Development and environmental issues seem difficult to reconcile. Both in Ferney and in St-Felix where the building of roads is going to change the landscape, the prime minister, Paul Bérenger, has brought down the wrath of ecological associations on himself. He has however made it clear that the government intends to go ahead with both projects.

The Ferney valley saga has kept us all in suspense for several weeks. The fight between the authorities and environmental organisations, especially Nature Watch, may finally come to an end? by the force of circumstances. The PM was very clear: the project will not be changed and the South Eastern highway will definitely go through the forest while making sure ?of doing as little damage as possible.?

Paul Bérenger insists that he would be ready to back down if there was any alternative. ?If we could go back five or ten years, we may have done things in a different way.? The problem is that the Mauritian government at that time committed itself to building this highway with the African Development Bank. He somehow seems to be saying that the present government is not to blame for this highway.

Hence, it would be both a financial and ?diplomatic? catastrophe for Mauritius if projects were cancelled now that the construction has already started. Mauritius would lose its credibility at an international level, according to the PM.

No compromise

Of course, Nature Watch members say how disappointed they are in view of this decision, the more so as ?we didn?t have access to the most important areas where endangered species can be found.? But the PM was adamant. He didn?t make any compromise this time and announced the bulldozers will start working in April.

He is now waiting for the report by David Hammond and Susan Laurance, two experts from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, to decide which line to adopt.

The Road Development Authority had proposed two different tracks. The only hope for environmentalists now is that the track chosen is the less lethal for the environment. The answer will be given in less than one week.

In St Felix, where a new road is being built to replace the coast road, the PM also had to face protests by members of the ?Don?t touch our beaches? movement. According to the latter, the road deviation is not a priority.

The idea is to make St Felix a more peaceful area as three new hotels will soon be built along the coast and 72,000 m2 of beach will be used for that purpose. In exchange, the government has announced that the promoters will build a football ground and a centre for the elderly. But the project doesn?t seem to please everyone.