The research examines Mauritius’ National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) for the period 2017–2025, addressing key environmental and socio-economic challenges in the context of a Small Island Developing State (SIDS).
Mauritius is a biodiversity hotspot, with over 30% of its flora and fauna being endemic, making the conservation of its ecosystems and species particularly urgent. The NBSAP serves as a strategic framework to combat biodiversity loss, promote sustainable development, and fulfill international commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
Key Objectives and Achievements
The primary goals of the NBSAP include species recovery, habitat restoration, and ecosystem protection, particularly for Mauritius’ threatened terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
Notable successes include the recovery of endangered species like the Pink Pigeon and Echo Parakeet, alongside large-scale habitat restoration projects on offshore islands such as Ile aux Aigrettes and Round Island.
For instance, the Pink Pigeon population, which was nearly extinct in the 1990s, has grown to over 500 individuals due to intensive conservation efforts, crucial for both biodiversity and coastal protection, have also seen progress.
The expansion of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) from 0.1% in 1990 to 6.7% in 2022, although still falling short of international targets, is a significant milestone.
Furthermore, climate change impacts like coral bleaching and rising sea levels threaten these delicate ecosystems, prompting the NBSAP to prioritize coral restoration and the resilience of marine habitats .
Challenges and Lessons
Despite these achievements, the NBSAP faces significant challenges, including financial constraints, limited technical capacity, and bureaucratic inefficiencies. The estimated annual funding gap for protected area management is USD 15 million, which hampers effective biodiversity conservation.
Additionally, the integration of biodiversity into sectors like agriculture, tourism, and infrastructure development remains inconsistent, limiting the broader impact of the NBSAP .
Innovative solutions haplored to address these challenges. For example, the use of advanced monitoring technologies like satellite imagery, environmental DNA (eDNA), and artificial intelligence has been introduced to enhance biodiversity surveillance.
These technologies are expected to improve decision-making, track conservation progress, and support the NBSAP’s objectives more effectively .
The strategy also promotes commitment in conservation, aiming to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and traditional ecological practices. Stakeholder engagement, through both local consultations and national policy dialogues, has been a key feature of the NBSAP’s governance. However, achieving meaningful participation remains challenging, particularly in rural and coastal communities where livelihoods are closely tied to natural resources .
Future Directions
The NBSAP 2017–202ing to incorporate new scientific knowledge, technological advancements, and global environmental priorities. As Mauritius moves towards the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, new financing mechanisms, such as biodiversity offsetting, green bonds, and payments for ecosystem services (PES), are being explored to secure sustainable funding for conservation .
The future of the NBSAP lies in strengthening adaptation frameworks, integrating biodiversity into development planning, and scaling up innovative conservation practices. Mauritius’ approach serves as a model for other SIDS, demonstrating how biodiversity conservation can be aligned with sustainable development goals despite the unique challenges posed by small island states.
Abstract
The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) 2017–2025 of Mauritius serves as an analysis subject because it enhances environmental ecosystems to protect biodiversity while complying with international Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) standards.
The special environmental requirements of Mauritius led the nation to develop a NBSAP strategic plan with biodiversity mainstreaming within main economic sectors and specific recovery programs for species alongside habitat restoration.
Research shows that Mauritius achieved essential progress by expanding its Marine Protected Areas by 6.6% while the Pink Pigeon (Nesoenas mayeri) population grew from mere 10 survivors in 1990 to over 500 during 2020.
The NBSAP struggles to achieve results because it needs to handle three core problems: limited funding of USD 15 million annually and integration challenges spanning both tourism and agricultural industry sectors.
Advanced data acquisition occurs through remote sensing technology and environmental DNA analysis combined with statistical methods yet institutions face difficulties in acquiring enough funds to expand conservation programs.
The research examines adaptive management precision by examining how climate change and invasive species together contribute to coral bleaching which caused 22% coral reef destruction at this location beginning in 2016.
The research demonstrates that debt-for-nature swaps together with biodiversity-linked bonds should be utilised since NBSAP resources prove insufficient. Small Island Developing States (SIDS) biodiversity managers at global and regional levels receive statistical data and policy solutions through this analytical study.
