Projects: Environmental Culture

Waste segregation projects in primary schools, secondary schools and tertiary institutions

The Waste Segregation Project was launched in June 2010 in all primary schools with main objectives to: 
•    Sensitise and promote 3Rs- Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
•    Inculcate concept of waste sorting (paper, plastic, green wastes and other wastes)
•    Contribute to resource conservation

The project has been extended to all secondary schools in Mauritius in September 2011, to all schools in Rodrigues in January 2013 and to tertiary institutions in September 2013. 
Compost bins and waste segregation bins were distributed to all primary and secondary schools in Mauritius to inculcate the concept of sorting of waste at source and promoting the 3R’s principle, i.e. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle amongst our youngsters and children at a tender age. 

School endemic garden projects in all primary and secondary schools

To enhance the knowledge of our younger generation on the importance of biodiversity and to encourage the nurturing of endemic plants amongst the younger generations, the then Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the then Ministry of Education had launched the School Endemic Garden on a national scale, in all primary and secondary schools in 2010.

Creation of Environment Clubs in Schools

Clubs in schools to promote environmental stewardship among the youth through awareness raising activities, workshops, exhibitions, competitions and appropriate resource materials. 

Rainwater harvesting systems

A Rainwater Harvesting Grant Scheme was introduced by Government since 2016, to enhance sustainable lifestyle through change of behaviour and adoption of responsible attitudes towards water consumption. The objectives of the Scheme were to encourage government agencies to use rainwater for non-potable water needs like washing yards, toilet and watering; reduce water bills; and improve public awareness of rainwater harvesting in Mauritius.
Rainwater harvesting systems have been distributed to primary, secondary and tertiary schools, women centres, community centres, and social welfare centres to sensitise on water saving.

Toolkit on good environmental practices

Training-of-trainers programmes and distribution of resource materials to the school community, including on climate change, sustainable lifestyles, endemic gardens, tree planting and toolkit on good environmental practices.

Eco School programme

Eco-schools Indian Ocean Programme is operated by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) which is an International Organisation based in Denmark. The Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) joined the FEE through its ISLANDS project in 2014 and introduced Eco-Schools as a regional programme for implementation in Mauritius, Madagascar, the Comoro Islands, Rodrigues, Seychelles and Zanzibar. Eco-School programme provides a regional framework to integrate themes of sustainable development, climate change and disaster risk reduction into national education systems.

• Objectives:
  Develop a regional strategy and action plan for mainstreaming the Eco-Schools programme in the national education systems and its sustainability in each country;
  Join with schools across the region to take collective action on common challenges.
• Stakeholders:
  Indian Ocean Commission (IOC);
  Ministry of Education and Human Resources, Tertiary Education and Scientific Research;
  Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change;
  Reef Conservation (NGO).

Green School Project

The Green School Project is an environmental educational programme that promotes and acknowledges long-term whole school action for environmental protection. It has been designed to promote environmental sustainability and sustainable lifestyle in the school community. It was launched in 2008 and included the following activities; Composting, paper recycling, collection of PET bottles, competitions, sensitization amongst others.

School-led Community-based environmental projects

School led Community-based environmental projects (2021-2022) competition for secondary school students was organized to implement environmental initiatives involving local communities.

Out of the 56 project proposals received from 4 Educational zones, 25 projects were selected and were provided with seed money of up to Rs 100,000. The environmental initiatives which were implemented included mural painting, recycling, cleaning activities, composting, rainwater harvesting, sensitisation campaigns. A video clip of about 30 minutes had been produced by this Ministry and distributed to secondary schools to showcase these initiatives.

Development of environmental charter for secondary students 

The world has long acknowledged the need to harness the power of education to meet sustainable development challenges. Young people are considered as ambassadors of change and progress and in line with this Government’s vision to instill a culture of conservation and protection of the environment in our children. As such this Ministry has in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Tertiary Education, Science and Technology developed and launched an Environmental Charter for Secondary school for the adoption of best environmental practices. 
The Charter aims at instigating a shift in mindset within school communities, particularly among the youth, by promoting environmental best practices and instilling core environmental values conducive to responsible development and behaviour. The Secondary schools will have to customise the charter at their respective level.

MoNatir - Mobile App

A Mobile application MONATIR was launched during the celebration of the Earth Day on 25 April 2024. The mobile application provides vital and dynamic environmental information to the public to make them aware of the quality of our environment. This information includes: 
•    Air Quality Index- data on air quality at various locations around the island, 
•    list of penalties for major environmental offences, 
•    list of offences under the Plastic Regulations; list of importers/ manufacturers of biodegradables/ compostable bags and single use products; 
•    updates on statistics on enforcement; 
•    list of waste disposal sites for solid and hazardous wastes; 
•    list of recyclers/ exporters; 
•    Weather conditions: link to website of Meteorological services; 
•    list of highly frequented public beaches and relevant amenities available.

Observatoire de L’Environnement

The Ministry has set up an “Observatoire de L’Environnement”. It is a web-based platform that serves for collecting and centralizing environmental data, for environmental monitoring, management and development. It also helps in evaluating the effectiveness of environmental policies and re-orienting our policies to achieve expected outcomes.