Seychelles Sustainable Forest Management Policy approved by Cabinet
A Seychelles Sustainable Forest Management Policy, to enhance the economic contribution of forests through sustainable practices while bolstering biodiversity conservation and promoting eco-tourism, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers recently.
The chief executive of the in Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority (SPGA), Allen Cedras, told SNA on Monday, "The policy does not really include new elements, it is just improving on existing forestry laws."
The Seychelles Forest Reserves Act was passed into law in March 1955 and the current Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment is tasked with overseeing the new Sustainable Forest Management Policy while the SPGA will implement it.
Other parties involved with the policy include the Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF), the Terrestrial Restoration Action Society Seychelles (TRASS) and the Seychelles Plant Conservation Action Group (PCA).
Cedras said with the new policy, local environmental authorities will "work strategically to effectively protect the country's forests and provide a healthy habitat to its endemic species."
The SPGA is responsible for the management of marine and terrestrial national parks with associated trails and gardens in Seychelles, which are 115 islands in the western Indian Ocean.
According to Cedras, the main problem the country faces at the moment, is the number of invasive species that are now taking over pristine areas endemic species are found.
"This has happened due to people travelling and bringing in back plants they think are pretty into the country - that quickly spread and are difficult to control," he added.
With the implementation of the new policy, SPGA and its partners will be working on continuous and well planned methods to deal with the invasive species.
Cedras explained that once Seychelles can tackle these issues, the island nation will be able to offer visitors and citizens a better experience of the country's nature.
The new forestry policy also incorporates aspects of sustainability and eco-tourism.
Source: Seychelles Tourism Agency
