Seychelles is planning to mark World Wetlands Day which falls on Thursday February 2 under the theme: Wetland Tourism – A Great Experience.

This international theme for 2012 is – declared by Ramsar Secretariat – suits Seychelles very well as many of the local tourism establishments have incorporated wetlands and mangroves in their premises and are upgrading the marshes’ value to the appreciation of both guests and locals.

Seychelles become a member of the Ramsar Convention in 2004 and has declared three key sites of Wetlands of International importance, and is also implementing its National Wetland Policy for the conservation, protection and management of wetlands.
Considering the degradation and impacts on global wetlands, the Ramsar Convention was established in Iran’s city of Ramsar in 1971.

The convention is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.

It is one of the oldest global conventions and has more than 160 member countries. It has declared more than 1976 wetland sites of international importance with a total area of 1.9 billion hectares! 
The three Ramsar sites in Seychelles are:

Coastal wetlands  at Port Launay,  which are high altitude freshwater wetlands, the Mare aux Cochons and the World Heritage site and the Aldabra Atoll.

Marking the day

The Department of Environment has been working hard to protect and conserve our wetlands so that wise and sustainable use of their functions and values including indirect benefits are secured now and in the future.

The Environmental Engineering and Wetlands section has organised two main activities for this year; a tour of the board walk on Curieuse Island around the mangroves area and the nearby beach, introducing school children, invited guests and other people to this potentially touristic site which fits well with the theme for this year.

On the same day, Friday February 3, there will be a presentation of certificates of recognition of the efforts of the hotels that have incorporated wetlands within their premises as an additional attraction for the hotel guests.

 These activities will portray the importance of wetlands in promoting tourism here in Seychelles, and show interesting elements of mangroves and coastal features which would attract tourists and also the achievements made by these touristic establishments that have made great efforts in promoting the wise use and sustainable development of Wetlands within their hotel premises.

With their natural beauty and biodiversity wetlands, make ideal locations for tourism. The income can be significant and support livelihoods locally and nationally. Wetlands also help store water, boost food production, purify water and control soil erosion, all of which benefit the tourists and hotels. The income generated by tourism for national and local economies in and around wetlands can be substantial.

Some of the hotels that have incorporated wetlands as key features and aesthetic sites are Banyan Tree, the Ephelia, Four Seasons, Maia Resorts, Lemuria, La Reserve, D’omaine de l’orangiere, Labriz and the Takamaka Residence.
Mangrove diversity of Seychelles

Of the 68 global species of mangrove trees, only nine are native to the East Africa region and Seychelles has nearly eight of them.

They act as the habitat for threatened endangered species for several palm species, amphibians, reptiles like soupap, insects like stick insects birds like the veuve  etc.

Seychelles mangroves consist of several key species which help reduce the magnitude or frequency of floodwater or storm water risks, scouring and erosion of stream banks.

They also give habitat for aquatic life during several phases of animals’ developments.

Contributed by the Environmental Engineering and Wetlands section

Forrás: www.nation.sc