Social Forests | ||
| In 2019, the Forestry Service created a social forest for the benefit of the locals at Grand Riviere Nord West (GRNW) called the GRNW Peri-Urban Social Forest, which provides a green space for people from all walks of life to enjoy a moment of respite from their busy city life." | ||
Peri-Urban Social Forest in 2019The 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 2019 and 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 court, an outdoor gym and an endemic tree garden. Approximately 8669 ornamental and native plants have been planted on the site thereon. |  | |
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Nature Walks | ||
Nature walks offer a multitude of benefits across environmental, ecological, and social dimensions. By integrating nature walks into communities and natural areas, spaces are created that enhance environmental conservation, support ecological health, and offer a range of social benefits. Promotion of Conservation AwarenessNature walks can foster a greater appreciation for natural landscapes and wildlife, encouraging individuals to support conservation efforts and sustainable practices thus promoting conservation awareness. They provide a great opportunity and platform for people to learn and appreciate the rare indigenous and endemic fauna and flora, their values to society, and the need to conserve them leading to a more informed public. An environmentally conscious population encourages responsible recreation, where the community develops a sense of responsibility towards their forests, leading to more environmentally friendly behaviours like reduced littering and reduced deforestation. Social and Health BenefitsProviding accessible nature walks ensures that diverse groups, including those with physical or socioeconomic barriers, experience and benefit from nature. It has been shown that frequently engaging with nature reduces stress, anxiety, and depression, leading to overall improved mental well-being. Ecological and Urban BenefitsNature walks not only become part of the local culture and recreational activities but well-designed trails can also create corridors for wildlife movement and help maintain or enhance local biodiversity by preserving natural habitats. Besides sustaining biodiversity conservation, incorporating green spaces and nature walks into urban areas helps mitigate the urban heat island effect, increases the carbon sink capacity of the island thus mitigating climate change while simultaneously combating land degradation. | 
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The Forestry Service is presently managing three (3) Nature Walks with a view to provide leisure and recreation to both the local population and tourists: | ||
Nature Trails | ||
Belle Vue Forest Trail The Belle Vue Forest Trail, situated at Petit Raffray, on an extent of 9.2 ha, was inaugurated in 2021. The Project site covers an area of 108.22 ha of State planted Forest land. The site has social, cultural, historical, and economical importance as it harbours vestiges of an earlier model of a sugar mill during colonial times. |  | |
Le Daugeut Health Track
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