Reply: The Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change is implementing an ongoing coastal rehabilitation programme in an integrated and sustainable approach. Since 2022, the services of a consultancy firm have been enlisted for a duration of 60 months to the tune of Rs94.6 million for the design and supervision of coastal protection measures at 16 priority sites. The 16 priority sites include, amongst others, coastal regions of Riambel, St Felix, Rivière des Galets, Bel Ombre, La Prairie, Trou Chenille (Le Morne), La Mivoie, La Preneuse, Albion and Souillac Cemetry. Based on the degree of erosion and site specificities, the consultant has recommended specific coastal protection and rehabilitation works which would include hard measures as well as nature-based solutions at those regions at a total estimated cost of around Rs1.6 billion. Regarding the sites from Riambel to Rivière Noire, they are currently at the consultancy and design development stage. Moreover, under the “Résilience des écosystèmes côtières des pays du sud-ouest de l’Océan Indien’’, commonly known as the RECOS project, at the level of the Indian Ocean Commission, with the Ministry as the National Focal Point, an Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan for the district of Black River is expected to be prepared. The aim is to ensure sustainable coastal development, enhance ecosystem resilience and address coastal erosion through an integrated science-based approach. An additional component of this regional project is the Jacotet River Pilot Project, led by the non-governmental organisation, Reef Conservation, which is adopting a ridge-to-reef approach to integrate watershed and coastal zone management in the Bel Ombre region. The

128 RECOS project started in November 2021 and is expected to end by November 2026, with possible extension up to June 2027. LE MORNE PUBLIC BEACH – BASIC AMENITIES PROVISION