National Forestry Policy.

The new National Forestry Policy for the development of the forest sector in Mauritius is the outcome of discussions and consultations with key stakeholders in government, civil society and other interested parties. Its goal is to create public awareness of the productive and protective functions of the forests, the important role the forest sector plays in national development and human wellbeing and to ensure the conservation and sustainable management of forests of the country for the benefit of present and future generations. The following principles provide the foundation for forestry policy in Mauritius: assessing the forests and designate the forest estate into classification of functions (productive, protective, conservation, recreation and ecotourism); recognising the important contribution of the environmental functions of forests in water conservation, flood control, combating soil erosion, biodiversity conservation and support for tourism; elaborating a long term forest strategy for conservation of biodiversity and the environment, and implementation of a sustainable forest management system that will make a significant contribution to the socioeconomic development of the country; managing forest resources and forest lands on a sustainable basis to meet the socio-economic, ecological and cultural needs of the present and future generations - taking appropriate measures to protect forests and forest ecosystems (pollution, fires, insect pests and diseases) in order to maintain their diverse functions; acknowledging the importance of all types of forest in the ecological processes and in the maintenance of ecological balance at national, regional and global levels; balancing the development of all types of forest use with income derived from them, preference being given to the least destructive practices that produce the best economic outcome and environmental conservation.; encouraging and adopting appropriate land-use practices and planting of tree species that will give the best return on investment in abandoned sugar-cane fields, and also enhance land fertility and productivity; emphasising the role of forests in mitigating the effects of climate change and in carbon sequestration, etc.