On Saturday, March 11th, the Beau Plan team along with other partners came together to officially launch an ambitious and beneficial project for the region: the creation of a “Tiny Forest” in the heart of Bois Rouge.
Smart urban development means putting nature at the center of the city’s development. With benefits such as reducing high temperatures, creating shade, and restoring biodiversity. Nature is essential for our well-being, and its integration is important to build cities that are resilient to the climate challenges of today. This vision is at the core of Novaterra’s plan for Beau Plan.
Driven by this commitment, the city, its stakeholders, and partners officially launched the first step in line with a great vision for the region : the implementation of a “Tiny Forest” in Bois Rouge. In collaboration with the Forestry Services, as well as local communities including residents of the region, students from Greencoast, various NGOs, and representatives from the Pamplemousses District Council, employees from the Terra group gathered near the future sports center of Bois Rouge, surrounded by specialists in endemic botany, to bring this future miniature forest to life. In total, 400 shrubs, plants, and vegetation spread over an area of 200 m2 took root in the heart of the city.
Following this kickoff, Marie-Annick Auguste, CSR Manager of Terra, expressed her pride in the engagement generated by the project stakeholders, stating, “We would like to thank all the participants of this day who came to contribute to the planting of these trees and the creation of a more sustainable future for the region and its communities.”
What is a “Tiny Forest”?
Small but powerful, that’s how one could describe “Tiny Forests”! These small forests, spanning a few hundred square meters, are composed of fast-growing trees, shrubs, plants, and ferns that are endemic and indigenous, with a carbon absorption capacity 10 times higher than that of normal forests. They are forests created by humans to counter the negative impact of systematic urbanization.
Their design is based on a forest management method established in the 1970s by Dr. Akira Miyawaki, a botanist specializing in plant ecology. He dedicated his career to retroactive ecology applied to forest restoration and natural greening of degraded urban or peri-urban soils.
There are currently over 150 “Tiny Forests” around the world, born from a collaboration between individuals, the private sector, and the public sector. Created and maintained by local communities, they not only help mitigate the effects of climate change by improving the quality of their environment but also raise awareness about the importance of nature in the city and reconnect people with nature and its benefits.
Beau Plan follows its green goals
By creating such natural ecosystems, the city is committed to reducing its carbon footprint. Endemic plants through these tiny forests promote the important return of biodiversity to our urban spaces through pockets of greenery scattered throughout the region.
This initiative aligns with Beau Plan’s goal of strengthening its ties with the surrounding communities while raising awareness among residents and users of the region about the importance of nature in the city. “We are very proud of this project, which will create a true natural ecosystem in our region. We thank the Forestry Services for their invaluable assistance. The establishment of this ‘Tiny Forest’ aims to encourage the multiplication of such initiatives across the island, with the goal of building a greener future for Mauritius together,” said Emeric Vigier de Latour, Communications Manager of Novaterra.
This project is both inspiring and innovative, marking a step forward for environmental protection and sustainable development in the region.
