Creation of a Peri-Urban Social Forest in 2019

The GRNW Peri-Urban Social Forest Project is a unique project on an extent of 0.9 ha that aimed at creating a green space that integrates leisure amenities so as to bring social and environmental benefits to the region, thus enhancing the environment and upgrading the quality of life of the local inhabitants.

The Project was inaugurated in year 2019and has been since visited by many. Some salient features of the project include a walking track of approximately 2km along the water line, two petanque courts, an outdoor gym and an endemic tree garden.

Approximately 8669 ornamental and native plants have been planted on the site thereon.

Opening of Belle Vue Forest Trail in 2021

The Belle Vue Forest Trail, situated at Petit Raffray, on an extent of9.2 ha, was inaugurated by the Prime Minister in 2021. The Project site covers an area of 108.22 ha of State planted Forest land which was created during the French/ British colonisation period in the 18th century.

The site has social, cultural, historical, and economical importance as it harbours vestiges of an earlier model of a sugar mill during colonial times.

The project aimed at enhancing the environment by protecting and conserving the existing Forest from any major infrastructural development while providing recreational facilities for the local inhabitants and visitors, including trekking and an outdoor gym facility.

Creation of Mini Forests

The Forestry Service also created some mini forests namely at PG Riambel, La Prairie, Malenga and Bel Air with the aim to increase forest cover on the island.

Creation of a Healing Forest in 2023

The concept of the Healing Forest is an innovative initiative undertaken by the Forestry Service, under the aegis of the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security, with the aim of promoting the social aspect of Forestry, bridging the gap between people and the therapeutic effects of Forests.

An area of two hectares of State Forest Land were revitalized with approximately of 1320 mixed plantations of native, exotic, and ornamental to achieve both social and environmental benefits, attracting people from every stratum of the society to find a place of respite.

Additionally, an extent of 0.5 ha of land were restored and embellished with about 875 native and exotic plants at SL Petrin in 2023. 220 Fiddlewood trees were also introduced on an area of 2 hectares along roadsides between Petrin and the Healing Forest.

Creation of an Endemic Forest and an Agro-Forestry plot at State Land Beemanique in 2021.

A new endemic Forest was created at State Land Beemanique on an extent of 9.2 ha in 2021 by the Forestry Service, where more than 4,000 native plants were introduced through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with the General Construction Company Ltd and Sinohydro Corporation Ltd.

Along that same line, the Forestry Service also created a pilot Agro-Forestry plot where various fruit trees were introduced.

Creation of The Beemanique Remembrance Forest in 2024

The concept of the Remembrance Forest is another innovative initiative undertaken by the Forestry Service, based on the theory of becoming one with nature and the notion of creating a living legacy (Biophilia)

The Beemanique Remembrance Forest, located at Nouvelle France, is the first State Forest to embrace the Remembrance concept. The Forest which was inaugurated on 4th of May 2024, encouraged people towards conservation and restoration efforts to sustain our Forests by planting a tree to commemorate important life milestones and events such the birth of a child, weddings, graduations or the demise of a loved one.

Environmental Awareness and Education Initiatives

In addition to restoration efforts, the Forestry Service actively engages in awareness-raising activities in schools and during public events to educate and sensitize both young people and the wider community about the vital role of forests—particularly in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like Mauritius, where natural resources are limited. These outreach initiatives aim to foster eco-consciousness and promote the preservation of the country's natural forest heritage, while highlighting the importance of sustainable forest management for climate resilience and biodiversity conservation.