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Written
Answers to Questions - 13 November 2001
MIDLANDS/DUBREUIL/PAVE
CITRON - ROAD REINSTATEMENT
(No. A/83) Mr G. Paya (Second Member for Curepipe and
Midlands) asked the Minister of Public Infrastructure, Land Transport and
Shipping whether in view of the fact that the Midlands/Dubreuil/Pavé Citron
road is in a bad state, he will state if there is any plan to reinstate such
roads for the benefit and convenience of the small planters of Dubreuil,
Midlands, Wootun and 16ème Mile of their daily burden.
Reply:
Part of the road mentioned is Pitel-La Chartreuse Road (B52) which is under the
responsibility of the Road Development Authority. On this stretch of total length 4.8 km, about 3.3 km is in
good state because it was recently resurfaced.
The remaining portion has not been resurfaced yet and frequent patching
is done on it. Because of the
Midlands Dam project the road is being subjected to heavy duty equipment and it
is difficult to maintain it permanently in good condition.
It is proposed to resurface the road after the completion of the Midlands
Dam project next year. (Estimated Cost Rs3.6 m.)
The
other part of the road from junction with Pitel-La Chartreuse Road to Dubreuil
and Pavé Citron is not classified and is therefore under the responsibility of
the Ministry of Local Government. Here
also the road is severely damaged by heavy equipment of the Midlands Dam project
and will have to be rehabilitated because of severe degradation.
BIOTECHNOLOGY - FRAMEWORK, AREAS
COVERED, ETC.
(No.
A/84) Mr M. Chumroo (First Member for Port Louis North and Montagne Longue) asked
the Minister of Agriculture, Food Technology and Natural Resources whether in
regard to biotechnology in Mauritius, he will state -
(a)
the framework within which biotechnology operates;
(b)
the areas presently covered;
(c)
the safety measures that exist; and
(d)
whether he proposes to legislate all matters pertaining thereto.
Reply:
(a) Biotechnology in agriculture encompasses a number of areas including
tissue-culture for mass propagation, molecular disease diagnosis, indexing of
elite planting material and the transgenic technology to engineer new desirable
traits in crop plants, to name just a few of the possibilities.
Recently,
with the emerging importance of integrating a technology based approach to the
mauritian agriculture, a number of institutions within the aegis of the Ministry
of Agriculture, Food Technology and Natural Resources have initiated research
and application of Biotechnology in their respective fields.
Also, at the level of the University of Mauritius, there is ongoing
research work in Biotechnology, this subject being recently incorporated in its
academic curriculum. The MSIRI, on the other hand, has been involved in research
in Biotechnology on sugarcane for since at least five years, with a more
application perspective. This institution has yielded novel sugarcane varieties
with conferred herbicide resistance through genetic engineering.
(b)
The areas of biotechnology presently covered at the level of the
Ministry mainly include mass propagation by tissue-culture of planting material
of fruits and ornamentals (mainly banana, anthurium, gerbera and orchids), plant
disease diagnosis and indexing using modern molecular techniques, and production
of vaccines for the livestock sector.
(c)
As regards existing safety measures, I have been informed that the
necessary precautionary measures and safety rules that are generally applicable
to laboratory work are in-built within the research facilities of the Ministry.
Normal safety measures in laboratories include adequate ventilation,
wearing of overcoats and gloves at all times, use of goggles whenever necessary,
proper handling and storage of toxic chemicals amongst others.
There are, however, different forms of risks posed
by genetically engineered crop plants, which necessitate specific safety
measures prior to release in the open environment.
Research on Genetically Modified Organisms on
sugarcane at the MSIRI is being carried out in strict conformity with
international standards of biosafety. A
proper risk assessment on the environment, human, plant and animal health is
necessary before allowing field trials of any genetically modified plant.
