The forests of the Republic of Mauritius are small in area but perform vital functions, the most important of them being soil and water conservation. Where water is scarce, all activities, be they agriculture, tourism or manufacturing, are seriously affected. |
The environmental function of forests far outweighs their direct economic function in small island developing states. The roles of forests in reducing soil erosion, carbon sequestration, conservation of biodiversity & genetic resources, recreation & ecotourism are now widely recognized and valued. Consequently, conservation, protection and development of the remaining native forests through sustainable management are priority objectives of the overall national policy of Mauritius. In fact, the forests of the Republic of Mauritius are now managed more for these environmental functions rather than for the production of timber. | credit: MBC | |
