LocationsThe SLM project aims to support the Government of Mauritius to address the drivers of land degradation, biodiversity loss and ecosystems services deterioration and put the Republic of Mauritius on a path to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality.
UNDP Supports Sustainable Land Management Practices in Rodrigues
October 30, 2024
This initiative aimed at engaging more than 50 key stakeholders, and gathering additional data and insights to inform project implementation and decision making.
Sharon Sunassee / UNDP Mauritius
A three-day consultative workshop was organised in Rodrigues from 22 to 24 October under the ‘Sustainable Land Management and Biodiversity Conservation in the Republic of Mauritius’ (SLM) Project. Chaired by the Department Head of the Commission for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Production, Forestry and Plant and Animal Quarantine, the workshop was attended by over 50 representatives from the various commissions of the Rodrigues Regional Assembly, institutions, NGOs and Farmers Associations. This initiative aimed at engaging key stakeholders, and gathering additional data and insights to inform project implementation and decision making.
The Sustainable Land Management Project is funded by the Global Environment Facility, and implemented by the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security, through the Forestry Service, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It aims to address these issues by scaling up the adoption of sustainable land management in production landscapes in Mauritius and Rodrigues. The expected outcomes include a strengthened policy and institutional framework; the development of skills, tools and incentives to pilot and implement SLM practices; and improving knowledge management and gender mainstreaming.
Strengthening policy and institutional framework
The first day of the workshop focused on the legal component of the project and included presentations which highlighted specific laws on sustainable land management in Rodrigues. Participants engaged in group sessions on current unsustainable land management practices, gaps in existing legislation, and the main challenges preventing the implementation of these laws on the island. Discussions also touched on the effective implementation of regulations concerning Environmentally Sensitive Areas, noting that in Rodrigues, around 80% of the land area falls within one of the designated ESA types. The feedback received from participants will help to strengthen the policy and institutional framework for the promotion of SLM in Rodrigues.
Establishment of a Land Degradation Neutrality monitoring system
Day 2 focused on Land Degradation, which is a significant issue arising from human activities that exploit land, causing its utility, biodiversity, soil fertility and overall health to decline. In Rodrigues, the main drivers of land degradation include the conversion of forests to agricultural and grasslands, intensive domestic livestock rearing, overgrazing, unsustainable agriculture, harsh climate and invasive alien species. To address this issue, a Land Degradation Monitoring System will be established as part of the SLM project, to facilitate data collection & processing, monitor changes in land cover & productivity and assess land degradation over time. During the workshop, participants had the opportunity to share feedback on current ways of assessing land degradation in Rodrigues, which will be taken into consideration during the development of the monitoring system.
Gender Mainstreaming and Safeguards in Sustainable Land Management Practices
In Rodrigues, women play a pivotal role in natural resource management, and are predominantly engaged in community forestry and biodiversity conservation. Sessions during Day 3 were centered around Gender Mainstreaming, which is a key component of the SLM project. Participants explored the interlinkages between gender and land degradation, especially in the Rodrigues context. They also discussed the main barriers faced by women in accessing land, how land degradation disproportionately affects women and how gender considerations can be more effectively integrated into national policies. The workshop also included a presentation on the Safeguard Strategy, which aims at preventing and mitigating risks that could lead to potential harm to people and the environment throughout the SLM Project. It will ensure that all safeguard related plans are properly developed, overseen, updated and coordinated.
These consultative sessions are organised as part of the project implementation in Rodrigues. The project team and consultants carried out a series of meetings with key stakeholders and technical officials from the Commission of Agriculture and others. They also had the opportunity to engage with a farmers’ association from Mountain Cali, a silvo pastoral area to be rehabilitated under the project to support livestock production and the creation of a fodder reserve. Stay tuned for more information regarding upcoming activities during the next few months in Rodrigues.