As stated above, the herbicide resistant sugarcane
varieties are the only genetically modified plants produced to date in
Mauritius. Due to the absence of
the appropriate framework for a proper risk assessment and of a legal framework
to support the release of GMOs in the open environment, these genetically
modified sugarcane varieties have been confined to glass greenhouses under
experimentation and have not yet been released for field trials.
(d)
As far as the legislation aspect of Biotechnology is concerned, there are
several developments in course.
(i)
The Ministry is presently working on a Genetically Modified Organisms
Bill to provide for the safe and
responsible importation, exportation, transit, research, production, use and
marketing of genetically modified organisms and any products derived thereof.
(ii)
With emphasis currently laid on the creation of novel varieties of crop
plants with desirable traits (increased yields, improved disease resistance
etc.), provisions will need to be made for Intellectual Property and Patent's
Rights, to safeguard the interest of breeders and the farming community.
The need for such provision will become more pronounced with the coming
into operation of the proposed National Food & Agricultural Biotechnology
Institute. This Ministry has
already submitted proposals to the State Law Office regarding Intellectual
Property Rights to be incorporated in the Plants (Amendment) Bill which is under
preparation.
I
wish to inform my colleagues that the feasibility study on the proposed setting
up of the National Food & Agricultural Biotechnology Institute has already
started on 17 October 2001, and one of the mandates of the Consultant is to
advise on the enabling of the appropriate legal framework to support all future
activities of the Institute.
WETLANDS (COASTAL) - PROTECTION
(No. A/85)
Mr M. Chumroo (First Member for Port Louis North and Montagne Longue)
asked the Minister of Environment whether, in regard to wetlands protection,
especially the coastal wetlands, he will -
(a)
table a list of all existing
wetlands;
(b)
state what measures are being taken to prevent further degradation of
wetlands;
(c)
state the number of contraventions booked by the Police
de l'Environnement with respect
to wetlands, and
(d)
state whether he proposes to introduce a Wetlands Protection Bill and, if
so, when.
Reply:
As regards part (a), the
Ministry of Housing and Lands has conducted a survey and identified forty-two
wetlands in the island of Mauritius, out of which thirty-seven are coastal
wetlands. A list of the wetlands is
at annex A and is being tabled as well.
As
regards part (b), there are a few
tools available for the protection of the wetlands, namely the National Physical
Development Plan (NPDP) and the associated outline schemes, the EIA process and
the declaration of Ramsar sites under the Ramsar Convention 1971.
(i)
The NPDP and the outline schemes contribute significantly in the
protection of wetlands. Wetlands
are defined in the NPDP and the outline schemes elaborate specific policies for
their protection by controlling development thereon. These outline schemes are enforced by the local authorities
and are very strong instruments for the protection of wetlands.
These policies pertain to the filling of wetlands and their development
including the putting up of buildings thereon.
Areas adjacent to wetland are also subject to control.
(ii)
Environment Impact Assessment (EIA).
As
per the Environment Protection Act of 1991, prior to any development of wetlands
an EIA should be submitted to the Department of Environment. Through this mechanism, all the measures, which may avoid,
prevent, change, mitigate or remedy the likely effects of any development of
wetlands are presented in an EIA report which is then assessed by the Ministry
of Environment, thereby preventing any adverse environmental effects and
enabling the protection of these wetlands.
(iii)
The Ramsar Convention
The
Convention on wetlands is an intergovernmental treaty adopted in February 1971.
It is the first of the modern global intergovernmental treaties on
conservation and wise use of wetlands, recognising wetlands as ecosystems that
are extremely important for biodiversity conservation in general and for the
well being of human communities.
This
Convention falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food
Technology and National Resources and Mauritius has acceded to it on 30
September 2001. Mauritius has
already designated the wetland site Rivulet Terre Rouge Estuary Bird Sanctuary for the list of wetlands of International importance with a
view to protecting this area. A
second wetland site namely Bassin Sarcelle located in Poste La Fayette in the
vicinity of Bras d'Eau forest has been proposed to be declared as a reserve
because of its unique biodiversity value and its importance in the coastland
protection.
