Authorities Encouraged to Take Action Against Environmental Abuses

On Wednesday, December 18, Minister of Environment Rajesh Bhagwan and Junior Minister Joanna Bérenger held a meeting with representatives from various public entities under the Ministry of Environment. The primary focus of the discussion was the end-of-year festivities and the associated environmental pollution. Minister Bhagwan urged the public to “embrace new colors and a fresh start this December,” while also giving authorities the green light to take action where necessary.

“We are seeking your support,” Minister Bhagwan stated to the governmental entities present, which included the Beach Authority and the Environmental Police, established in 2000 during his previous tenure as Minister.

Understanding the increased workload during the festive season, both ministers aimed to connect with “the frontline workers of the environment” to communicate several important messages to the Mauritian public.

The key message emphasized the importance of proactive measures to prevent pollution.

“It is a tradition in Mauritius to conduct major clean-ups for the New Year, which is commendable.

However, we must also consider our neighbors and avoid creating disorder while cleaning our own spaces,” he noted.

“We all share a responsibility and must each make an effort to keep our country clean.”

Minister Bhagwan addressed the public health implications of various types of pollution, mentioning diseases like dengue and chikungunya.

He also highlighted the negative impact of pollution on tourism, stating, “Our goal is to have a clean country where citizens can shop for vegetables in a tidy market and where tourists can see that we care for our environment.”

He urged the municipal and district council representatives present to take action.

“We will not succeed in this mission without your collaboration,” he stressed. Minister Bhagwan proposed three key suggestions to ensure a disciplined and serene start to the festive season and his new mandate.

“We must catch up on the maintenance of public spaces, including beaches, drains, markets, and sidewalks. We also need to meticulously address debris, utilizing special services for removing abandoned vehicles and construction waste.

Finally, we will confront the issue of dilapidated buildings, which pose significant dangers, like the Europa building in Curepipe and the Atrium in Roa-Hill.”

Regarding this last point, he called upon the relevant authorities to conduct a survey to catalog all derelict structures that require government attention.

“Our objective is to infuse new life into our country and environment. We cannot accomplish this goal without your involvement.

We must set aside our political differences and focus solely on the nation’s welfare,” he concluded.

Minister Bhagwan also urged the Environmental Police to adopt a more stringent approach. “This is your mandate: be ready to take action when necessary.”

He challenged the public to reflect on their responsibilities, questioning, “Has the Mauritian public become so ill-mannered that they act without considering others and the environmental consequences of their actions?

It is crucial to behave responsibly and seriously.”

Junior Minister Joanna Bérenger echoed these sentiments, asserting that “life depends on the environment, and prevention is better than cure.”

She emphasized the need for everyone to become “guardians of the environment.” Bérenger pointed out the necessity to reassess the ministry’s functionality to provide efficient service, a process she believes should be based on dialogue and transparency.

She also noted that in recent years, various agencies with similar mandates have struggled to work cohesively, which may have contributed to the country’s lag in beautifying and protecting the environment.

Bérenger expressed hope that all stakeholders could collaborate effectively for the better functioning of state operations.

In a press statement, she added that “the right of Nature will be enshrined in the constitution, which will further empower authorities to serve as guardians of the environment.”

Source: Le Mauricien