Young environment warriors to launch CD |12 May 2005

The Minister for Environment and Natural Resources Ronny Jumeau said this to the 80 delegates attending the five-day third International Coral Reef Initiative meeting held recently at the Plantation Club resort.

He referred to them as "environment warriors" after those who won prizes in a competition launched to herald the message of conservation for the endangered coral reefs presented their songs.

"25 schools took part in the competition and we want to put their compilations on CD," environment education officer Jeanette Larue said, adding that there are no funds to do that, and the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources is seeking money from both international and local donors for the project.

"Now you know how we have achieved our successes in conservation," Mr Jumeau said, explaining that children here play a major role in sensitising the public on issues to do with the environment.

The team from Beau Vallon Secondary School came first in the senior category of the competition, and were followed by one from the Independent School and another from Mont Fleuri, in that order.

The junior category was won by a group from Independent School who were followed by competitors from Anse Etoile, while the third position was shared by Pointe Larue and Bel Ombre primary school teams.