Debate on current projects underway in our coastal zones

Since 2015, various projects initiated at the proximity of our beaches have caused uproars, among them Pomponette, La Cambuse, and St Felix. No access to public due to privatization of beach in line with construction of hotels, causing inconveniences or damaging the beauty of the beaches. However, many have argued that these developments are for the benefits of the country, especially in the tourism and financial sectors. But how far can we trust that these projects are really done at the expense of our public beaches?

Sen Ramsamy : “We are using our limited stretch of beaches for our socio-economic wellbeing”

The Managing Director, Tourism Business Intelligence, states that despite the serious limitations in terms of resources, the country has been able to make significant socio-economic progress over the past 50 years. “How can we satisfy the legitimate aspirations of our people, especially our youth, if we do not come up with development programs that make use of the scarce resources available for economic growth, value addition, wealth and job creation? … As a nation, we have a choice to make and there is a cost for whichever choice,” argues Sen Ramsamy.

He explains that “the tourism sector has been built over the past 70 years using essentially our coastal zones as principal ingredient for job and wealth creations… Tourism remains the best performing sector in our economy.”  

He affirms that the emergence of any new development program has always met with optimism by many and skepticism by others. However, he states that “as a bottom-line, the country should move on, our economy should progress, our society should evolve and the exigencies and expectations of the people should be satisfied.”
He believes that there must be a judicious use of the coastline.

“The coastline of Mauritius is approximately 33 km and is primarily occupied by residential units, hotel complexes, public beaches, vegetation, reserves, estuaries, cliffs, etc. When we consider the space allocated for hotel development only, and the economic returns thus generated for our people (nearly Rs 60 billion of gross revenues annually and 100,000 direct and indirect jobs), it is clear that such a precious space resource is being put to use optimally with a sense of responsibility, intelligence and vision.”

How can we satisfy the legitimate aspirations of our people, especially our youth, if we do not come up with development programs that make use of the scarce resources available for economic growth, value addition, wealth and job creation?

On the other hand, Sen Ramsamy considers that a more disciplined and responsible utilization of existing public beaches would generate plenty of recreational space for our people. “We are prompt at transforming immaculate public beaches into disorganized parking zones and garbage dumping ground. And we seem to want still more so we may turn them into the equally lamentable areas.

Many years ago I proposed the transformation of public beaches into attractive Beach Parks equipped with decent amenities for public use,” he trusts.
Sen Ramsamy trusts that only “wrongly planned and executed” development projects would have serious adverse effects within the local community and on society.  What would be the best development model for coastal zone in general and our beaches in particular?

“The potentials still exist for us to transform our coastal zones into lively areas, which are economically vibrant, socially stimulating, environmentally sound, recreationally attractive and culturally rich. The education of the mass on ethics and civic responsibilities on our beaches and elsewhere should also be a normal civic responsibility, if not a compulsory lifestyle discipline,” states Sen Ramsamy.

Yan Hookoomsing : “We are at the risk of over-development”

Environmental activist and spokesperson of the group ‘Aret Kokin Nu Laplaz’, Yan Hookoomsing argues that the major issue is that “politicians are managing the country in opacity.” “They do not have the public interest at heart,” he claims on the question of the development projects.

Mauritians, he says, fully believe that they can have access to all beaches. However, it is just the contrary. He wonders why there are no water marks indications on our beaches. “In South Africa, you clearly see the high water marks signal but not in Mauritius. Other countries do not rent their lands unto the high water marks whereas here, we have seen the opposite.”

In his reference to the south coast, Yan Hookoomsing comments,  “The government has, in its National Development Strategy Plan, underlined that ‘Within approved Tourism Zones but outside of existing settlements, resort complexes and major campement sites, and outside Tourism Zones in open coastal and countryside locations, particularly in green fields and open locations where agricultural, environmental and landscape considerations are of national or district-wide significance, there will be a general presumption against major new development...

It also highlighted that ‘In locations in and adjacent to limits of permitted development, there will be a general presumption in favour of small scale developments where these can be shown to sustain local economies, especially where changes due to agricultural restructuring and diversification are envisaged in the sugar sector. But what are witnessing with the big hotel development and constructions in places like Pomponette?

In the same report, it is also stipulated that “within the South Coast Heritage Zone from Blue Bay to Baie du Cap, the existing coastline is preserved and that only limited tourism development should be permitted in and around existing centres, where inward investment can contribute to development clustering and thereby sustain local economies.”

Yan Hookoomsing in fact believes that we are at the risk of over-development. “In 1980, there were only 43 hotels. There are today 115.” He further explains that back in 1997, the Government had stated a Vision 2020 for Mauritius with a “green ceiling” set for achieving quality tourism: not more than 9,000 hotels rooms. “Exceeding that was seen as being suicidal for our tourism sector as well as criminal against our population’s right to enjoy beaches.  Clearly, we need to stop adding hotels and focus rather on preserving the attractiveness of Mauritius if we want tourists to keep coming to our country.”

Instead of letting tourism earnings go to big corporate projects, often ultimately to foreign multinational hotel management companies, it is time now to let local people get a direct slice of the tourism cake.

What are the solutions? “Instead of letting tourism earnings go to big corporate projects, often ultimately to foreign multinational hotel management companies, it is time now to let local people get a direct slice of the tourism cake. Allowing local villagers on the coast to set up their own ‘gites, auberges and tables d’hotes’ will also allow the coast to remain open and pristine for both Mauritians and tourists to enjoy,” he says.