Economic Development and the Need for Environmental Management in the Island of Mauritius

Abstract

"The economy of Mauritius has already shown signs of environmental stress in resources pertaining to water, the fisheries and forestry. This paper essentially identifies key socio-economic areas, which could possibly account for environmental degradation and subsequently the depletion of natural resources. Such areas warrant careful attention and investigation since they largely determine the sustainability of future exploitation of natural resources and economic growth. We address the issue linking economic development with environmental stress by analysing exclusively, the business community, the household sector and the government, which are all stakeholders in the exploitation of the island’s resources. In fact, it is found that there are several areas, which will require significant government intervention and collaboration of the private sector to harmonize the prudent utilization of resources while making a better Mauritius."