Young Professionals - a Sustainable and Safe Planet : a Matter of Urgency

Eco-friendly, environment friendly, recycling are a few words that we hear almost every day. Are these mere statements or do we really take action to promote a clean environment? In the context of World Environment Day, this week we ask the new generation the following: How far are we environment conscious?

Ayushi Balluck : “Extremely few Mauritians are environmental friendly”

Ayushi Balluck argues that extremely few Mauritians are environmental friendly.   “We used to be surrounded by greenery, heavy forests and nature but now with industrial revolution in Mauritius, even the government has destroyed everything. We have bins gifted by the municipality, still we see people dumping their garbage outside the bin. Laws concerning the protection of the environment should be more severe.”

She believes that to be able to sensitize more people, media outlets like television, radio or even newspapers should be used. “There was a time when people used to be apprehensive about throwing a little dust because environment officers could be watching and they might be fined for such a tiny laxity, but now, we find bits of cigarettes and plastic bottles everywhere. People regardless of age know the meaning of the word pollution, but how many of them are really aware of its dangers and causes?”

Daveen Persand : “More pragmatic incentives needed”

The “paradise” image of Mauritius is at risk, highlights Daveen. “In our attempt for furthering development, we have created more problems stressing on environment. The carbon footprint of Mauritius is increasing and an analysis features us among the top 10 most important per capita producers of carbon dioxide of Africa.”

He explains that after cleaning only a parking lot in Ebène, the social project ‘Tap Water Revolution’ collected 42kg of plastic waste of which no more than 2kg could be recycled.

“A blatant reminder of the need for sensitization and awareness campaigns! Government must focus more on pragmatic incentives such as partnerships with proactive bodies in the likes of the recent deal between the Mauritius Ports Authority (MPA) and six institutions to clean the polluted port waters. Erosion is such that the affected areas of the public beach of Tamarin are an eyesore. More than 75% of our coral reefs are damaged and Mauritius has lost 10% of its beaches because of erosion.”

He adds that “it is urgent that measures are undertaken because the strategies of the National Development Strategy Scheme are clearly not implemented correctly.

“We cannot envision a strong, modern and healthy educated society without ensuring first that sustainability features high on the development agenda. By developing action plans to attract investors and providing subsidies to industries relying on alternative energy sources, implemented policies can be reinforced on the field and not just on paper. Change will only be brought if every citizen upholds his responsibilities towards the environment and commits to cut his energy consumption and recycle more inter alia else the toil on the ecosystem will grow to reach a point of no return.”

Nishta Jooty : “We need to plant more trees”

The President of the Rotary Club of Vacoas, Nishta Jooty explains that it is true that some organisations in Mauritius have gone green and some Mauritians are taking steps to move towards a sustainable and safe planet, but it is also a fact that our decisions and actions contribute to the deterioration of the environment.

“We tend to take our nature for granted and exploit its resources mercilessly. We are building more and more roads and buildings to the detriment of trees and other natural breeds. The Metro Express project has wiped out a lot of trees on its pathway. Our natural forests are being depleted. There are more and more vehicles on our road. We are polluting our land and sea with plastic. First of all, we have to educate the population. We need to target children as from primary school level. Parents should be aware that they have to be role models. If children see their parents polluting the environment, they are most likely to do the same.”

According to her, one of the main solutions is to plant trees. It is a gift for the future generations. “The President of the Rotary International, Ian Riseley, has challenged every Rotary club to make a difference by planting a tree for each of its members. The Rotary Club of Vacoas has accepted this challenge and has planted 40 endemic trees at the Rotary Green Park at SSR Avenue, Phoenix. People in the neighbourhood were approached and invited to plant trees as well. They were also sensitised on environmental issues. Protecting the environment and curbing climate change are essential to Rotary’s goal of sustainable service.”

Roshik Rughoonauth : “We are witnessing serious backlash”

Roshik Rughoonauth states that Mauritius has developed a dangerous habit of favoring progress over environment. “No one is arguing that progress should automatically be sacrificed for the environment. Our land has suffered enough. The uproar against the natural disaster that the ‘Metro Express’ would bring reflects the new mentality. Mauritians want a change: A change from the construction site to the conversation field. We are becoming more conscious of our actions. It is not enough, yet.”

He argues that our greed has been greeted with serious environmental backlash. Repercussions on flora and fauna are innumerable. “We nearly lost the Ebony tree. Nonetheless, as much as mentality changed, the law has not. Legislative lobbying is hence a necessity for the way forward. Currently, it is mandatory to have only 5% of green space on our land. Obviously, it is not enough. As a first step, that figure needs to be inreased.”