Mauritius allocates 4 billion rupees for coastal erosion and climate resilience
via Le Mauricien2 min read
Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Navin Ramgoolam, announced during the presentation of the 2026-27 budget that Mauritius will prioritize environmental protection and climate resilience. As a small island state, Mauritius faces significant climate change risks. A sum of 4 billion rupees will be allocated to the Coastal Erosion Adaptation Programme over the next five years to rehabilitate over 11.5 kilometers of severely eroded coastline across 17 priority sites. This initiative will be complemented by nature-based solutions, including reforestation, wetland preservation, dune restoration, and coastal vegetation rehabilitation. The government also aims to improve waste management, as only about 7% of waste in Mauritius is currently recovered and recycled. Challenges in this sector include limited quantities of sorted recyclable materials, high operating costs, and restricted markets for recycled products. The new funding will strengthen recovery channels, encourage investment, and make previously uneconomical waste streams viable, promoting a circular economy. Addressing plastic pollution is another key focus, with approximately 170 million PET bottles produced annually. The PET tax will be extended to all relevant containers to encourage a shift in consumption patterns. Additionally, a National Shoreline Management Strategy will be developed, and the Maurice 脦le Durable project will be relaunched as part of the country's ecological transition strategy. Navin Ramgoolam e
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Mauricien.
Mauritius has unveiled a new "Law and Order" strategy, backed by an investment of Rs 14.2 billion, to enhance security operations and strengthen the Mauritius Police Force. Key initiatives include Rs 125 million for modernizing the police vehicle fleet and Rs 531 million for additional equipment to improve field responsiveness. The government is also establishing a National Crime Agency NCA with Rs 200 million to boost crime-fighting coordination and investigative efficiency against organized networks. Community Policing will be revamped with Neighbourhood Officers maintaining direct contact with families and citizens to prevent drug use and identify social issues. Law enforcement, including the Special Mobile Force, will intensify operations against various offenses such as theft, illegal rallies, clandestine betting, and public nuisances, while the Safe City Network will be further utilized for surveillance. In the fight against drug trafficking, a three-pronged approach focuses on prevention, dismantling networks, and supporting victims. An additional Rs 80 million will go to the National Agency for Drug Control NADC for national awareness campaigns and a rapid alert system for new synthetic drugs. Legislation will be strengthened to expand the list of synthetic drugs considered criminal offenses, and a national consultation on cannabis is underway. The Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit ADSU will receive Rs 436 million to enhance operations, focusing on financial intelligence a
Mauritius is introducing new legislation to make violations of protection orders a criminal offense, aiming to enhance safety and gender equality. A new domestic violence bill will reinforce protection orders, and a coordinating committee on gender-based violence will be established for rapid, inter-institutional responses. Victims of gender-based violence will also receive support through financial autonomy training. To protect vulnerable children, a National Adoption Bill will create a modern legal framework for adoption and a dedicated adoption authority. The Foster Care Advisory Unit will be strengthened, and foster care regulations revised to simplify assessments for prospective foster parents and build a stronger network of qualified foster families. Ten million rupees are allocated for new shelters, specialized caregiver training, and a transitional home. The national gender equality policy will be extended across all sectors to integrate gender into decision-making, with five million rupees allocated for a women's incubator under the SME program. New laws are also being developed to ensure a minimum 25% female representation on the boards of parastatal bodies. Additionally, women seeking loans will no longer require spousal consent, and a "She Invents" project will promote women in research and innovation.
The government aims to increase sugar production to 250,000 tonnes by 2030, supported by an annual subsidy of Rs 100 million for three years to rehabilitate 500 hectares for small and medium planters. To enhance tea production, a subsidy covering 50% of replanting costs, up to Rs 25,000 per arpent, will be offered to small planters, projected to increase tea production by 50% by 2029. A Forest Bill will be introduced to promote agroforestry and forest resilience to climate change. A resource center for researchers and farmers will also be established to encourage healthy food production for the local market and strengthen food security. The government will invest Rs 45 million to improve infrastructure for goat, sheep, and cattle farms, increasing their breeding capacity. Additionally, Rs 75 million will be allocated to breeders for animal feed, and Rs 27 million under the Livestock Development Scheme for animal purchases, farm equipment, and veterinary services. A state-of-the-art veterinary center will be built with Rs 50 million.