Mauritius became a contracting party to the Ramsar Convention on 30 September 2001.
As a prerequisite to Ramsar Convention, the Government has set up a National Ramsar Committee comprising members from all relevant institutions involved with wetlands to assist the Ministry in implementing the provisions contained in the Ramsar Convention and to advise the Ministry on Wetland development issues.
The Rivulet Terre Rouge Estuary Bird Sanctuary (RTREBS)is the first and only Ramsar wetland in the Mascarenes and acts as an important over wintering ground for migratory birds. Many of these birds come from Europe, Siberia and the Near East. The Sanctuary is world renowned as the only Ramsar site found within a capital city. This site has been proclaimed as a wetland site of international importance due to its coastal estuarine characteristics and refuge for migratory birds.
