Young members of the Wildlife Clubs of Seychelles, along with environment officials, took part in a series of activities to help rehabilitate the Anse Royale beach.

           
Wildlife club members making a difference at Anse Royale beach

They are now urging members of the public, as responsible citizens, not to drop litter or park their vehicles in areas where they can affect sand dunes and coastal plants.

This activity, which took place recently, is the final stage of a pilot project on this stretch of beach conducted under the Regional Programme for the Sustainable Management of the Coastal Zones of the Countries of the Indian Ocean (Recomap).

Students of the Colibri wildlife club from Plaisance secondary school and the Spice and Cinnamon wildlife clubs from Anse Royale school took an active part.

They saw the bollards that were recently put in place as part of the first phase of this Recomap project. These are to secure the sand dunes and prevent the compacting effect of vehicles, but sadly some people are still parking in these areas.

During the one-day activity a lot of rubbish was found, and the students planted a variety of coastal trees such as the bwa blan.

They also spoke to some fishermen – who were fascinated by their efforts – about the need to protect the coastal environment.

Two wheeled bins were also placed in the area to encourage picnickers and other people not to litter.

Anse Royale beach has become a very popular recreational area for many, and yet most people do not realise the need to preserve it, said the integrated coastal zone management officer Terence Vel.

He added that such activities are good as they help to inculcate good living values in our young people.

“They need to appreciate their environment so that now at this young age they can start making a difference,” he said.

The students are so interested in their work that they went back last weekend to make sure their plants had not been destroyed during the Dimans Kreol Borlanmer at the Anse Royale beach park, he added.

They also organised a sports and environment activity there, not only to have fun but to monitor their plants and others that may have been affected.

Mr Vel said now it is up to the community, including the district authority, school students, fishermen and other members of the public, to take care of the beach to prevent coastal erosion and other negative impacts.

Contributed by the Environment Department

 

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