Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I wish to refer the House to my reply to the PNQ of 6 May 2025. The House will recall that I referred to the situation that prevailed in that reply on Ile aux Bénitiers. That islet had witnessed an increase in unregulated commercial activities, including informal food and beverage operations, unauthorised recreational setups and erection of structures that are inconsistent with the land use and environmental planning principles. These activities have raised concerns regarding sanitation, waste management, environmental degradation, negative effects on biodiversity and the ecosystem as well as the preservation of public access and cultural value.

69 Ever since then, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, there have been several meetings under the chairmanship of the Deputy Prime Minister. And I must state that the work was not only about Ile aux Bénitiers but also started work about other islets around Mauritius. As regards the work that has already been initiated on Ile aux Bénitiers, as a pilot case, in order to regulate existing trade and tourism activities while ensuring the protection of the island’s fragile ecosystem, we have delimited a temporary recreational zone to accommodate barbecue operators and handicraft sellers. At the same time, a comprehensive masterplan has been elaborated in consultation with all the relevant authorities, with a view to establishing a permanent recreational zone that balances economic activities with the preservation of biodiversity. So, we are going for Ile aux Bénitiers approximately on two thirds for conservation and a third for the rest. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, a sum of Rs8 million has been provided in the Financial Year 2025-2026 for the cleaning of islets. Along this line, consideration is being given for the management strategy used for Ile aux Bénitiers to be replicated to other islets around Mauritius. It has been planned – as recommended and suggested by the hon. Deputy Prime Minister – that we would, after Ile aux Bénitiers, also be going to visit some of the islets around Mauritius and we would be starting with some in the North. And the issue therefore, is to promote a balanced approach that encourages responsible tourism and economic opportunities while preserving the natural heritage of our coastal and marine assets. So, in this perspective, I would like to thank all those who have collaborated in this effort; all relevant stakeholders, obviously starting with the Deputy Prime Minister and also the Minister of Environment, Minister of Agro-Industry and their respective Ministries and the Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Local Government as well and all the other local authorities that have been very helpful in the process. I must however add that at this juncture, we are reflecting in line with what your question is, on which will be the authority eventually that will be responsible for the management of all the islets. Will it be under the Beach Authority as we had discussed or will it be under a dedicated authority under the Ministry of Environment with all les acteurs concernés? But there needs to be an effort and a dedicated effort in order to ensure that whatever we started at Ile aux Bénitiers under the chairmanship of the meeting with hon. Deputy Prime Minister, that we continue it vis-à-vis other islets.

Yes, do you have a supplementary?

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Yes. Is there any proposed timeline for completion of the works on all our islets?

Well, in actual fact, I looked at the documents that have been given to me and the number of islets that exist around Mauritius, and there are indeed quite a few. And if I was to look at it, there are from memory, approximately 52 and out of the 52, there are two of them that are privately owned. So, we are concerned with about 50 of them. So, going to all of them will take the time that it takes and obviously at this juncture, we rely on the generosity and collaboration of the National Coast Guard to take all officers there. We do not have dedicated vessels to take us to each and every island. So, that is why far from trying to put a timeline on the whole process – what is important here is results and it will take the time that it takes because at the end of the day, we have to give results. And within this mandate, we hope that we will have replicated the excellent work that has been done for Ile aux Bénitiers on other islets with the collaboration of all my friends in Cabinet and Members of Parliament who are also very helpful in connecting us with other people and those who are operating on these islets.

The hon. First Member for Port Louis North and Montagne Longue! SINGAMANIE VILLAGE, BOIS MARCHAND – SQUATTERS – REGULARISATION