A controversy is brewing in Mauritius over the Wetlands Bill, with Minister Rajesh Bhagwan and Joanna Bérenger engaging in a public spat. The issue began on October 3, when Bérenger criticized Bhagwan for not reacting to the bill when it was presented to the Cabinet on July 31 and to Parliament on August 4. Bérenger expressed her concerns about the bill and questioned Bhagwan's inaction, stating "Rajesh Bhagwan ki ti pe fer sa ler la? Li ti pe dormi?"
Bérenger's comments were made during a visit to La Mivoie with members of the FMP, at the request of local residents. The visit was an opportunity for Bérenger to engage with the community and address their concerns about the wetlands. The issue has sparked a heated debate, with Bhagwan responding to Bérenger's criticism. According to Bhagwan, a complaint was lodged by Bruno Le Merle on September 24, prompting his ministry to take action.
A visit was conducted on September 25, involving the District Council of Black River (DCBR) and the National Parks Conservation Service (NPCS). The visit aimed to assess three sites, but no wetlands were identified. However, the visit did reveal that a Building and Land Use Permit (BLUP) had been issued for 24 villas without environmental authorization.
The BLUP was issued by the DCBR, and Bhagwan's ministry is now dealing with the aftermath. For 45 proposed housing units, a permit application is currently under review. Meanwhile, a third project involving padel and tennis courts does not require a Preliminary Environmental Report (PER), Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), or Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), according to the ministry.
The ministry has stated that the NPCS must confirm the absence of wetlands. For the 45 housing units, a PER will be requested. Bhagwan emphasized that his ministry cannot revoke a BLUP that was issued by the DCBR. This clarification has done little to alleviate concerns about the impact of development on Mauritius' wetlands.
The controversy highlights the challenges of balancing development and environmental protection in Mauritius. The Wetlands Bill aims to regulate activities in sensitive ecosystems, but its implementation has been questioned. Bérenger's criticism of Bhagwan reflects concerns about the government's commitment to environmental protection.
The issue is likely to continue sparking debate in the coming weeks. Key stakeholders, including environmental groups and local residents, will be watching closely to see how the government responds to concerns about the Wetlands Bill.
Key points
- The controversy revolves around the government's handling of the Wetlands Bill and its impact on environmental protection in Mauritius.
- The debate highlights the challenges of balancing development and environmental protection in Mauritius.
- The issue has sparked a public spat between Minister Rajesh Bhagwan and Joanna Bérenger.
