Seychelles An environmental treasure at its greatest present challenges - By P. Sinon.

1.0. Introduction

The archipelago of the Republic of Seychelles is a group of 40 granitic and 70 coralline islands and islets located in the South-Western Indian Ocean. It is the first country in the world to include conservation efforts in its cons9titution. Around 50% of the 455 square kilometre landmass of the Republic and more recently, 30% of its vast Exclusive Economic Zone of approximately 1.3 million square kilometres of clear turquoise and blue ocean- space, were protected. The Republic has the highest proportion of protected space in the world and is the first and only country in the Indian Ocean that has formulated, approved and is implementing its Maritime Spatial Plan.

2.0. The Seychelles Environmental conservation legacy

The country boasts two unique and distinguished natural habitats, both designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites. They are the ‘Vallee de Mai’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3HXojcRCvQ

or ‘Garden of Eden’ to many, that is the natural habitat for the ‘Coco-de-mer’ and Aldabra https://youtu.be/b0w_xDyLXz0

one of the world’s largest atoll and home to hundreds of giant land tortoises, with a large number of other endemic birds, reptiles, shells, corals and plants that roam and exist freely, undisturbed by human activities on the remote atoll.

The relatively pristine environment of the Republic is the result of conscious conservation efforts by the past authorities. Both its air and ocean qualities are ranked amongst the purest and cleanest on the planet. The photosynthetic harmony between man and nature is healthy. The islands are home to many endemic species that are found nowhere else in the world. This includes a unique selection of flora and fauna, with invertebrates alone contributing to over 2,000 endemic species that have evolved on some of the 40 oldest granitic islands on the planet.

Sustainability of the land (green) and maritime (blue) economies have been at the fore of the Seychelles Government as well as other concerned stakeholders in the national planning processes. The latter has given birth to the Blue Economy concept that the Republic of Seychelles spear-headed and continue to successfully promote and popularize across the globe.

Environmental and economic sustainability especially in Seychelles, are closely linked. The two main income earners being tourism and fisheries are both environmentally sensitive. The island state is ranked 38th out of 180 countries in the 2020 Environment Performance Index. It holds pole position amongst all African countries and other developing or emerging economies.

3.0. Risks & emergence of higher threats to conservation & sustainability

Despite an impressive record, the island state remains under pressure in a variety of forms, including climate change, insensitive development, over-exploitation of resources (fish especially Tuna), poaching, illegal, unreported and undeclared fishing and proliferation of invasive alien species. These species can range from insects to plants, mammals, birds, marine organisms and disease-causing agents. The most prominent threat in our EEZ was piracy mainly from Somalia. Today Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing as well as increasing illicit drug trade, remain the most precarious challenges to militate against. Boosting the limited capacity of the Seychelles Coast Guards and airforce remain a top priority and considerate challenge in this period of global economic meltdown and the paucity of technical and financial assistance.

The adverse global economic situation is incentivizing a lot more daring attempts at IUU and illicit, but well-coordinated drug smuggling trades in the Seychelles’ EEZ. The authorities meagre presence at sea have apprehended one or two but it is certain that an unacceptable amount are getting away with their illegal and illicit activities given the limited ability to cover the vast EEZ. The consistent availability of hard drugs on the local market is the testimony of this fact.

On land, we are seeing a backing down on the strictest of environmental norms. The over 200 rooms hotel at Anse la Mouche that had been on hold for years due to environmental concerns, has now been approved and well on the construction phase. Concerns have been expressed with regards to the wetlands and their vital functions in the area. Although assurances have been given that due care will be taken, the project is nonetheless the classic case of a natural habitat being transformed into tourism establishment that will never, ever return to its natural pristine state again. Plans for other substantive tourism projects in the pristine environs of 'Baie Ternay' and '; Grand Police' that had been previously mooted but put on hold due to environmental and other concerns are now resurfacing.

Meanwhile, eye-soar dilapidated and unused former 'Reef Golf Club" and the 'Mahe Beach' hotels amongst others still stand in ruins. One wonders what will happen to the carrying capacity of the island if all those former hotels plus the new ones come online. A past study of the carrying capacity of the highly tourists frequented Beau Vallon area issued stark warnings about a calamity that is waiting to happen if certain mitigating measures and infrastructure are not put in place as a matter of some urgency..

