Absa Mauritius, in collaboration with the Le Morne Heritage Trust Fund and the Forestry Service, has launched a reforestation project at Pas Géométrique Labonté, Le Morne. Through this initiative, Absa aims to plant 12,000 indigenous trees across 15 hectares of native forest, to mitigate climate change impacts and to preserve the rich biodiversity of this UNESCO World Heritage site.
The project aligns with Absa Mauritius' Sustainability strategy and reflects our shared purpose of: "Empowering Africa’s tomorrow together, one story at a time." A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Bank, the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security and the Le Morne Heritage Trust Fund during an official ceremony on Thursday, July 11, 2024. The MoU represents the formal commitment of Absa, the Ministry and the Le Morne Trust Fund to work together in the planting of the 12,000 indigenous trees on the site by the end of 2024. To date, 2,200 trees have been planted by more than 147 Absa colleagues, putting us well on track to reach this ambitious goal.
"This is an exciting project that clearly aligns with our Sustainability strategy and reflects Absa’s commitment to being an active force for good in everything that we do. Mauritius ranks among the most vulnerable countries to climate disasters, ranking 106th out of 193 in the 2023 World Risk Report. Moreover, 89% of the country's endemic plants are classified as being endangered. This reforestation project directly addresses these major concerns by reducing extinction risks and protecting vulnerable ecosystems. It is also part of our broader mission to preserve Africa's natural and cultural heritage," said Nathan Carr, Chief of Staff and Head of Legal at Absa Mauritius.
Mahen Seeruttun, Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security , praised Absa Mauritius during the MoU signing ceremony. "I want to congratulate Absa Mauritius for undertaking such an initiative for the preservation, restoration, and reforestation of the coastal forest. This initiative, undertaken in collaboration with stakeholders and the local community, aims to enhance the landscape of this heritage site with indigenous plant species. It is important to sustainably conserve and manage forest ecosystems for the benefit of current and future generations."
"This collaboration is greatly appreciated as it will contribute to preserving our environment, particularly Pas Géométrique La Bonté, an exceptional site located in Le Morne. This project will help protect and preserve this heritage against the growing threats of climate change, which are becoming increasingly evident," added Jean Claude Jance, President of the Morne Heritage Trust Fund.
Absa Mauritius plans to strengthen its long-term commitment to the reforestation project by engaging its clients, the local community, and employees. The bank intends to support the local community's involvement by collaborating with longstanding NGOs with whom it has worked for several years before and, through its Employee Volunteering Programme, the bank also aims to further encourage its employees to actively participate in this reforestation project.
By forging strong partnerships and undertaking high-impact projects, Absa Mauritius aims to create a lasting positive impact on biodiversity, ecosystems, and the local community for a more sustainable and inclusive future for all.