Following
a request from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Bureau of the Convention on
Wetlands has delegated a consultant to provide technical assistance in the
preparation of the management plan
for the Rivulet Terre Rouge Estuary Bird Santuary and Bassin Sarcelle and advise
on the other Wetlands.
A
one-day working session on wetlands has been organised on 09 November at the
National Parks and Conservation Service of the Ministry of Agriculture.
As
regards part (c) the number of contraventions booked by the Police de
L'Environnement with respect to wetlands.
Any
complaints received on illegal development of wetlands are dealt with by the
Pollution Prevention and Control Division of the Department of Environment.
Upon receipt of complaints, Officers of the Division effect site visits
accompanied in some cases by the Police de
L'Environnement. Seven complaints have been received to date and two cases have
been referred to the State Law Office and are awaiting judicial determination.
As
regards part (d), I am informed
that the introduction of a Wetland Protection Bill is being considered by the
Ministry of Agriculture, Food Technology & Natural Resources.
Flic
and Flac - State land - BENEFICIARIES
(No. A/86) Mr M. Dowarkasing (Third Member for
Curepipe and Midlands) asked the Minister of Housing
and Lands whether, in regard to State land in Flic and Flac, he will –
(a)
give the names of beneficiaries of same during the period of 6 months
immediately preceding the last general election, indicating in each case the
area allocated and the precise location, and
(b)
state the projects for which allocation was made.
Reply :
With regard to State land at Flic
en Flac, a reservation over a plot of an extent of 6750m2 (1A60),
being part of PG Anna (Flic en Flac) situated at a distance of about 230m from
the northern boundary of Klondike hotel has been made in favour of "Osprey
Co. Ltd." on the 07.09.00.
The
State land has been reserved for the purpose of a bungalow complex.
ROBINSON, CAMP CAVAL& TERRE COUPÉ
- SEWERAGE SYSTEM
(No. A/87) Mr M. Dowarkasing (Third Member for
Curepipe and Midlands) asked the Minister of Public
Utilities whether, in view of the fact that the inhabitants of Robinson, Camp
Caval and Terre Coupé are encountering severe sewerage problems, he will state
what remedial measures he proposes to take and the time-limit therefor.
Reply :
I am advised by the Wastewater Management Authority that a recent assessment of
the wastewater disposal systems in the region of Camp
Caval, La Terre Coupée has not revealed any sewerage problem. However,
Government has in furtherance of its policy to provide adequate facilities for
the collection, treatment and disposal of wastewater to the population decided
to extend the sewerage network to all the unsewered pockets in the region of
Curepipe and its immediate surroundings, including Forest Side, St. Paul and Eau
Coulée. In this regard Montgomery Watson has been commissioned to carry out a
detailed survey and prepare a design report for a large scale house connection
programme.
Concurrently,
Government is mobilising, financing for these works. Subject to financing being
mobilised, works in the above mentioned regions could start in early 2003.
In
the meantime, the Wastewater Management Authority will intervene as and when
required.
CAROLINE/PETIT
BOIS - STREET LIGHTING
(No. A/88) Mr R. Daureeawoo (Third Member for
Montagne Blanche and GRSE) asked the Minister of Local
Government and Rodrigues whether, in view of the unavailability of public
transport from Royal Road, Caroline to Petit Bois, he will consider the
advisability of providing street lighting, especially during the hours of
darkness, to ease the thousand or so inhabitants of the area in their daily
life.
Reply :
The responsibility of providing
street lighting on all roads, except on highways, rests with the respective
Municipal or District Council.
I
am advised by the Moka/Flacq District Council that there is currently no street
lighting network along the access road from Caroline to Petit Bois so that no
street lighting could be provided thereat. However, I understand that the
Council is looking into the matter.
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