A two-day capacity building workshop on “The Study of Coastal Risks in Mauritius and Rodrigues” opened, yesterday, at the Caudan Arts Centre in Port Louis. The workshop aims to equip key stakeholders with the knowledge and tools to utilise new coastal erosion and submersion hazard maps—developed for both current and future climate scenarios for years 2050 and 2100.
The training is being delivered by coastal risk experts from France and Reunion Island who are from the Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (BRGM), a French public institution specialising in geosciences.
The mapping project, funded through a €1 million grant from the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), is part of a technical cooperation agreement signed in February 2022 between the AFD, BRGM, and the Ministry of Finance. It involves the assessment and detailed mapping of coastal risks for Mauritius and Rodrigues, with nearly 50 high-resolution maps produced, including focused assessments for hotspot areas such as Flic en Flac, Anse La Raie, and Port Mathurin.
Present on the occasion, the Acting Director, Department of Climate Change, Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change, Mrs Doolaree Boodhun, recalled that Mauritius, as a Small Island Developing State, continues to bear the brunt of climate change despite contributing less than 0.01% of global greenhouse gas emissions. She therefore underlined the urgency of safeguarding the nation’s vulnerable coastal zones, which are increasingly exposed to severe climate impacts.
Mauritius is facing a surge in climate-related disasters, including more frequent and intense cyclones, rising sea levels, storm surges, flash floods, and coastal erosion. Citing national data, Mrs Boodhun highlighted that sea levels around Mauritius are rising at a rate of 4.7 mm per year—well above the global average of 3.4 mm. With approximately 20% of the population and major economic assets located along the coastline, the socio-economic risks are substantial, she warned.
In response to these escalating risks, the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change has partnered with the AFD and the BRGM to conduct an assessment of coastal submersion and erosion risks for Mauritius and Rodrigues. As a result of this partnership, detailed hazard maps have been developed to illustrate the areas most vulnerable to coastal flooding and erosion through to the years 2050 and 2100.
“These maps are essential tools to improve our national preparedness and allow for better planning to reduce vulnerability in coastal communities,” recalled the Acting Director. She added that the Ministry is also implementing a wide-reaching coastal rehabilitation programme. Over the next five years, approximately 31 kilometres of beach across 32 priority sites will be restored. Nature-based solutions are also being promoted, such as the replacement of Casuarina trees with endemic coastal vegetation at key public beaches including Flic en Flac and Belle Mare.
According to the Acting Director, the newly unveiled maps will also assist other Government bodies in strategic development, urban planning, policy formulation, and disaster management. They are expected to support the work of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Centre and the National Emergency Operations Command by facilitating evacuation planning during extreme weather events, she said. Additionally, the Ministry is developing a Web Geographic Information System (GIS) platform to provide remote access to geospatial data for improved environmental planning and informed decision-making.
Mrs Boodhun concluded by emphasising that adapting to climate change is not a choice but a necessity. “This workshop represents a vital step in equipping our institutions and communities with the knowledge and tools required to strengthen coastal resilience for the future,” she said.
The project
The project started in June 2022 and will be completed in September 2025. Phase 1 of the project is completed. It comprised the identification of the most sensitive hotspots with regard to coastal erosion and submersion, and included a field survey by the experts. Extensive stakeholders’ consultation was held with respect to the findings following which Phase 1 was validated on 20 July 2023.
Based on the findings of Phase 1, Phase 2 comprises further analysis of the hotspots and the mapping of the coastal risks. Phase 3 of the project comprises a capacity building workshop for stakeholders.
Source : GIS Maurituis
