Olivier Masson
7 November 2007
Port Louis — ReCoMap is organizing a regional workshop with six Indian Ocean countries on sustainable ecotourism and the impact of tourism on coastlines. An opportunity to appraise the effectiveness of environment studies.
1. n ReCoMap is assessing opportunities in mariculture. 2.-3. n Meanwhile, natural resources are under high pressure from both climatic changes and exploitation for growing tourists' activity.
"We should look at better means of reinforcing the technical soundness of some Environmental Impact Assessment Reports." Among the proceedings of a regional workshop, ending today at the headquarters of the Indian Ocean Commission, are such remarks that are particularly thought-provoking.
The workshop is organised by the Regional programme for the sustainable management of the coastal zones of the countries of the Indian Ocean (ReCoMap). Two tourism specialists - Juan Palerm from Spain and David Picard from Germany - are delivering the results of their study on the impact of tourism on coastlines as well as potential opportunities for the development of eco-tourism as a source of livelihood for the region's coastal communities.
They conclude that there is a need for a better strategic plan when dealing with environmental issues. "A Strategic Environmental Assessment could provide the necessary policy guidance as authorities consider the two-million tourists objective by 2015", suggests Henri Agathe, ReCoMap national management officer.
Between the extremes of action zero and the blind denial of environmental issues against the needs for development, it is not always easy to acknowledge the virtues of a sensible middle-of-the-road position. "We aim at encouraging a fully integrated and sustainable way to manage the coasts", insists Henri Agathe.
But does it still make sense to think that tourism development can be canalised and do no harm to our natural resources when a 1998 study, ordered by the authorities and prepared notably by Environment engineer Vassen Kauppaymuthu clearly stated that our maximum tourist input capacity was 750 000 visitors? And even with 2 million tourists, would the coastal developments not be jeopardized by rising sealevel.
"We are fully conscious of the threats of the rising sea level and of climatic change. Our aim is to help resource management. We think a good way to deal with those issues is to stress the sustainability of any development rather than merely refuse it," adds Henri Agathe. ReCoMap is already assessing opportunities in mariculture for development among coastal communities.
Boost cooperation
Yet, will a change in the criterias behind EIA reports ensure more sustainable choices? "EIA reports are like passports allowing a development to be managed", declares a well-informed source. Yet, another school of thinking is for dealing with the actual policies and limiting the damage. "All sectors, including NGOs and local communities, with impact on the coasts should be considered at the same time with their representatives sitting at the same table." Now, through a Regional Technical Advisory Committee on Tourism, ReCoMap is trying to boost cooperation between Indian Ocean countries.
Meanwhile, a recent study on ecotourism by the National Geographic Travelor showed how islands dealt with conservation issues: Mauritius was simply the red lantern of the region! For the present workshop, six countries are represented: Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles and Tanzania. May we learn from it!
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