Land pollution in Mauritius

In Mauritius today, one of the most significant and escalating issues being faced by the population is pollution. For years and years now it has not only affected the flora and fauna of the island but also the economy and the society. In this blog post we will be looking at how much this issue has affected the island, what has been done by the government and locals to address this issue and possible solutions to reduce this growing issue.

Land pollution has significantly affected the island in many different ways; for example, everywhere you look, you will find trash, such as food packaging, bottles, etc., all on the ground from no one knows when. One of the most seen impacts is the strain set on the only landfill in Mauritius, which is starting to get full. Every day, Mauritius generates around 1,200 to 1,500 tonnes of waste, with more than 95% of it ending up in this landfill. As a result, nearby communities experience foul odours, leachate runoff, and increased traffic from garbage trucks. There are also illegal goings-on, such as dumping in canals, fields and on roads leading to the contamination of the soil.





Due to these issues mentioned above, the government has tried to take some actions in order to reduce this issue. One major initiative is the introduction of the Waste Management and Resource Recovery Act (2023), which encourages a shift toward a circular economy by classifying waste and regulating how it's collected, stored, and recycled. The law also includes stronger penalties for illegal dumping and mandates environmental impact assessments (EIAs) and strategic environmental assessments (SEAs) for development projects. Public clean-up campaigns and stream rehabilitation projects are being carried out regularly by the Ministry of Environment. Also, landowners, hotels and factories who neglect their properties and are susceptible to illegal dumping are being given warnings and fines by local authorities.


Although the local government have taken the issue into consideration through campaigns and by passing laws, they have also neglected some important aspects of this issue. Some of the solutions could be more community-driven; for example, expanding composting and recycling infrastructure, as on the island only 5% of the waste is recycled, which could be facilitated through neighbourhood collection systems and education campaigns. People should promote eco-friendly practices through schools, social media and community centres. Those practices could include composting at home, reducing single-use plastics and contributing to local clean-ups.

Therefore, we can see that in Mauritius pollution is not just an environmental but also a social, health and economic problem. Even though governments have created campaigns and regulations to combat this issue, it has not been enough to fully reduce its impact on multiple aspects of the island. By switching to more sustainable, community-driven initiatives and raising awareness on this issue, Mauritius can become a cleaner and healthier island. Together, we can preserve the island's natural heritage and ensure that it remains safe, prosperous, and vibrant for generations to come.


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