As the world commemorates the Wetlands Day for the first time since being adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in August last year, the National Assembly marked this day by taking action to help preserve our wetlands in an initiative spearheaded by the Environmental Policy Implementation Committee (EPIC) of the Secretariat.
The Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Roger Mancienne, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Gervais Henrie, in the presence of the Minister for Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment, Mr. Flavien Joubert, the Leader of the Government Business, Hon. Bernard Georges, Members of the Assembly and the Secretariat witnessed the remarkable event this morning whereby part of Ile Du Port and Perseverance coastal wetlands bordering the National Assembly grounds where officially adopted. The purpose for adopting the wetland area incorporated the aims: ADOPT the area to manage and protect them for future generations; REFOREST in order to increase the biodiversity and provide a home for wildlife ; EDUCATE Members & Staff on the importance of wetlands
In his keynote speech, the Speaker, Hon. Roger Mancienne highlighted the importance of the role of the legislative branch of government in ensuring the protection of the environment. Hon. Mancienne, stated further that the institution aims to protect the area for future generations and is valuing the benefits and role of the Wetlands in our ecosystem. Following the address of the Speaker, Minister Joubert, commended the National Assembly for the Initiative and reiterated the Ministry’s support and collaboration into helping the institution achieve its aim of nurturing the area to become a biodiversity hotspot.
The Wetland adopted by the parliament is home to only one species and that is the ‘Mangliye Rouz’. In the very near future the EPIC team, along with the Members of the Assembly aim to reforest the area and create a home for Wildlife and diverse mangrove species. The key moment of the ceremony was the planting of seedlings of ‘Mangliye blan’ to be later introduced in the Wetland area and the official unveiling of the plaque by the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly. Following the planting ceremony, Secretariat staff also had the chance of attending a talk on Wetlands by Mr Terrence Vel, of whom also kindly assisted the Assembly with expertise, seedlings and technical knowledge in order to make the event a success.
The Environmental Policy Implementation Committee (EPIC) was set up in the year 2020 following a month-long Sustainability Audit that was carried out in collaboration with the NGO - Sustainability for Seychelles (S4S) as part of an internal initiative in January 2019. In addition, today’s activity is another step ahead in the National Assembly initiative, through EPIC for a greener parliament.