Furthermore and most worrying is the recent public declaration made by the President of the Republic in 'Truth and National Reconciliation' session that as part of the compensation to former proprietors whose lands were previously nationalized by the one-party state will receive unused state lands. When one drills just below the surface on the idea, it is clear that most of the so-called 'unused state lands' form a substantial part of the over 50% of our landmass that is designated as National Parks. Their return to private owners will invariably almost immediately give rise to a powerful lobby to declassify those lands that are presently as unbuildable national parks that are responsible for the clean air that we breathe and the lush green vegetation that welcomes every visitor into commercial buildable entities. This road will de-face and replace the green Seychelles that we enjoy to date into a space that we continue to see in many places in the name of 'development' devoid of sustainability considerations.

Already the economic downturn and desperation as a result of the pandemic have driven illegal activities to new heights. Actions that have never been experienced before are being recorded for the first time. On Praslin, the natural home to the 'coco-de-mer' a whole tree was cut down so that around 20 to 30 coco-de-mers could be poached overnight. Dr. Valentin a well respected and prominent Seychellois environmentalist and head of the TRASH NGO said it right when he stated that with such action we are now beginning to destroy a unique environmental legacy and heritage that we can hardly replace or replicate in our lifetimes. A couple of weeks later some endemic trees had also been cut and poached. Once again Dr Valentin voiced his growing concerns and highlighted the need for mass environmental education for all so that we all understand and raise our levels of appreciation for our natural treasures and their essential functions.

4.0. Innovative solutions especially in a period of economic difficulties.

The period of economic difficulties in the global arena is resulting in a very substantial drying up of funds for environmental conservation. Despite specific organisations such as the Global Environment Fund (GEF) and others, the downward trend persists as priorities are rapidly shifting.

The Republic of Seychelles has tried as best as its resources could push to support its programmes from an increasingly constrained budget. Some NGO's have been able to attract the attention of some environmental funding agencies and NGOs. However, the programmes and projects just to maintain the status quo, far exceeds the available funds required to get the job done. A country with decades of experience in implementing successive 'Environment Management Plans' that was superseded by the present 'Sustainable Seychelles strategies' has also been at the forefront in exploring innovative ways to source necessary funding.

Nature Seychelles a prominent environmental NGO has recently been the first in the region to mobilize funding through the digitized sale of an endangered bird species that collectors may buy and sell. Part of the funds transacted will go towards the sustainable activities of the NGO. They certainly deserve hearty congratulations for their innovative approach which if successful can be replicated by others.

On its part, the Government's innovative debt-swap initiative with the successful introduction of the 'Blue Bond' was able to cancel part of the country's debt and simultaneously raise funds for sustainable development projects in the relatively new 'Blue Economy' sector, a concept that Seychelles pioneered to propel it to its present global recognition.

Going forward, those innovative avenues for funding for environmental conservation cannot be ignored. Nature Seychelles is showing the way forward. The author is reliably informed of a 1 million grant of CO2Bitcoin from a USA company to the Government of Seychelles. The last time it was verified 1 CO2 Bitcoin was worth US$160. The company claims to have purchased large swathes of land in the Amazon rainforests to mitigate against climate change and ensure the conservation of the vegetation in their newly acquired forest lands.

A similar project or programme could be conceived for the compensation of lands that are now in the Seychelles National parks. But for that to materialize Seychelles must like some countries of the region and beyond should positively consider signing to benefit from the offer. A country that has worked hard to graduate from low to middle and finally to the league of higher-income country status, becomes a victim of its own success. It no longer qualifies for Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) or concessional funding and this is where the incentive for innovative financing kicks in and assume their pride of place.

It is going to be very difficult to maintain the environmental legacy that has been passed to us with over 50% of our land territory designated as National Parks. Passing this legacy intact to the next generation is an objective that all Seychellois will embrace. However, the legitimate requirement to compensate those that have lost their properties remain a substantial challenge.