Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Sarah Jane Lebrasse
Published on 2024-02-27 08:25:13
Residents of Flic en Flac are once again at a crossroads, facing environmental challenges after the passage of Cyclone Belal. A concerned citizen, Bernard Perrier, who wrote on behalf of many people in the locality, recently sent a letter to various authorities (Ministry of Tourism, Beach Authority, Rivière Noire District Council) and stakeholders, expressing concerns about the deterioration of the beach in front of the Youth Center.
In March 2020, following a call from residents, the authorities responded promptly by cleaning up the beach, once a dump for old boat carcasses. The Beach Authority committed to daily cleaning, transforming this stretch of coastline into a popular relaxation spot for the community. Residents were happy, saying, “It had become a little corner of paradise again for all users of this beach area, many thanks to all of you! ‘Where there is a will, there is a way,’ said the good old Winston Churchill.”
However, since the passage of Cyclone Belal, the situation has deteriorated. The beach, once accessible by 4×4 vehicles, is now impassable as even 4x4s can get stuck, jeopardizing the safety of users.
An immediate intervention by the authorities is necessary. A large canal nearby distorts the coastline and, before the cyclone, the sea was full of green algae, a previously unknown phenomenon. “Fortunately, with the cyclone, no more green algae, but the beach has become like quicksand where no vehicle can venture,” say the local residents.
The current situation clearly requires an immediate intervention by the authorities. Citizens are calling on the Ministry of Tourism, Beach Authority, Rivière Noire District Council to provide concrete solutions to restore this beach area, which, after commendable efforts of rehabilitation, risks sinking once again into oblivion.
The public nature of the beach is also emphasized, highlighting the urgent need to define a clear status to avoid any future misunderstandings. Distressed residents hope that their plea for help will receive a favorable response from the authorities, so that all users of this little paradise can once again enjoy daily visits without the current obstacles.
The letter addressed to the authorities, the press, and supporters in the West region is imbued with legitimate citizen concerns, resonating as an urgent call to action. The Flic en Flac beach area, once restored, is now at a critical moment for the survival of its environment, requiring an urgent and effective response.
The letter also details the alarming challenges facing this vital coastal area, stretching from Villas Caroline Beach to the Youth Center. The rapid degradation of this coastal stretch raises crucial questions. The central question remains: is it a public or private beach? Or has it turned into an open-air dump?
Complaints mention illegal parking where cars have been replaced by boats, which unload their dolphin cruise waste on the shore with impunity. Boat trailers rust in the sun, abandoned boats litter the sand, forming a sad fleet left to decay since their owners passed away.
Residents also paint a grim picture of campers and skippers turning this beach into their daily playground, where trees silently witness unsightly and unsanitary activities in the open air.
This rapid degradation not only threatens the natural beauty of the beach but also public health, with the formation of an “official pool” for Flic en Flac mosquitoes. This issue is presented with courtesy and concern, urging authorities to respond to legitimate citizen questions: what must be done to preserve our beaches and restore the cleanliness of Flic en Flac?
Residents underscore the urgency of the situation, calling for immediate measures to prevent the spread of epidemics. They appeal for unity, seeking the collaboration of the Ministry of Tourism, Beach Authority, Rivière Noire District Council, Flic en Flac Village Council, and the media. They invoke the Holy Virgin and the Holy Spirit, hoping that men and women of goodwill will rise to work for the well-being of our country and citizens.
Read the original article(French) on Le Mauricien
