Combating invasive species

A sustainable forest management policy for Seychelles seeks to boost the economic benefits of forests through sustainable practices. The policy aims to enhance biodiversity conservation and promote ecotourism. These initiatives have been approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Allen Cedras, General Manager of the Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority (SPGA), told SNA on Monday, « The policy doesn’t really include any new elements; it simply improves on existing forestry laws ». The Seychelles Forest Reserves Act, passed in March 1955, serves as the foundation for the new sustainable forest management policy. The Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change, and Environment will oversee the policy, while the SPGA will implement it. Other involved parties include the Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF), the Terrestrial Restoration Action Society Seychelles (TRASS), and the Seychelles Plant Conservation Action Group (PCA).

The SPGA manages the marine and terrestrial national parks, along with associated trails and gardens, across Seychelles’ 115 islands in the western Indian Ocean. Cedras highlighted that a major issue facing the country is the invasion of pristine areas by invasive species, threatening endemic species. The new policy aims to establish continuous and well-planned methods to combat these invasive species, with the SPGA and its partners leading the efforts.