News
On 15th February, 12 dedicated members of Friends of Mauritian Wildlife gathered at Mondrain Reserve, nestled on Vacoas Ridge near Henrietta, for a half-day of conservation action. Led one last time by Friends Coordinator Lensley Etienette and Flora Biologist Rameshwar Digumber, the team set out for a series of tasks bringing their contribution to this amazing project.
Mondrain Reserve, a key sanctuary for Mauritius’ endemic flora, is owned by Medine Sugar Estate and is managed by the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF). The reserve, which has seen extensive restoration work over the years, recently expanded by an additional 5 hectares, currently deer pasture. This extension forms part of the “Promoting Climate Change Actions” project funded by the European Union (EU), which aims to engage the local community in conservation efforts, planting 40,000 endemic trees, and develop an ecotourism activity by 2029.
Equipped with tools like hoes, tree poppers, and axes, the volunteers faced the challenging task of tackling invasive species, including the aggressive Chinese guava and privet. These plants are notorious for outcompeting native flora, threatening the delicate biodiversity that Mondrain protects. The team worked efficiently, using their tools to uproot the invaders, and create space for native plants to flourish.
Once the invasive species were cleared, the team carefully prepared the newly freed areas for replanting. They dug holes before placing endemic seedlings into the soil. After planting, they added a protective layer of mulch around each seedling, ensuring that the young trees would retain moisture and thrive in their new environment. Among the species planted were the rare Hibiscus genevii, Syzygium pyneei, and Distephanus populifolius.
The activity ended with a short visit of Mondrain where the participants captured the essence of this reserve and take heed how their contribution will help it thrive for generations to come.
