The management of Mauritius's coastline is a complex task involving multiple stakeholders and competing interests. Ensuring that the coastline is utilized in a way that maximizes economic benefits while preserving the environment and maintaining public access is crucial for sustainable development.
Mauritius has strategically utilized its coastline for various purposes including tourism, private residences, and public recreational activities. Mauritius strategically manages its 322-kilometer coastline across four distinct land categories: "Public beach areas," "Leased state land areas," "Uncommitted areas," and "Vested areas." Each category serves different public and private interests and has various levels of management and access rights.
| Category | Extent, Management, and Usage | Impact | ||
| Public Beaches (48 km - 14.9%) | Only about 48 km, or roughly 14.9% of the total coastline, are officially accessible to the public and designated as public beaches. These areas are critical for ensuring that the general population can enjoy the natural resources and recreational opportunities offered by the coast. | The effective management of these areas ensures they remain accessible and enjoyable, providing significant social and economic benefits through tourism and local recreation. The public beaches are vital for social equity and are popular among both locals and tourists for leisure activities. Their management often focuses on balancing visitor numbers with conservation efforts. | ||
Leased State Land Areas (150 km - 46.6%) |
| While these areas bolster economic activity through tourism and provide high-quality living spaces, they often restrict public access to some of the best parts of the coastline. | ||
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Approximately 90 km of the coastline are occupied by hotels or other developments with a tourist vocation. This includes large resorts and smaller boutique hotels, predominantly positioned on prime beachfront properties to maximize the appeal to international and local tourists. | This significant allocation to tourism development underscores the importance of the sector to the island's economy but raises concerns about access and environmental impact. | ||
| Other Utilizations (124 km - 38.5%) | The remainder of the coastline includes areas such as nature reserves, undeveloped or lightly developed land, and sections used for non-touristic commercial activities such as fishing or small-scale industrial operations. | These areas are crucial for biodiversity conservation and provide essential services such as fisheries, which are vital for local livelihoods. They also offer potential for future development, though this raises concerns about environmental sustainability. | ||
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| Vested areas support essential public infrastructure and services, though they do not directly contribute to public beach access or coastal leisure activities. | ||
| The lack of effective management in uncommitted areas can lead to environmental degradation and missed opportunities for local community engagement and development. |
Additional Considerations
- Islets: Mauritius also has 49 islets, with 11 being privatized, 7 designated as nature reserves, and 8 as national parks. These islets form an essential part of the coastal ecosystem and are important for biodiversity, recreation, and potentially tourism.
- Land Use Policy: The majority of coastal properties are state land leased under the categorization of “Pas Geometriques”, which highlights the need for careful management to balance private use with public access and ecological sustainability.
