think what is important is not only to have the island declared as a conservation area, but also the Islands Development Company must organise for Seychellois to come and visit the island and also encourage children and wildlife clubs and other organisations to come and see the beauty of this biodiversity that we have. We must all have the opportunity to appreciate it and to maintain it, to be sure that we protect it for future generations.”

This legendary island is known for its dramatic mountain peaks and for being one of the richest biodiversity hot-spots in the western Indian Ocean. It is home to many endemic and threatened plant and animal species and has large areas of primeval forest, mist forests as well as breathtaking viewpoints.

Silhouette has five mountain peaks; Mont Dauban (740m), Mont-Pot-a-Eau (621m), Gratte Fesse (515m) Mont Corgat (502m) and Mont Cocos Marrons (500m).

The island is home to last known Seychelles sheath-tailed bats, and is an Important Bird Area and a vital site for the survival of critically endangered species.

The Seychelles archipelago has a total land surface area of 45,500 hectares – excluding reclaimed area.

With the new declaration of the new Silhouette National Park area, the total land area under protection now stands at 21,471.53 hectares.

The other ministers present at the ceremony were Bernard Shamlaye of Social Development and Culture, Macsuzy Mondon of Education, Employment and Human Resources.

Also present were secretary of state in the Office of the President Barry Faure, member of the National Assembly for La Digue and Inner Islands Ansley Constance, principal secretary for presidential affairs Lise Bastienne, PS for environment Didier Dogley, PS for land use and housing Christian Lionnet, chief executive of the Island Development Company Glenny Savy and the chief executive of the Seychelles Tourism Board Alain St Ange and presidential adviser Rolph Payet among other guests.