Environment and Energy Minister Rolph Payet’s message on International Day of Biodiversity

Environment and Energy Minister Rolph Payet’s message on International Day of Biodiversity

23-May-2014
‘Island Biodiversity’ theme relevant to Seychelles

Today the world commemorates the International Day of Biodiversity and in his message, Environment and Energy Minister RolphMinister Payet Payet has said that the theme of ‘Island Biodiversity’ is especially relevant to the Seychelles.

The minister’s message reads:

“As a small island developing state, the 2014 international day for Biodiversity theme of ‘Island Biodiversity’ is especially relevant to the Seychelles, as a leader in conservation.

“Islands and their surrounding near-shore marine areas constitute unique ecosystems often comprising many plants and animal species that are endemic, found nowhere else on Earth. The legacy of a unique evolutionary history, these ecosystems are irreplaceable treasures. They are also key to the livelihood, economy, well-being and cultural identity of 600 million islanders – one-tenth of the world’s population.

“Seychelles would not be the island paradise without its unique and spectacular beauty. We owe our tourism industry to its environment. We also owe our livelihood, our fisheries to its abundance in tropical food and fish. Our health, our water is all possible through the extensive forests we have preserved for this and future generations. Sadly with the pressure of development and climate change we need to strive for more sustainability in our actions. It is the moral duty of every Seychellois, every business and every tourism developer to respect and care for our unique biodiversity.

“While islands constitute less than 5% of the Earth’s landmass they provide habitat for 40% of all listed critically endangered and endangered species. In Seychelles we have the highest density of endemic lizards per square metre than anywhere in the world, and the largest population of wild giant tortoises in the world. These credentials, together with the millions of birds and marine mammals that thrive freely in our territory, make Seychelles a very unique place on earth. Let us all be proud of what we have inherited.

“I close with a quote from the secretary general of the United Nations, Ban Ki Moon: ‘On this International Day, let us commit to adopting, adapting and scaling up best practices so we can protect fragile ecosystems for the benefit of all the islanders – and indeed people everywhere – who depend on them’.”

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=241774

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http://rolphpayet.webs.com/background.htm

Environmental authorisation: Are you adhering to its conditions?

17-August-2015


During the last decade or so, Seychelles has seen a significant increase in the number of development. It is not a secret that the country has seen developments in different scales which has benefited both the population and the country’s economy.

Nonetheless, this recent boom in construction has resulted in several environmental issues. Concerns have and continue to be raised especially during the construction phase of the developments.

The Environmental Impacts Assessment Regulations 1996 governs the procedures for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in Seychelles, prior to the start of any project or activity as prescribed in the Schedules of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations 1996. This process is carried out under the authority of the environment department in close collaboration with the Ministry of Land Use and Housing (MLUH).

The EIA itself is the study which is conducted to identify the potential impacts of any proposed development; it further provides ways in which the impacts may be mitigated.

There are two types of EIA in Seychelles. A Class 11 EIA is conducted for developments which are on a smaller scale such as houses, retaining walls, subdivisions etc. This study is conducted under the auspice of the environment department by its officers. On the other hand, a Class I EIA is conducted for large scale developments and for projects listed in Schedule 1 of the EPA or which will be located in ecologically sensitive areas. This type of EIA requires the proponent/developer to obtain the services of an environmental consultant to carry out the assessmen.

Environmental authorisations are given for the developments if the EIA conducted shows that the development is feasible and/or is able to propose measures to reduce foreseen adverse effects on the environment. Environmental authorisations are issued with conditions which need to be adhered to. Unfortunately this is not always the case.

Failure to comply with the environment authorisation conditions will result in further actions to be taken by the authority.
Since last year, the number of reported non-adherence cases has increased. The most common ones include: Burning and tree felling without the benefit of proper permits (which are stipulated in environmental authorisations) from the forestry section;
Working beyond approved working hours. (The environmental authorisation states that “Normal working hours 0800-1600hrs during weekdays, 0800-1300hrs on Saturdays, and strictly no work on Sundays and public holidays”).

Undertaking earthworks during rainy seasons; which often cause severe sedimentation into rivers as well as construction works which are carried out after normal working hours.

Failure to comply with the stated conditions may result in one of the following actions to be taken:

Stop Notice to be issued on the development;
An Enforcement Notice to be served to the developer which may result in fines to be imposed.

The work of the environment department is an ongoing quest to protect and manage the environment for our future generations.
However, it is not only the responsibility of the environment department but it is also the responsibility of every individual to do their part to maintain the high quality of the Seychelles environment.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=246463