VICTORIA, Seychelles — On February 2 this year, Seychelles joined in the global celebration of yet another World Wetlands Day, with the country’s main event held at the Constance Ephelia Resort in Port Launay. The occasion served a dual purpose, as it marked the 20th anniversary of the designation of the Port Glaud/Port Launay wetlands as a Ramsar site, a wetland of international importance. Present for the ceremony were Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment Minister Flavien Joubert, the elected member of the National Assembly for Port Glaud Egbert Aglaé, the general manager of Constance Ephelia Resort Seychelles Stephane Duchenne, environment and education officials, as well as students of Port Glaud primary school and the Seychelles Maritime Academy (SMA).
This year’s theme declared by the Ramsar Convention is Wetlands and Human Wellbeing, which denotes the importance of the connection between people and these fragile but vital ecosystems. Minister Joubert said in his address that the theme is a reminder that wetlands are not just environmental assets, but the foundation of livelihoods, food security, and cultural identity for millions of people around the world. The minister also used the occasion to highlight the role of young people in the future of wetlands conservation, and to thank the partners that have supported the ministry’s work over the past year.
It has been 20 years since Seychelles took a bold and historic decision to designate its first Ramsar site, seen as a wetland of international importance, making it the oldest wetland. Moreover, this paved the way for two other Ramsar sites, namely the Mare Aux Cochons high altitude wetlands and the coastal wetlands on the Aldabra Atoll, both designated in 2010. Over the course of two decades, the country has successfully restored approximately two acres where mangroves had ceased to thrive, safeguarding this delicate ecosystem rich in biodiversity. The achievement was accomplished through clean-up activities and the strategic replanting of mangrove trees.
Maintaining this mostly mangrove ecosystem has not been an easy task, said Minister Joubert. There were numerous support including non-governmental organisations and private businesses, of which the Constance Ephelia Resort Seychelles stands as one of the main contributors, added the minister. Head of the resort’s environment team, Markus Ultsch-Unrath, made a presentation to give a better insight on the significant improvement of the Port Glaud wetland. The most noticeable change was the transformation of the black, muddy area into greenery. The presentation also introduced the individuals behind this restoration since day one, and provided a useful reminder of the long-term nature of wetland restoration work.
The ministry also presented a token of appreciation to two remarkable individuals who played a vital role in the project, namely Dr Murugaya, a former senior project officer of the wetland unit who shared a brief history of the site, and France Sophola, a former supervisor of the same unit. An award of recognition was also given to the late Cedric Thomas, whose token was received by his wife, Veronique Thomas. Six students from the Seychelles Maritime Academy (SMA) also received their certificates presented by Corrine Julie and Nature Seychelles director Kerstin Henry for taking part in a training entitled Mangrove Conservation Programme in Seychelles, which was organised by Nature Seychelles through the Locally Empowered Area Protection (LEAP) project. The activity in Port Launay ended with the planting of new mangrove trees and a tour of the wetland area by the pupils and the minister.
