Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, in regard to part (a) of the question, I am informed by the National Heritage Fund, a parastatal body operating under aegis of my Ministry, that there is currently no national policy in place specifically dedicated to the protection of National Heritage Sites from natural disasters and the impacts of climate change. This is a serious concern especially as Mauritius being a Small Island Developing State is increasingly exposed to extreme climate related hazards such as cyclones, torrential rainfall, rising sea levels, flooding and coastal erosion, all of which pose significant risk to our cultural heritage. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, while no national policy was developed or implemented by the previous government to address this challenge in a comprehensive and coordinated manner, some isolated efforts were made in response to obligation under the World Heritage Convention. As such, I am informed that there is a Disaster Risk Management Plan for the Aapravasi Ghat World Heritage property and there is a draft plan which is under preparation for Le Morne Cultural Landscape. These were initiated as part of UNESCO World Heritage Sites requirements. However, for the vast majority of National Heritage Sites across the country, no disaster preparedness or climate adaptation measures have been systematically adopted nor has the legislation been updated to reflect these urgent needs. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, this Government has placed this pressing concern high on its agenda, recognising that the conservation and safeguarding of our national heritage must go hand-in-hand with disaster and climate resilience. This priority is clearly reflected in the Government Programme 2025-2029: A Bridge to the Future, which pledges to strengthen cultural identity and reinforce the protection and valorisation of heritage sites. Accordingly, the National Heritage Fund Act 2003, which is now outdated, will be reviewed. A new National Heritage Authority Bill will be drafted to include, inter alia, emergency preparedness plans, integration of climate change adaptation into conservation planning and use of modern tools such as Artificial Intelligence and 3-D scanning to document, monitor and protect heritage assets.

68 Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, in regard to part (b) of the question, I am informed by the National Heritage Fund that it did not receive any request from the Chief Commissioner’s office of the Rodrigues Regional Assembly for the renovation or demolition works of the Residency building in Port Mathurin, Rodrigues. However, during a visit in Rodrigues, carried out by two officers of the National Heritage Fund, on 18 March 2025, at the request of the Rodrigues Tourism Office, the two officers were informed that a tender had already been awarded for the repair and restoration of the Residency building. Thereafter, the two officers were called upon to attend a meeting with the Departmental Head of the Commission whereby more details of the renovation project were communicated to them. Since the building is a National Heritage since 2001, the Departmental Head was informed that prior to any repair or restoration works, the clearance of the National Heritage Fund should have been sought as stipulated under Section 13(3) of the National Heritage Fund Act 2003. I am further informed, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, that the National Heritage Fund has on 20 March 2025, instructed the island’s Chief Executive to stop all works thereat with immediate effect and to submit a detailed clarification on the matter to enable the technical committee of the National Heritage Fund to examine same and thereafter make appropriate recommendations to the National Heritage Fund Board. Thank you.

Yes.

I thank the hon. Minister for his answer. May I ask the hon. Minister whether the NHF Board will consider the identification of additional sites of monuments deserving to be designated to the status of historical and cultural heritage sites in Rodrigues, just to name a few such as St Gabriel Cathedral, Mauritius Telecom Building at Mont Venus and also the last recoverable terraces remained at Dansamy?

Yes of course, we will do it.

One last question?

No, I have two, if you allow me, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir. It is very important. As per Schedule (Section 2) of the National Heritage Fund Act - National Heritage of Mauritius, Territory of Mauritius, Rodrigues -, out of the list of six sites, there is only one private property, namely Ben Gontran House at Barclay Street, Port Mathurin. May I seize this opportunity to humbly ask the hon. Minister to request the National Heritage Fund Board to discuss with the private owner for necessary measures and support as may be necessary to

69 maintain and protect this House so that it does not lose its national heritage identity and value? Thank you.

Yes, hon. Member, I will ask the National Heritage Fund to do so. Thank you.

The hon. First Member for Montagne Blanche and GRSE. LODGING ACCOMMODATION PERMIT – PERMITS GRANTED