Port Louis — Hardly one year after the government's decision not to build a highway through Ferney Forest, Ciel is launching its "green" project. Its ambitious long-term plan is to re-introduce endemic species.

The anniversary was worth a celebration. A year after giving up the idea of cutting down thousands of trees inside Ferney valley to build the South-Eastern highway, Ciel Properties Ltd have inaugurated the first eco-tourist track. The Ferney valley - or at least part of it- has been open to the public since Saturday for everyone to measure its importance for the Mauritian natural heritage and to take advantage of its beauties. But it is not just one more eco-tourism project... It involves a real commitment for "responsible conservation management".

After a two-hour walk through the valley, all visitors will agree that Ferney is undeniably a unique site. Even if you are not particularly aware of specific plants or trees, the guides help you have a better idea of their unique characteristics. Some exist only in the valley and many others only in Mauritius... But exotic plants such as "goyave de chine" are jeopardising the survival of such rare and endemic species.

Rare birds also protected

Ciel Properties implemented the project as soon as they realised that the highway would not cross the forest. Ferney Ltd has already started working in close collaboration with the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) to conduct a site survey to take stock of the richness of the flora and fauna existing in the valley.

According to this survey, a Ferney Forest Conservation area will be defined and all exotic plants destroyed within this zone to allow all endemic plants to grow properly. The company will make sure that rare birds are protected and will even re-introduce endemic species such as the pink pigeon or the "cateau verte". Thanks to close monitoring by the MWF, whose members will eventually be based in a field station, the different species will be gradually introduced and their welfare kept under close surveillance. A nursery has also been built to ensure the reproduction of rare species of plants.

In the long-term, the area should become a real Mauritian endemic forest as it was hundreds of years ago. The aim is to show the whole world that Mauritius is capable of rescuing its endangered species.

Visitors can go and make up their own minds about the Ferney project. For Rs 90 (Rs 45 for children and Rs 50 for old-age pensioners - special prices can be negotiated for schools or groups and special packages comprising a light lunch have also been set up for tourists) - Mauritians will be able to rediscover the beauty of the hinterland while enjoying some walking. This track is only the first of many to come and is accessible to people of all ages. The ones to be opened later - probably in a few months - may be more to the taste of adventurous explorers in quest of more challenging walks...