Kevin C. Lukeeram appointed chair of Pan-African Parliament's Justice and Human Rights Commission

Mauritius budget 2026-2027: Environmental measures receive mixed reactions from eco-citizen groups

The Mauritian government's 2026-2027 budget, presented by Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Navin Ramgoolam, prioritizes environmental protection and climate resilience. Measures include a 4 billion Rupee allocation for the Coastal Erosion Adaptation Programme to rehabilitate over 11.5 kilometers of severely affected coastline across 17 priority sites over the next five years. The budget also emphasizes nature-based solutions like reforestation, wetland preservation, dune restoration, and coastal vegetation rehabilitation, alongside the development of a National Shoreline Management Strategy. The revival of the Maurice Île Durable project, now integrated into the country's ecological transition strategy, and the creation of a Just Transition Commission are also highlighted. Eco-citizen groups Mru2025-AKNL and Platform Moris Lanvironnman offered mixed reactions. Carina Gounden, spokesperson for Mru2025-AKNL, views the budget announcements as largely confirming existing initiatives rather than introducing groundbreaking changes. She welcomes the focus on nature-based solutions but stresses the need for courageous decisions and better inter-institutional coordination. Gounden also notes the decision to no longer grant new leases for state lands and Pas Géométriques under the G+2 regime for apartment sales to foreigners, though she believes its scope is limited as it doesn't affect already approved projects or the preservation of undeveloped Pas Géométriques. A major concern