Growing trees is a noble and fruitful deed. Trees add to the beauty of the environment, yield fruits, provide shade, prevent soil erosion and help control carbon dioxide level in the air while emitting life-sustaining oxygen. Mauritian citizens have always seized the opportunity of their favourable climate and fertile soil to plant fruit-bearing trees in their gardens. Yet, tighter working schedules are now impinging adversely on this tradition. Besides, some who cannot care for their plants are having more and more difficulties in affording a gardener or even finding one to do so. It would be regrettable if land availability and exceptional natural conditions were not to be exploited to beautify our gardens and country while producing fresh and healthy fruits.Therefore, an even more aggressive promotion of this activity would be most welcome.

Apart from the numerous facilities already provided by the ministry of Agriculture e.g. supply of affordable plants at its nurseries, greater vigilance and? tighter law and order deterrents might also be of significant help in encouraging people to care for trees.Fruit raiding is nowadays a common feature and the situation seems to be getting worse as the years go by. There is nothing more disappointing than being robbed of the fruits of one?s labour! Branches from which hardly ripe fruits are hanging are nowadays a sure invitation for unscrupulous criminals. Equipped with baskets and sticks they often operate in groups, seizing the slightest opportunity to help themselves heftily from other people?s trees. Peace of mind, safety and even life are compromised by loaded plants. Recently while getting back home, Christophe caught five thieves plucking litchis in his garden. He, in fury, pursued the robbers forgetting he had a heart problem. They managed to run away with their loot leaving two empty trees and anxiety in a family, which have brushed against an unnecessary tragedy! Another man fell down his mango tree following a similar misadventure last year. His security is more important than anything else, he says. Summer time is sleepless time for this old couple from Beau-Bassin. They often hear robbers walking on the roof at night, helping themselves from their litchi trees. It is obvious that the authorities cannot guard each and every property bearing loaded fruit trees but more regular patrols in vulnerable regions and stronger deterrents for this type of crimes might prove definitely helpful. Besides, raiders should be discouraged to sell their loot. The public should therefore boycott fruits from dubious origin. Neighbourhood watch might also help.

Keep Mauritius healthy, green, fruitful and beautiful is a challenge that we cannot afford not to uphold, therefore let?s together keep in check those who are putting it on hold.