Environmental research

Grand-Sable is highly vulnerable to climate change due to its topography. The households and fields are sandwiched between the mountains and the coast. Soil erosion and waterlogging in the fields due to the frequent occurrences of high-intensity rainfall add constant pressure to the land. Coastal infrastructures are also under pressure due to high rate of coastal erosion. This project aims at mitigating soil erosion and waterlogging in fields which are likely to be accentuated by climate change and empowering the women on alternative income-generating activities to help them meet the challenges of climate change. Women are most likely to suffer from climate change but they are also the most capable of creating change and adaptation within their communities. The community will also be sensitised on the importance of mangroves as a means to protect the shoreline from erosion and in maintaining water quality and clarity and filtering pollutants. This will be led as a support to the mangrove plantation campaign in the second project being submitted by Grand Sable Fishermen Association, both components being supported by the Adaptation Fund Programme. 1.4.2 Project Funding The CBA funds will be mainly utilised for increasing resilience of the soil ecosystem to climate change impacts, particularly flooding and enhancing the livelihood of the community, through the culture of seaweed for soap making and cultivation of medicinal plants as the main income generating activities for the women. The collaborations of Mauritius Research Council (MRC) for seaweed farming and development of seaweed food-based products, and the University of Mauritius (UoM) for investigating the potential of seaweed soap making, have been sought. There are opportunities for the project to be co-financed by the Adaptation Fund Board (AFB) which has as objective to increase climate resilience of communities and livelihoods in coastal areas of Mauritius. Co-financing will be in cash for awareness-raising of the communities on mangrove propagation. There is also room for in-kind contribution in terms of (1) plot of land from the women association for cultivation of Vetiver, Ayapana, Citronelle and Baton Rouge Cooperative Society for Cassava cultivation and (2) training on seaweed farming techniques by MRC. 1.4.3 Project Implementation The project will be carried out in different phases namely: Activity 1: Seaweed Farming and development of seaweed derived products (soaps, pickles and jams) Seaweed cultivation of different species would not only create jobs but would also act as a carbon-capture for greenhouse gas mitigation measures. This project activity will include community mapping, capacity building and implementation of farm, observation and monitoring of seaweed growth and development of seaweed derived products (soap, pickles and jam). Research has already been initiated by the MRC in seaweed farming and in the development of seaweed derived products both in Mauritius and in Rodrigues. Four experimental seaweed farms by MRC have been set up in Mauritius and Rodrigues since November 2011 under the supervision and technical expertise from a resource person from the Institute of Marine Sciences, Zanzibar (Annex 6.2a). Prior to the seaweed farming training, community mapping and a bio-assessment of the seawater will be carried out by MRC. Community mapping is a participatory process of creating maps or visual representations of the intervention community as seen by community members. In this particular case, the research area will be the marine environment and the community members of GSWPFEA (Plate 3). Community mapping will be done in order to identify a potential site for experimental seaweed farming and to seek background data on the marine environment. Plate 3: Potential site for seaweed cultivation Source: MRC It is to be noted that authorization will have to be secured from the respective public body prior to implementation of the seaweed farming activity. A prefeasibility study conducted by MRC, demonstrated that local seaweed resources can be used for a wide range of applications including human consumption, cosmetics, medical and pharmaceutical uses, plant growth promoter/biofertiliser, and animal feed formulation. A number of food products including pickles and jams have been developed with the collaboration of Agricultural Research and Extension Unit (AREU). AREU was responsible to determine the suitability of two local seaweeds Ulva lactuca and Gracilaria salicornia for selected food products. The physico-chemical characterization as well as sensory evaluations of the products have already been undertaken. The project will also consider the potential of producing naturally-based soaps using locally available raw materials that are environment-friendly and inexpensive with view of creating an alternative livelihood for the women. Seaweed soaps (Plate 4) will be designed in different shapes and perfumes with an eco-friendly packaging (for instance, banana leaves or recycled paper) while seaweed liquid soaps will be used in dispensers. Plate 4: Seaweed Soap produced at the UoM The training of GSWPFEA will also involve the following activities for seaweed food-based products: Gracilaria pickles (pure and mixed with fruits/vegetables). Gracilaria jams (pure and mixed with fruits/vegetables). Ulva lactuca as a leafy vegetable Ulva lactuca jam (pure and mixed with fruits). A study will also be conducted on the commercial pot

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