Seychelles Nation - 18.04.2008
Making best use of our vital resources
Local conservationists are this week getting organised to carry out two new biodiversity-related projects.
Mr Dogley addressing participants at the opening of the workshop yesterday
The projects recently received funding from the Global Environmental Fund (GEF) and deal with conservation and sustainable use of Seychelles’ biodiversity, and controlling and eliminating invasive species that could arrive here through trade and travel.
It will cost an estimated US $5.6 million to carry them out, and a project coordination unit has been set up in the Department of Environment to see this through. It will receive help from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to put its work plan into effect.
Those who are to play a role in carrying out the work plan are taking part in a four-day workshop designed to help them understand and take ownership of the projects’ objectives as well as finalise the first year’s schedule.
The workshop got under way at the International Conference Centre yesterday, in the presence of the principal secretary for environment, Didier Dogley; the special adviser to the President and GEF focal point here, Dr Rolph Payet; and UNDP’s resident representative for Mauritius and Seychelles, Claudio Calderone, and its programme manager, Roland Alcindor.
Mr Dogley told workshop delegates that when the projects were conceived some eight years ago, conservationists wanted to consolidate work in areas already under protection in Seychelles.
After much reflection they realised that biodiversity knows no boundaries and that it would take a more concerted effort from all sectors of the country to conserve it, given the fast pace at which the country is developing.
He called on partners in the tourism, fisheries and construction industries to exercise restraint in their daily actions, to ensure that the biodiversity of the land is maintained and respected at all times.
Mr Alcindor spoke of the need to have efficient and proper procedures of accounting for expenses under the projects, saying it is a first for the GEF and UNDP to help the country with such large sums in full-scale projects such as the two in question.
He stressed that Seychelles will need to show it can deliver results in both projects, achievements that will serve as guarantees for future aid from the UNDP and GEF.
Mr Payet warned of a possible cutback in funds if there are delays in carrying out the projects’ work plan, as the GEF is very strict in this area.
The project on conservation and sustainable use of the country’s biodiversity may prove to be significant for the future, he added. It was singled out at the GEF’s last meeting in Vietnam last year as an example of how development and biodiversity can work together without upsetting each other’s course.
