Helping restore nature |12 June 2017
“Wow! Things are looking so good since we were last here!” said one. “And we can see all of south Mahé now!” said another.
These reactions came from some Port Glaud residents who have shown a long-term interest in helping at a very special vegetation site near Morne Blanc.
Admiring the view to the south of Mahé, surrounded by native vegetation
The environmental restoration area is on a ridge near to the Tea Factory and Tea Tavern on the Sans Soucis/Forêt Noire road above Port Glaud. It started off in 2011 as part of an experiment in which all alien plants were removed from amongst the native glacis vegetation. Now six years later, released from the overwhelming competition which alien species produce, the native species ‒ including many Seychelles endemics such as pitcher plants (lalyann potao), kapisen, kolofant and bwa rouz ‒ are flourishing.
But simply removing the alien vegetation is only the first step! Alien plant species try very hard to grow back and their seeds in the soil start to grow; so regular maintenance is essential, as any of you who have gardens know well ‒ weeds are a constant problem!
The Plant Conservation Action group (PCA, a local NGO), together with the Seychelles National Parks Authority (SNPA) set up a project funded by the GEF Small Grant Programme, so that the experimental site could be maintained and assisted in its reversion to the beautiful state in which it evolved, with all of its biodiversity. SNPA carries out a six-monthly major maintenance, while PCA works with various Port Glaud community groups to do more regular small weeding of alien seedlings.
Weeding out alien seedlings
One pile of seedlings removed from around the endemic plants
On Sunday May 21, as a way of marking both Plant Conservation Day (May 18) and Biodiversity Day (May 22), a community weeding activity was carried out by members of the Port Glaud Seventh Day Adventist church. The work had to be done very carefully as it is easy to trample the native seedlings which are also growing. Many of the alien bwa zonn seedlings had grown significantly since the group was last at the site, and new ones were appearing, along with fo watouk, albizya and cinnamon. After about two hours, three huge piles of ‘weeds’ had been created.
The SDA group enjoying the view and having a well-earned rest
At the same time, the site is being made more accessible and attractive for visitors, and two weeks later, to mark Environment Day (June 5) another group of community volunteers came from the Ephelia Resort Eco-group to help with improving the short circular nature trail path. They certainly worked hard ‒ carrying logs to help protect the path from soil erosion at the edges, fixing them in place and helping to build steps to make the path safer.
Carrying logs to place at the edge of the nature trail
Most of the Ephelia group had never visited the site before. They found it very interesting to learn and understand about the glacis vegetation restoration project. What impressed them was how animals, plants and people interact with each other in ways which can be so negative for the environment, and how important it is for motivated people to restore areas were necessary.
At the end of the day, Seychelles glacis vegetation rejoiced and community members felt satisfied with their work: “I never thought my Seychelles can be so beautiful. Going on the walk there showed me that I don't have to go to any other country to see the beauty of creation to its fullest. I'm just happy I got the chance to help restore the garden of my Seychelles.”
Contributed by Alvin