Environmental research

The whole concept of this project is based on two problems: the youths of Roche Bois who are left on their own to face drugs, prostitution and other potential criminal offences; and the solid waste disposal problem faced by almost all small island developing states. The survey carried out by MPRB under GEF-SGP funding has shown that left on their own, the youths of Roche Bois (16-18 years old) are very vulnerable to dangerous practices into which they can be led if they are not coached and supported. Unemployment is dangerous for such vulnerable groups and AIDS a palpable threat. The only land fill site in Mauritius at Mare Chicose would reach it full capacity 5 years before it expected life span. Daily solid waste production, which was expected to be 500-700 Tons in the year 1990, has drastically increased to 1000 Tons and is likely to increase further with the economic & social development in the years to come. On the other hand the amount of solid wastes generated daily is not sufficient to be incinerated or transformed into useful energy. The reduction of solid wastes is a priority issue and must be addressed urgently. Recycling of solid wastes, composting of organic wastes, re-use of wastes or in general giving value to wastes should be duly considered. Furthermore, land fill is also associated with other environmental problems, such as leakage, contamination of aquifers and eutrophication of freshwater and lagoon contamination. The actual project is based on other projects that have been successful in other countries in the form of need-driven individuals programme, addressing poverty alleviation through local economic development and at the same time solving an existing national environment problem, which in this case is recycling of solid wastes. Description of Activities Initially, a place would be rented and developed to accommodate the EcoBaz. The EcoBaz would include not only a working place but also, all the basic living and working facilities, such as Kitchen, dining hall and storeroom. The working place would have to be equipped with sufficient furniture and should basic facilities such as water and electricity. A store to keep simple tools, recyclable waste materials and finished goods would also be included. At the same time, recruitment of trainers/trainees would be carried out. A meeting with trainees and responsible parties would be held, where details and expected outcomes of the project would be exposed and discussed with responsible parties, before they would be asked to give their consent. Side by side solid waste would be collected from local enterprises. The First set of activities of the main project will be the training of the trainers, which would be supported by trainers from the Craft academy of Quatre-Bornes and others. Opportunities would be given for trainees to use solid waste and they would also be encouraged to use their own imagination and creative thinking in making the finished goods. Some 50 items would be selected and submitted to the administrative committee. The administrative committee, with the help of local artists and entrepreneurs would select some 20 items for marketing. Marketing of the selected items would start just after the selection of the items. The second set of activities will concern the production of the finished goods. This would involve trainees whose items have been selected for production or have been ordered. The other trainees would present other items for selection or would improve on the unsuccessful items to be presented in the next administrative committee. The administrative committee would select another set of 10-15 items for marketing. While the third set of activities will involve trainees marketing and business only, The fourth set of activities will be concerned with data collection on type of useful solid wastes, amount, from where can be obtained. At the same time a survey will be carried out on the market demand, which will be useful for a subsequent monitoring of a national-wide programme for Mauritius. The four sets of activities would be repeated for the second 12 months (Year-2) but would be followed by a final report.

Mauritius